The new Trump administration has revoked previous guidelines prohibiting enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in “sensitive areas.” These sensitive areas include churches, schools, and hospitals. 

Despite recent policy change, protections do exist if you are or may be targeted by ICE.

Who Is at Risk?

According to ice.gov, ICE can detain any non-citizens if the agency believes that they are violating their immigration status (criminal acts, visa violations, or public safety threats). Most raids target individuals with prior deportation orders due to these violations. 

You can check if you have a deportation order by calling the Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180, available in both English and Spanish. You will be prompted to enter your Alien Number (A-Number), found in any notice or paper the Department of Homeland Security has sent you. A-Numbers begin with the letter A, followed by nine numbers; some older numbers will only have eight numbers, in which case simply add a 0 to the front of your number.

ICE may also have your address or contact information if you’ve been arrested, had your fingerprints taken by the police, sent an application to Immigration, have a pending criminal case, or are on probation or parole for any offense, including driving without a license. 

How to Prepare

If you have the means, meeting with a lawyer to discuss your immigration options is the best way to protect yourself from ICE. You may be eligible to apply for citizenship, a green card, or a visa. 

Make a plan for what to do in case of a raid. Make a childcare plan, and collect important documents. 

Carry these important documents with you:

• your wallet size ‘red card’ reminding you of your rights
• your lawyer’s business card
• any proof of at least two years residence 
• any approval notices from Immigration, such as a work permit, visa, or green card. If your green card is expired, carry the expired card and the receipt for the requested new one. 

Proof of residency can be any document with your name, address, and a date establishing that you’ve lived in the US for at least two years. Insurance, bills, rent, or school records are all ways to prove residency. 

If ICE Stops You

If you are stopped while driving, show your driver’s license, registration, and insurance. You have the right to refuse consent to a search of your belongings and your car unless ICE has a warrant. If ICE has reasonable suspicion that evidence of a crime is in your car, they may still search it. 

ICE needs a judicial warrant with a judge’s signature, your name, and your address in order to enter your house or apartment.  ICE cannot force a landlord to open your door. You do not have to open the door unless they have the warrant.  Ask them to hold it up to the window or slide it under the door. If they force their way in, repeat that you do not consent to their entry and want them to leave.

ICE is only allowed to arrest you in a public place if they have any sort of warrant with your name on it. ICE also needs a warrant or consent from your employer to enter your workplace; employers may deny ICE access if they do not have a search or arrest warrant.

If you are stopped by ICE, ask if you are free to leave. If you are not free to leave, ask if you are being detained. If you are not being detained, you can leave.

At all times, remain calm, and do not run, argue, or otherwise obstruct the officer.

If ICE Comes to School

The Federal Education Records Protection Act (FERPA law) prohibits schools from releasing any information about students to anyone who comes to school.  According to the law, schools cannot even confirm that a particular student attends that school, unless the person asking is a custodial parent.

According to AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks’ January 24, 2025 statement, all AAPS staff will be informed of and comply with FERPA law, not offering any information on students, including the fact that they may/may not attend a school. Staff must comply with FERPA law unless ICE has parental consent or a judicial order.

If ICE does have the paperwork or consent to enter a school and gain information about a particular student, the student may respond in accordance with any public space rights.

If You Are Detained

If you are detained, you have the following rights: the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to freely make a phone call, including to your consulate or the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. In order to invoke these rights, simply state that you are invoking them.

Do not talk to the police without an attorney present. Do not lie to the police. You have the right to refuse to sign any papers without speaking to your lawyer. Additionally, if you are a minor, do not speak to any authorities or sign any papers with both a lawyer and parental guardian present.

Nonprofit Organizations That Can Offer Support

• WICIR Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights
• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
• Michigan Support Circle (to coordinate needs for families) – Facebook Group
• National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild
• Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Note: Much of the information in this article was gathered from www.michiganimmigrant.org and then fact checked by Skyline Post staff.