If you are an immigrant, getting a visit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency can be a frightening experience, particularly because they can make arrests. If you have not had such an encounter yet, taking steps to be prepare yourself for an interaction can help protect you and your loved ones. Use the following information to better understand what you can do if approached by ICE agents.

Know Whether They Might Attempt to Detain You

First, you need to know if ICE agents would even want to speak with you or a relative; you might be fearing something that will not happen. Generally, if you are in the country legally, ICE may want to detain you because of a prior felony conviction that could trigger deportation proceedings. If you are an undocumented immigrant, you might be sought out for deportation for any reason. If you are in the country legally and have had no problem with the law, you are unlikely to get a visit from ICE agents.

Ask to See a Warrant

Without a warrant to do so, ICE agents are not legally able to enter your home or search it, even though they might try to convince you otherwise. Ask them to produce a warrant; if they do not and proceed to go into the house and start searching, say clearly that you do not consent to those actions. Your declaration will not stop them, but this might help you later during your hearing, as any searches could be found unlawful.

If the agents do produce a warrant, check to see that it is signed by a local judge and not an ICE agent.

Notify Them of Children, Elderly People and Any Medical Conditions

If ICE agents enter your home, the first thing you need to do is to tell them about any children that are present. You should also tell them about elderly relatives and anyone who is ill. While they may still attempt to make an arrest, their conduct might shift in light of the situation and they may be more accommodating to the others inside the house.

Don't Be Dishonest

You might be so nervous when you're approached by ICE agents that you might feel an urge to lie about your identity or make statements that aren't true in an effort to get them to leave. However, if you are dishonest, that could cause major problems for you in court. Instead, make it known that you do not want to answer questions and say nothing more until you speak to an attorney.

Now that you've got more information about how to act when confronted by ICE agents, share the tips above with your loved ones. Consult an immigrant defense lawyer to get more ideas about you can protect yourself and your family. Contact a firm like Hanover Law, P.C. for more information.

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