Know Your Rights - NYC MEA NYC Managerial Employees Association: The ONLY Advocates for Managers.

As officers from the federal government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency have been conducting a number of raids in the New York City area, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has put out guidance to help New Yorkers understand what their rights are when confronted by an ICE official.

If ICE is at your door, you do not need to open it – unless they can provide you with a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
Without opening the door, ask them to identify themself with ID through the peep hole, under the door, or through a window.
Without opening the door, ask them to provide a signed warrant – from a federal judge – under the door, or through a window.
If they are ICE agents with a signed warrant – from a federal judge, you will need to comply.
If they are ICE agents and do not have signed warrant – from a federal judge, you do not need to open the door and can tell them you do not wish to speak with them; you have the right to remain silent.

If ICE is looking for someone not in your home, you do not need to speak with them. While you do not need to tell them where the person is located, do not provide them with false information, as that can put you at risk. Remember, you have the right to remain silent.

If ICE enters your home without permission, you can tell them that you do not consent to their search; this may not end the search, however, it can help in any future legal case. You can alert the officers of any vulnerable people- such as children- in the home. Remember, you have the right to remain silent.

Note that in the case of an emergency, like a threat to public safety, ICE may enter your home without your permission. Remember, you have the right to remain silent.

If ICE comes to your workplace, note that they may enter any public space (this includes locations such as an office lobby or store) without requiring a warrant. They may not enter private workspaces (those spaces only employees have access to) without a warrant or the permission of your employer. Employers can ask ICE to provide identification and/or a warrant. Remember that you have the right to remain silent when confronted by ICE in the public areas of your workplace.

At no point should you engage in any physical altercation with a law enforcement officer.

For further guidance on how to handle an interaction with an ICE agent, see the guide, which can be found in multiple languages, here.