Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will arrive in Chicago to enact several deportations of undocumented people, as reported by ABC7 and other local outlets, starting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, through the rest of the week.
NEIU has a large presence of undocumented students who create a diverse campus community, making our university as welcoming as it is. With creative expressions like Ensemble Espanol and success programs such as Proyecto Pa’lante, our university has become a safe space for all students.
With them coming this week, the Independent has created this resource guide on how you can protect yourself from an encounter with ICE.
Everyone has constitutional rights, regardless of citizenship status.
1. Create a safety plan
- Identify your emergency contacts and memorize their numbers.
- Update the emergency contact information for your child’s daycare/school with written authorization for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child.
- Inform your loved ones to use this link to locate you in case you are detained by ICE: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
- Read more about guardianship considerations for immigrants in Illinois (PDF). Read more about guardianship considerations for immigrants in Indiana (PDF).
2. Defend your rights
Remember you have the right to remain silent. It is imperative you remain calm and collected, no matter how scary the situation is:
- DO NOT run, argue or fight, even if you believe you are being wrongly prosecuted. Be sure the officer can see your hands and avoid quick movements. Inform the officer if you are reaching for your glove box or pocket for your documents.
- Don’t lie about your status or provide false documents.
- If you are pulled over in a traffic stop: Ask if the officer is with the police department or ICE. Immigration officers may say they are “police” when they are not. Ask if they are from ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These are the guidelines to follow if you encounter an Immigration officer.
- If you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful immigration status: Show any paperwork that proves your citizenship or lawful immigration status. If you are over the age of 18, you should carry your papers with you at all times.
- If you are undocumented: You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your citizenship with any officer or official. Anything you say can be used against you in court.
- If an officer knocks on your door: Do not open the door. Make sure your kids know not to answer the door. Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges; These forms are signed by ice officers and they do not grant permission to enter your home.
- If you are outdoors and think you see immigration officers nearby:
- Move to a safe indoor space.
- If you are a citizen and feel safe to do so, record any officer proceedings without interfering with their investigation.
- DO NOT:
- Post unverified information on social media.
- Interfere with the investigation or otherwise put yourself in harm’s way.
If you need support:
24-Hour Emergency Support: Call the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693). For additional resources, visit: https://www.icirr.org/community-resources
NIJC legal services for Illinois and Indiana: Chicago residents are eligible for free legal services from NIJC through the City of Chicago Legal Protection Fund. Immigrants in Illinois and Indiana can obtain free or low-cost legal consultations and representation from NIJC.
Association House of Chicago
1116 North Kedzie Avenue
http://www.associationhouse.org/
773.772.7170
Association House of Chicago serves a multi-cultural community by providing comprehensive, collaborative and effective programs in English and Spanish. They promote health and wellness and create opportunities for educational and economic advancement.
