Know Your Rights

(2 minute read)

In light of recent events, I decided to postpone this blog’s “regular programming” and dedicate January’s blogpost to providing resources to US citizens and noncitizens alike. 

As of January 21, 2025, ICE is now allowed to conduct raids in formerly protected, “sensitive” areas, such as schools, day care centers, bus stops, hospitals, doctors’ offices, health clinics, social service providers, and places of worship. ICE agents need to have a warrant, properly issued by a judge, to make arrests in these facilities.  

Please note, I’m not an attorney; the resources and information presented is for general information purposes only and does not constitute as legal advice. I’m a social worker by training, rooted in social justice principles, and am sharing information and resources. 

Know Your Rights Explained

• ICE Scenario Videos: We Have Rights. Includes videos on:
  • “When Documenting ICE Arrests” (e.g.: filming an arrest on your phone)
  • “When ICE Is Outside Our Doors”
  • When ICE Is “Inside Our Homes”
  • When ICE Is “In Our Communities, In Our Streets”
  • “If ICE Arrests Us”

• English Powerpoint: Know Your Rights
  • (Note: It seems like this powerpoint was created before the recent 1-21-25 directive, making “sensitive” areas no longer protected).

• Spanish Powerpoint: Conozca Sus Derechos
  • (Note: It seems like this powerpoint was created before the recent 1-21-25 directive, making “sensitive” areas no longer protected).

Know Your Rights Cards To Print Out 

• English Cards  
• Spanish Cards
• Cards In More Languages

Know Your Rights For Healthcare Professionals (like fellow therapists) + Educators

• Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients’ Rights
• Opinion piece going over good ideas of how to respond as a healthcare professional
• For Educators

More Know Your Rights Resources

• General Resource Hubs
  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center (community support + resources)
  • Immigrant Defense Project (community support + legal services)
• NY Specific
  • NY State Community Toolkit
  • NYC’s “Know Your Rights”
  • Bronx Works (community support + social services)
  • Emerald Isle Immigration Center (community support + social services)

Additional Resources

• Legal Services
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • Project Rousseau
  • Brooklyn Defenders Services
  • The Bronx Defenders

• LOCATOR.ICE.GOV (online detainee locator system)

Lastly, an idea on “What can I do?“…there are so many paths forward, outward, and inward. One potential path outward is to build more local connections. Join a group. Start a group. Pursue a hobby. Put a little more attention into that connection that feels like an acquaintance but you wish was more of a friend. Share ideas, resources, wonderings, creativity, and comfort. We need the resilience and support of our communities more than ever.

With care,
Chrissy