Know Your Rights
It’s important for you to be aware of the rights you have in the US as an international student or scholar: the rights for US citizens and permanent residents are not the same as rights for people in non-immigrant statuses such as F-1 and F-2 or J-1 and J-2.
Please note, content on this page is not intended as legal advice. For further guidance, we recommend you consult with an attorney.
Upcoming Know Your Rights Workshops
- Loading...
Previously Recorded Know Your Rights Webinars
If there is no workshop above or those listed do not work with your schedule, check our recorded workshops page to view a previously recorded Know Your Rights workshop.
Who is at greatest risk for being targeted by law enforcement officials within the US?
The Immigrant Defense Project has highlighted that people who are removable under immigration law are those at greatest risk: people present in the US after being ordered removed, people without lawful immigration status, and people with lawful immigration status who have certain criminal priors.
- See their Know Your Rights with ICE flyer (available in multiple languages) for more details.
- See also their expanded booklet on rights and scripts, detailing trends in enforcement, that you can use to better prepare yourself for any encounter with law enforcement officials in public or at your place of residence.
If you are stopped for questioning with the US...
You have the right to remain silent
The Immigrant Defense Project has provided these recommendations:
- If you are choosing to remain silent, they suggest you tell the officer that you are exercising this right by saying “I don’t want to answer any questions without a lawyer.” They also recommend for you to remain silent or continue to repeat “I don’t want to answer any questions without a lawyer” even if they keep asking you questions.
- They suggest you also ask if you are free to leave. If law enforcement officials say yes, then leave.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer
- The ACLU recommends that you ask for a list of free or low-cost legal services if you do not have an attorney and that you not sign anything without first talking to a lawyer.
You have the right to refuse search
The ACLU has provided further clarification on this right :
- You do not have to consent to a search of you or your belongings but the ACLU highlights that “if you are not a US citizen and an immigration agent requests your immigration papers, you must show them if you have them with you. They recommend you carry your immigration documents with you at all times.
- Also, an officer may pat you down if you are suspected of carrying a weapon, so the ACLU recommends you keep your hands where an officer could see them.
You have the right to refuse entry
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) emphasizes that an officer only has the right to enter your place of residence if they have a search warrant. If they do have a warrant, AILA recommends you ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window. A search warrant is only valid if it has the correct name, correct address, and a judge’s signature.
- If you are presented with a valid search warrant, if possible, take a picture of the document.
- Tell the officer if you are exercising this right and they have no search warrant with a judge’s signature: say “I do not consent to you entering my home."
If you are stopped at a border when entering the US...
An officer generally can ask about citizenship, your travel itinerary, and they can search you bags
See the ACLU information on What to Do When Encountering Law Enforcement at Airports and Other Ports of Entry into the US
- If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you may be denied entry if you refuse to answer any question. However, there are many questions that you are not required to answer. See this ACLU information to better understand which questions you must answer and which questions you do not have to answer.
- The ACLU highlights that an officer cannot perform any stops, searches, detentions, or removals based on religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
Concerning electronic devices
- Agents can confiscate your device and they may keep it. If this happens, the ACLU recommends for you to get a receipt with information about your device and contact information of the officer who has confiscated your possessions for you to follow up (see this ACLU travel FAQs page and their article on electronic devices at the border for further details).
- The ACLU also emphasizes that if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you may be denied entry if you refuse to provide your password. If you are unsure what to do, they recommend you speak to a lawyer before traveling.
If you feel your rights have been violated...
The ACLU advises that you:
- Not physically resist or threaten any officer.
- Write down everything you can remember, get contact information from witnesses, and take photographs of any injuries as soon as possible after the interaction.
- File a written complaint with the agency’s complaint board.
Sources
- ACLU Know Your Rights information
- ACLU Know Your Rights booklet (with FAQs on situations involving questioning, stops and arrests, searches and warrants, and a special section for non-citizens of the US)
- Immigrant Defense Project, in partnership with the Center for Constitutional Rights and Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) Train the Trainer Workshop.
- AILA Know Your Rights: If ICE Visits Your Home flyer
- ACLU Know Your Rights: What to Do When Encountering Law Enforcement at Airports and Other Ports of Entry into the US
Extra Resources
- Effect of Arrest on Immigration Status
- NYU Immigrant Defense Initiative
- NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic Community Resources
- NYU Bias Response Line
- Tips for Surviving in a Time of Immigration Uncertainty
- ACLU Know Your Rights Feature: Discrimination against Immigrants and Muslims
- ACLU article: Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices? It’s Complicated.