Community Equity & Safety
Know Your Rights & Resources
Community Equity & Safety
Know Your Rights & Resources
Community-Minded Enterprises Stands With You.
We recognize the uncertainty and fear that many communities are facing. We want to provide clear, accessible, and reliable resources to help you protect yourself, and your loved ones.
On this page, you will find legal information, social services, and emergency contacts to help you navigate challenges and access support if you need it.
Know Your Rights
If You Are Approached by Immigration Officials or Law Enforcement
If an immigration officer or law enforcement official approaches you, take a deep breath and remember you have rights. Knowing how to respond can help you stay calm and in control.
- You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If asked, you can simply say, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
- You have the right to ask, “Am I free to go?” If the officer says yes, walk away calmly.
- You do not have to consent to a search. Officers can only search your belongings if they have a warrant or probable cause.
If you are not sure what to do, it is okay to remain silent until you can speak with a lawyer.
Stay calm and avoid sudden movements. If you feel nervous, focus on your breathing and remind yourself that you have rights, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
If You or a Loved One Is Detained
If you or a loved one are detained, what you do next matters. Staying focused on your rights can help you navigate the situation.
- Ask to speak with a lawyer immediately. You do not have to go through this alone.
- Do not sign any documents without legal advice. Signing something without understanding it could impact your case.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your legal status, or how you entered the country.
- Tell a trusted friend or family member where you are. They can help connect you with a lawyer.
If Immigration Officers Come to Your Home
It’s natural to feel alarmed if an immigration officer comes to your door, but you still have rights, and you are in control of how you respond.
- You do not have to open the door unless they have a signed warrant from a judge. Ask them to slip it under the door.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer questions.
- Stay calm and do not sign anything before speaking with a lawyer.
If You Are Stopped in Public or at Work
If an officer approaches you outside your home, take a deep breath and remember: you have rights.
- Ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, walk away calmly.
- You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
- Private employers have the right to refuse ICE entry into non-public areas unless ICE presents a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
- If you are detained, stay calm. Say, “I wish to remain silent and speak to a lawyer.”
If You Are Traveling Within the U.S.
Whether you are taking a bus, train, or flight, it’s important to know your rights.
- You do not have to show immigration papers for travel within the U.S.
- Border Patrol can only stop you within 100 miles of a border if they have reasonable suspicion.
- If you are stopped, stay calm and ask if you are free to go.
If Your Children Are at Risk of Being Separated from You
If you have children, you can take simple steps to make sure they are cared for in case of an emergency.
- Designate a trusted person to care for your children in an emergency.
- Prepare a Family Emergency Plan with legal documents in case of detention, and keep it in a safe place.
- Make sure your child’s school knows who is authorized to pick them up.
- Your children have the right to attend school regardless of immigration status.
Click below to access more resources and learn more about your rights
Community-Minded Enterprises Stands With You.
We recognize the uncertainty and fear that many communities are facing. We want to provide clear, accessible, and reliable resources to help you protect yourself, and your loved ones.
On this page, you will find legal information, social services, and emergency contacts to help you navigate challenges and access support if you need it.
Know Your Rights
If You Are Approached by Immigration Officials or Law Enforcement
If an immigration officer or law enforcement official approaches you, take a deep breath and remember you have rights. Knowing how to respond can help you stay calm and in control.
- You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If asked, you can simply say, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
- You have the right to ask, “Am I free to go?” If the officer says yes, walk away calmly.
- You do not have to consent to a search. Officers can only search your belongings if they have a warrant or probable cause.
If you are not sure what to do, it is okay to remain silent until you can speak with a lawyer.
Stay calm and avoid sudden movements. If you feel nervous, focus on your breathing and remind yourself that you have rights, and there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
If You or a Loved One Is Detained
If you or a loved one are detained, what you do next matters. Staying focused on your rights can help you navigate the situation.
- Ask to speak with a lawyer immediately. You do not have to go through this alone.
- Do not sign any documents without legal advice. Signing something without understanding it could impact your case.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your legal status, or how you entered the country.
- Tell a trusted friend or family member where you are. They can help connect you with a lawyer.
If Immigration Officers Come to Your Home
It’s natural to feel alarmed if an immigration officer comes to your door, but you still have rights, and you are in control of how you respond.
- You do not have to open the door unless they have a signed warrant from a judge. Ask them to slip it under the door.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer questions.
- Stay calm and do not sign anything before speaking with a lawyer.
If You Are Stopped in Public or at Work
If an officer approaches you outside your home, take a deep breath and remember: you have rights.
- Ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, walk away calmly.
- You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
- Private employers have the right to refuse ICE entry into non-public areas unless ICE presents a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
- If you are detained, stay calm. Say, “I wish to remain silent and speak to a lawyer.”
If You Are Traveling Within the U.S.
Whether you are taking a bus, train, or flight, it’s important to know your rights.
- You do not have to show immigration papers for travel within the U.S.
- Border Patrol can only stop you within 100 miles of a border if they have reasonable suspicion.
- If you are stopped, stay calm and ask if you are free to go.
If Your Children Are at Risk of Being Separated from You
If you have children, you can take simple steps to make sure they are cared for in case of an emergency.
- Designate a trusted person to care for your children in an emergency.
- Prepare a Family Emergency Plan with legal documents in case of detention, and keep it in a safe place.
- Make sure your child’s school knows who is authorized to pick them up.
- Your children have the right to attend school regardless of immigration status.
Click below to access more resources and learn more about your rights
If You Are Stopped,
This Card Can Help.
A Red Card is a small, printable card that helps you assert your legal rights. You can hand it to an officer instead of speaking to protect yourself from self-incrimination.
How It Works
- The card explains your rights under the U.S. Constitution.
- It lets officers know that you wish to remain silent and will not answer questions without a lawyer.
- It can be used anywhere: at home, at work, in public, or during an immigration stop.
Remember: You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If stopped, you can hand over the card and remain silent.
Red Cards are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, and more!
If You Are Stopped,
This Card Can Help.
A Red Card is a small, printable card that helps you assert your legal rights. You can hand it to an officer instead of speaking to protect yourself from self-incrimination.
How It Works
- The card explains your rights under the U.S. Constitution.
- It lets officers know that you wish to remain silent and will not answer questions without a lawyer.
- It can be used anywhere: at home, at work, in public, or during an immigration stop.
Remember: You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. If stopped, you can hand over the card and remain silent.
Red Cards are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, and more!
Community & Social Resources
Safety Planning
Immigrant Safety Plan for Youth and Children (English & Spanish) →
This resource from Project Access Northwest helps parents in Washington State prepare for the care of their children in case they are unable to do so, particularly due to detention or deportation.
U.S Commitee for Refugees and Immigrants
Know Your Rights Guide
The Know Your Rights guide contains information on your rights when law enforcement stops you on the street, comes to your home, stops you in your vehicle, and comes to your workplace.
Click Here for English Guide →
Click Here for Spanish Guide →
Know Your Rights Wallet Sized Guide
Click Here for English Guide →
Click Here for Haitian Creole Guide →
Click Here for Spanish Guide →
Click Here for Dari Guide →
Click Here for Pashto Guide →
Safety Planning Document
The Safety Planning document is a guide to prepare for immigration enforcement arrests and detentions. It contains tips on safety, medical needs, financial planning, childcare, keeping records safe, and legal assistance.
Click Here for English →
Click Here for Haitian Creole →
Click Here for Spanish →
Click Here for Arabic →
Click Here for Dari →
Click Here for Pashto →
Parent & Caregiver Resources
Talking About Deportation and Immigration with Children →
Age-specific advice on how to discuss deportation and immigration with children, offering metaphors and examples to help explain these concepts.
Traumatic Separation and Refugee and Immigrant Children: Tips for Current Caregivers →
Tips for current caregivers and providers to help address the needs of immigrant and refugee children who have experienced traumatic separation. This tipsheet discusses the impact of sudden, chaotic, or unpredictable separation from parents and siblings including depression, anxiety, or separation-related traumatic stress symptoms. it also outlines what children of different ages might be experiencing and how caregivers and others can help.
Preserving Family Unity and Protecting Parental Rights When Facing Deportation →
This guide from the Women’s Refugee Commission helps parents and caregivers understand what to do if a loved one is detained by immigration authorities. It provides clear, step-by-step instructions on navigating the detention process, preparing children for possible separation, and accessing legal and emotional support. The guide also includes practical tips for advocating for detained family members and ensuring children remain safe and cared for during uncertain times.
Resources for Educators
How Educators Can Support Immigrant Students →
This resource from the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) provides practical strategies for educators to create a supportive and inclusive environment for immigrant students. It covers how to address the unique challenges these students face, ensure their safety in schools, and advocate for their rights.
Traumatic Separation and Refugee and Immigrant Children: Tips for Current Caregivers →
Tips for current caregivers and providers to help address the needs of immigrant and refugee children who have experienced traumatic separation. This tipsheet discusses the impact of sudden, chaotic, or unpredictable separation from parents and siblings including depression, anxiety, or separation-related traumatic stress symptoms. it also outlines what children of different ages might be experiencing and how caregivers and others can help.
Resources for Employers
What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace →
This guide, developed by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) in collaboration with the National Employment Law Project (NELP), provides practical advice for employers on how to prepare for and respond to immigration enforcement actions at the workplace. It covers topics such as understanding Form I-9 audits, developing a response plan, and training staff on their rights and responsibilities.
What to do if ICE raids your establishment →
The Washington Hospitality Association provides a set of resources to help employers prepare for and respond to potential ICE raids, including how to prepare for a potential ICE raid.
Legal Resources
Manzanita House→
National Immigration Law Center →
Northwest Immigration Rights Project →
Washington State Office of the Attorney General →
ACLU of Washington →
Preserving Family Unity and Protecting Parental Rights When Facing Deportation →
This guide from the Women’s Refugee Commission helps parents and caregivers understand what to do if a loved one is detained by immigration authorities. It provides clear, step-by-step instructions on navigating the detention process, preparing children for possible separation, and accessing legal and emotional support. The guide also includes practical tips for advocating for detained family members and ensuring children remain safe and cared for during uncertain times.
Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond
This factsheet clarifies immigration enforcement and subpoena powers and what to do in response to receiving an immigration warrant or subpoena.
Immigrant Students and Schools
This resource, created in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, United We Dream, and the Center for Law and Social Policy, provides guidance for families to prepare for a potential immigration raid, including steps like identifying local nonprofits offering legal support, obtaining a “Know Your Rights” card, and creating a family emergency plan.
Protecting Our Students
Immigrant rights regarding access to public K-12 education, protections for student information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and provides guidance for students and families if ICE authorities come to their homes.