May 29, 2025
Know Your Rights During an ICE Raid at Work
This blog provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. For personalized guidance, speak with an immigration attorney.
All workers have rights. Know them and stand up for them!
You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions without legal counsel.
You have the right to contact an attorney or the consulate of your home country.
You have the right to make a phone call if you are detained.
You have the right to record videos or take photos of the encounter, as long as it doesn’t interfere with an arrest.
Remember:
The most important thing during a raid is to stay calm. Running may give officers a reason to detain you.
To enter areas designated for employees only—such as kitchens, offices, restricted or non-public spaces—immigration agents must have a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
Providing false documents or information is a crime.
It’s helpful to document what happened during the raid, including details about the officers involved. Useful information might include:
What time did it happen?
Where?
How many officers were there?
What agencies were they from (HSI, CBP, local police, etc.)?
Were there any arrests?
Try to note names or physical descriptions of the officers, badge numbers, and license plate numbers.
Additional Tips:
Get Ready and Get Organized at Work!
Talk to your coworkers. If possible, share information about their rights.
If your workplace has a union, contact a representative to develop a response plan for raids to ensure the safety and well-being of all workers.
If a loved one is detained, you can try to locate them at locator.ice.gov.
Learn more about your rights during encounters with ICE here.
If you have questions about your rights at work, you can contact the Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc. (CDM) at 1-667-217-5738 (from the U.S.) or 55 9661 6771 (from Mexico).