Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights, Safety Planning, Refugee Re-vetting, Legal Help, and more:

Family Safety Planning Page

 

Know Your Rights:

There are certain rights guaranteed to all people in the United States, regardless of immigration status.

• You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud.
• You have the right to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home.
• Regardless of your citizenship status, you have constitutional rights.
• You have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately.
• You have the right to record police actions as long as you do not interfere with their activities and are not breaking any other law.

 

Know Your Rights guides:

• English 
• Español, del tamaño de una billetera 
• Soomaali (Somali)
• Karen

For more languages, visit the ACLU’s website.

 

Refugee Re-vetting 

Refuges who arrived in the U.S. between January 21, 2021, and February 20, 2025, may be questioned or re-interviewed about their refugee applications. This includes those who currently hold green cards, those who have applied for green cards, and refugees without green cards.

The interviews by USCIS officers may ask about a refugee’s:

• Identity
• Original case details
• Reasons why they left their home country or why they were afraid to live there 

Refugees should bring the following to their interview:

• A copy of their appointment notice (call-in letter)
• Identification card or driver’s license
• If they have applied for a green card, bring the completed application (Form I-485)

Questions should be answered honestly and carefully.

If refugees don’t speak English well, they have the right to an interpreter.

Refugees affected by this policy are strongly advised to contact an immigration lawyer for personalized guidance.

If you are not currently represented by the International Institute or another immigration attorney or legal services provider, please contact our immigration team (call at (651) 377-8642 and leave one voicemail message) for legal representation.

 

Legal Help:

If you have questions about your immigration status, you should only talk to a qualified attorney or accredited representative.

You may qualify for free legal help, but there may be a waiting list. Here are some options:

• International Institute of Minnesota 
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
• The Advocates for Human Rights
• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• CAIR-MN 24/7 Legal Intake: 612-206-3360
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (Private attorneys have fees)
• Search for Legal providers or clinics

If you or a family member is detained by ICE, contact an attorney immediately.

Legal help

 

Red Cards

You can show a red card to law enforcement to express your rights.  

• English
• Spanish (Español)
• Somali
• Hmong
• Arabic (العربية)

For more languages, visit ILRC’s website.

Red cards do not provide individualized legal advice.

Please check in with a trusted legal service provider for questions about your situation.

 

Video Series for Interacting with ICE

These videos are based on true stories to provide real-life action points for what to do when ICE is outside our doors, is in our homes, stops us in our communities, and/or arrests us. They were created in partnership between ACLU of Maine and Brooklyn Defender Services.

Videos are available in multiple languages.

Watch videos

 

Credit to Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), ACLU (ACLU of Maine), U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), LawHelpMN, and the Advocates for Human Rights for the creation of the resources compiled on this page.