Speaking To Immigration Authorities

Your Rights When Speaking To Immigration Authorities

Being stopped by immigration authorities is a daunting experience. Law enforcement officers approach the situation with the upper hand because they know that you may not understand your rights, allowing them to stretch their actions to the legal limit.

Agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) all employ officers at a variety of locations, including highway border crossings, Amtrak trains, seaports and airports.

What To Do When Speaking With Authorities

As an experienced immigration attorney, Stacer, PLC, has seen the techniques officers use to coerce immigrants into giving up their rights when detained. It is vital to remember that, even as an immigrant, you are still entitled to due process as the U.S. Constitution permits.

When speaking with immigration authorities, you have the following rights:

• You can remain silent. You don’t have to tell them anything except to ask for a lawyer.
• Don’t sign anything. Officers may use fine print and confusing language to coerce you into signing documents that waive your right to a hearing.
• Don’t lie. While it is important to protect yourself, you can also get in trouble for lying to the authorities related to your activities or identity.