LOVE your IMMIGRANT Neighbor: Practical steps to support undocumented citizens and build community. 4th Blog of 4

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me" -Matthew 25:31-40

FOURTH OF FOUR BLOGS: Explain to your immigrant neighbor that they have rights regardless of their immigration status.
You are an advocate! You have created a relationship with an undocumented member of your community. You have even helped them organize their legal documents. Now it is time again to remind your undocumented neighbor that they do have rights, even though in this current political environment it feels like they do not. Teach them the following:

Know Your Rights: The ACLU emphasizes that regardless of immigration status, individuals have constitutional rights, including the right to due process, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, and protection from discrimination.
 
Your rights:

• You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents, or other officials. Anything you tell an officer can later be used against you in immigration court.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen and an immigration agent requests your immigration papers, you must show them if you have them with you.
• If an immigration agent asks if they can search you, you have the right to say no. Agents do not have the right to search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause.
• If you’re over 18, carry your papers with you at all times. If you don’t have them, tell the officer that you want to remain silent, or that you want to consult a lawyer before answering any questions.

Don't be afraid to exercise your rights: If you are approached by law enforcement, you have the right to remain silent, to ask for an attorney, and to refuse to answer questions that could incriminate you. 

How to reduce risk to yourself if a law enforcement agent asks about your immigration status:

• Stay calm. Don’t run, argue, resist, or obstruct the officer, even if you believe your rights are being violated. Keep your hands where the police can see them.
• Don’t lie about your status or provide false documents.

• If you are driving and are pulled over, the officer can require you to show your license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance, but you don’t have to answer questions about your immigration status.

Additional resources

• If you need more information, contact your local ACLU affiliate. 
• National Immigration Law Center: Know Your Rights
• A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• ACLU VIDEO: What to do if stopped by police or ICE

Together, we can confront this moment. We can defend our values. We can assert our power. We can protect our community. God, and time, are on our side.