Everyone in the United States has certain rights, regardless of immigration status.
Understanding these rights can help individuals and families stay safe and make informed decisions during encounters with immigration enforcement.
The information below is intended to provide basic educational guidance.
For legal advice, contact a qualified immigration attorney.
Download the complete Michigan Community Safety Guide for additional resources
and local support organizations.
You have the right to remain silent.
You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status
or where you were born.
You have the right to ask for a lawyer before answering questions.
You have the right to refuse a search of your home unless officers have
a valid warrant signed by a judge.
You have the right to speak with a lawyer if you are detained.
Do not open the door unless officers show a valid warrant signed by a judge.
Ask officers to slide the warrant under the door or hold it up to a window.
A valid warrant must include:
• Your name and address
• A judge's signature
If the document does not contain a judge’s signature, you are not required to open the door.
Remain calm and avoid confrontation.
You have the right to remain silent.
You can ask:
“Am I free to leave?”
If the officer says yes, you may calmly walk away.
If you are detained, you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.
Remain calm and do not run.
You have the right to remain silent.
Do not present false documents.
You have the right to ask if you are free to leave.
If you are detained, ask to speak with a lawyer before answering questions.
Do not carry false documents.
Do not sign documents you do not understand.
Always ask for a lawyer if you are detained.
Share this information with trusted family members so everyone knows what to do during an encounter.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified immigration attorney or legal aid organization.
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