Know Your Rights
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. County Agencies will not ask about your immigration status to support federal immigration enforcement. Use the resources below to learn how to protect your rights if you encounter ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) or law enforcement (police). The rights described in the resources below apply to both U.S. citizens and immigrants.
For more information on how you and your family can be prepared in case of a possible ICE detention or deportation, visit our Family Preparedness page.
Guides
These guides will help you be prepared if you encounter ICE (what to expect, what to do, what to say, etc.)- CASA de Maryland: Guide in English , French , and Spanish.
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: "Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE" in English and Spanish.
- USAHello: 2025 Immigrant Guide to be prepared for immigration policy changes
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Guide in English and Spanish.
Cards
Cards that can be cut out and carried in your wallet.- The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has developed a wallet-sized card that states your rights. These are often referred to as "Red Cards." You can order cards directly from ILRC or print them at hime.
- They are available in 52 langauges. The full list can be found here.
- Available languages include: Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Khmer, Korean, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
- Catholic Legal Immigration Clinic cards in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Flyers
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) flyers explain your rights in various places and situations.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association: Know Your Rights if ICE visits Your Home. Flyer in English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Tagalog, Chinese.
- National Immigration Law Center: Five Things Parents Detained by ICE Should Know: Two-page flyer in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.
- United We Dream.
- Immigrant Defense Project Know Your Rights flyer explains who is at risk of an ICE arrest and your rights when interacting with an ICE officer.
- Flyers in Arabic, Bangla, Chinese ( Simplified and Traditional), English, French, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
- National Immigrant Justice Center has know your rights information on various topics:
- What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained (pdf)
- Also available in Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish
- Know Your Rights: ICE at Immigration Court (English and Spanish)
- What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained (pdf)
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE ( English) ( Spanish)
Tools
Hotlines and Numbers to call
- Casa: Dial 1-888-214-6016 to report any ICE activity.
Apps
Notify your contacts if you are picked up by ICE.- Know Your Rights 4 Immigrant app: Know Your Rights information, notify your contacts, family preparedness, and more.
Videos
- Ayuda - Project End: Information to protect yourself against immigration scams
- ACLU and Partner Organizations: "We Have Rights" Videos that show real-life situations with ICE and law enforcement in English , Spanish , French , Arabic , Chinese , Haitian Creole , Russian , and Urdu (subtitles available)
- African Communities Together: Know Your Rights Videos in French, Amharic, Tigrinya, Bambara, Wolof, Arabic, Afaan, Swahili, Soninke, Fulani