What to Do If ICE Shows Up at Your Home or Workplace

If there is a knock at your door and someone announces immigration enforcement, your heart may start racing. For many immigrants, an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a terrifying prospect — and it is a reality that thousands of families in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and across the country face every year.

Knowing your rights before something happens can make all the difference. This guide explains what to do if ICE shows up at your home or workplace, what you are legally allowed to say and do, and why having a deportation defense attorney on your side matters.

You Have Rights Regardless of Immigration Status

One of the most important things to understand is that everyone in the United States has constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status. These rights do not disappear because ICE is at the door.

Your key rights include the right to remain silent — you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country. You have the right to refuse entry unless ICE has a judicial warrant signed by a judge (an administrative ICE warrant is not the same thing). And you have the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions.

These rights exist whether you are documented or undocumented, and knowing them can protect you and your family.

What to Do If ICE Comes to Your Home

Do not open the door. Ask them to slip any paperwork under the door or hold it up to a window. If they claim to have a warrant, verify it is signed by a judge and lists your correct address.

Remain calm and stay silent. You do not need to answer questions about where you are from, how long you have been in the US, or your legal status. You may say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."

Do not sign anything. ICE agents may present documents for you to sign. Do not sign anything without first speaking to an immigration attorney.

Document everything. Write down the names and badge numbers of the officers and what was said. If you are in a public space, you may be able to record the encounter.

Contact an immigration attorney immediately. This is one of the most important steps you can take. An experienced deportation defense attorney can advise you on your options, contact ICE on your behalf, and work to prevent removal.

What to Do If ICE Approaches You at Work

Employers do not have the right to allow ICE access to non-public areas without a judicial warrant. If you are at work and ICE arrives, you still have the same rights. Try to step away and contact an attorney before answering any questions. If your employer is cooperating with ICE, know that you can still choose to remain silent and request legal representation.

What NOT to Do During an ICE Encounter

Do not run, as this can be used against you. Do not provide false information, as lying to immigration officers can be a criminal offense. Do not consent to a search of your home without a judicial warrant. And do not sign voluntary departure forms or any other documents without legal advice — signing a voluntary departure form can waive your rights to a hearing and accelerate your removal.

What Happens If You Are Detained?

If ICE detains you, you will likely be taken to an ICE detention facility. From there, you may have a bond hearing where an immigration judge determines whether you can be released. An experienced deportation defense attorney can argue for a reasonable bond amount or for release on supervision.

From detention, removal proceedings may begin. There are multiple legal strategies available to fight removal, including cancellation of removal, asylum claims, adjustment of status, and challenging the government's evidence. Learn more on our deportation defense page.

Prepare Before It Happens

The best time to prepare for an ICE encounter is before it happens. Carry a Know Your Rights card at all times with your attorney's phone number. Create a safety plan with your family, including who to call and what to do. Keep copies of all immigration documents in a secure place. If you have U.S. citizen children, prepare a document authorizing a trusted adult to care for them if you are detained.

Consult with an immigration attorney now so you understand your current status and options. Being prepared can dramatically change the outcome of an encounter.

How Fibi Law Can Help

At Fibi Law, we understand the fear that comes with an ICE encounter. Our deportation defense attorneys serve immigrant communities across New York, the Bronx, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, and we are ready to act quickly when you need us.

Whether you need emergency representation after a detention, guidance to understand your rights, or legal help preparing a defense before removal proceedings begin, our team can guide you through the process with compassion and determination.

Do not wait until the knock comes. Reach out to Fibi Law today to schedule a confidential consultation and make sure you and your family are protected.