Your rights and your safety: resources for understanding immigration law
In the last few weeks, more communities than ever nationwide have been forced to navigate the complex world of immigration law rather suddenly. It’s clear that this system can be overwhelming, especially in the face of increased enforcement and confusion around decades-old policies.
While the changes may seem unpredictable, and lead to a sense of uncertainty — not just for individuals who are perceived as unregistered migrants to the United States, but for entire communities — we know there is power in knowledge, preparation, and empathy for our neighbors.
This post is designed to provide up-to-date, practical resources to help you feel informed, empowered, and protected.
We believe that together, we can ensure our communities are safe, supportive, and inclusive — so let’s get to work.
Your rights: where to find them, and how to protect them:
Know your rights during an ICE encounter. Plan ahead. Know what you will do or say if you are approached by immigration officials. Here’s a comprehensive guide on your rights during these interactions from the ACLU.
How to respond if ICE comes to your home. There are ways to safely navigate an encounter in your home, even if you feel uncertain or anxious. Check out the information available from the Immigrant Defense Project here.
Know your workplace rights. Of course, you should find out what policies your workplace has, if any, for interactions with immigration enforcement. However, this resource from the National Immigration Law Center also provides real-time updates on current best practices.
Print and share "Know Your Rights" cards: Carry one of these cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center with you, and use it if you’re stopped by the authorities. If you are able, print several and share them with the folks in your community who may not otherwise have access.
Know your rights as a non-citizen. For both citizens and non-citizens alike, it’s important to know what protections exist for documented and undocumented immigrants in the United States. Learn more with this guide from United We Dream.
Remember, there are ways to find local legal assistance. When in doubt, connect with local attorneys and legal advocates. Depending on where you live, there are countless free or low-cost resources only a web search away. Use a directory like this from FindLaw.com or others like LawHelp.org.
Your community: engage locally, advocate nationally:
Do you have a local rapid-response network? In most cities around the country, local groups are already supporting individuals facing immigration enforcement. We recommend searching local forums and trusted news sources, and then get involved!
Is your community a safe space? Learn what the policies are for your most-visited places: work, school, your local stores and community groups. Look into whether you have existing sanctuary policies, and more importantly, find out what you can do to ensure the rights of your community members are protected.
Can you support local advocacy work? Many grassroots organizations may already exist in your area that can help you understand how to support the initiatives you are aligned with. Get started by checking out these advocacy maps from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
Are you aware of or engaged in national policy-making? Take action to influence immigration policy with tools from the American Immigration Council.
Have you reached out to your elected officials? Your vote counts, and not just every four years. Your elected officials are public servants, and are legally required to have publicly available ways to contact their offices. Don’t hesitate — reach out to them and advocate for the policies you believe make your community safer, supportive, and more inclusive.
We’ve got your back.
Are there other resources you think should be added to our list? Contact us at marketing@turnsignl.com.
At TurnSignl, we are committed to addressing the inequities our society faces in access to justice. Join us in our pledge to increase awareness of this problem, provide resources where we can, and grow the movement for social justice.
