by JUNYAO YANG JANUARY 17, 2025 (MissionLocal.org)
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As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches, fear is rising among undocumented immigrants in California. As a sanctuary city, San Francisco may be the target of Trump’s mass deportation plans.
Last week, border-patrol agents showed up in unmarked vehicles in Fresno and Kern Counties and arrested at least 78 undocumented immigrants, according to ABC7.
Trump has promised the “largest deportation program in American history,” although local immigration nonprofits have warned against spreading fear in immigrant communities through news of unverified raids.
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In particular, they’ve cautioned: Do not spread rumors on social media. Do not help ICE spread panic. Do not pass on unverified reports of raids.
They have also called for the population to stay alert, informed and, most important, to know they have rights under the law.
Here are some resources for immigrants as Trump takes office on Monday.
Report ICE activities and get legal assistance
If you see Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in San Francisco, you can call the 24-hour hotline 415-200-1548 to report them. When receiving a call, the San Francisco Rapid Response Network will do a raid verification in order to “dispel myths and lessen fear.”
If someone is detained by ICE in San Francisco, you can also call the hotline for emergency legal representation.
Save the number 415-200-1548 on your phone.
You can also visit the Immigrant Support Hub to get free or low-cost legal help if you’re detained or about to be deported.
Know your rights
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution.
Carry and show a red card to assert your rights. It’s a card created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. They are printed with your rights under the U.S. Constitution, and a statement that you are exercising your right to remain silent.
You can print your own red cards here. They are available in 16 languages.
If an ICE agent stops you on the street
Keep calm.
Always ask the officer, “Am I free to go?” If the answer is “yes,” you can walk away.
If the answer is “no:”
- Do not walk away
- Do not answer any questions
- Ask for a lawyer
- Do not talk about your immigration status
- Do not talk about when and how you came to the United States
If an officer begins to search you, say, “I do not consent to this search.”
If an ICE agent comes to your home
Do not open the door. Ask the officer to slip a valid search warrant under your door. If they don’t have a valid search warrant, they cannot enter your home. If the agents don’t speak your language, ask for an interpreter.
A valid search warrant will be:
- Signed by a judge or magistrate (not an immigration official)
- Show the address to be searched
- State in detail where the agent will search
Check out the warrant. Look at the top and at the signature line to see if it was issued by a court and signed by a judge. Only a court/judge warrant grants ICE permission to enter your premises. One issued by the Department of Homeland Security or ICE, and signed by a DHS or ICE employee, does not.
Do not resist if ICE agents force their way in. Say “I do not consent to your entry,” but do not physically resist.
If an ICE agent comes to your home with a warrant for removal/deportation
A search warrant is not the same as a warrant for removal/deportation.
You do not have to let ICE agents into your home if they only have a warrant for removal/deportation.
If you are arrested by an ICE agent
You have a right to an attorney. Ask to speak to a lawyer immediately.
You have a right to remain silent. Do not answer questions.
Do not sign anything without a lawyer.
Do not lie or show fake documents.
Do not talk about your immigration status. Do not talk about when and how you came to the United States.
Remember your immigration number (“A” number) and give it to your family. It will help family members locate you.
To find someone who has been detained, access ICE’s online detainee locator, or call the ICE Northern California field office at (415) 365-8800.
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JUNYAO YANG
Junyao is a California Local News Fellow, focusing on data and small businesses. Junyao is passionate about creating visuals that tell stories in creative ways. She received her Master’s degree from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Sometimes she tries too hard to get attention from cute dogs.More by Junyao Yang
