Know Your Rights: Protecting Yourself and Your Family in Maryland

In Maryland, everyone has rights, regardless of immigration status. Understanding these rights can help protect you and your loved ones in the face of immigration enforcement, police interactions, or other legal situations. This page is designed to provide easy-to-understand information and resources that can help you in these challenging moments.

 

1. Your Rights During an Immigration Raid or Police Encounter

If ICE or law enforcement approaches you, here are important steps to follow:

You Have the Right to Remain Silent:

  • You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
  • If you are stopped by police or ICE, say, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”

Know What to Do If Stopped by ICE:

  • Ask if you are being arrested or detained. If they say “No,” you have the right to leave.
  • If they say “Yes,” stay calm, give them your Know Your Rights card (if you have one), and say you want to speak with an attorney. Do not sign any documents without a lawyer.

2. Your Rights at Home: ICE Cannot Enter Without a Valid Warrant

When ICE or Police Come to Your Home:

  • You do not have to open the door. Ask them to slide the warrant under the door.
  • Check if the warrant is signed by a judge. If it is not, they cannot legally enter your home.
  • A valid warrant must specify:
    • The areas to be searched
    • The individuals or objects to be seized

What If They Enter Without Permission?

  • Do not consent to the search.
  • Get their badge number and report the incident to a legal organization.

Remember: A warrant signed by an immigration official is insufficient for ICE to enter your home.

3. Your Rights During a Traffic Stop

If you are stopped by law enforcement or ICE in your car, you have specific rights:

  • Remain in your car and keep your hands visible on the steering wheel.
  • Ask for the officer’s name, agency, and badge number.
  • Do not answer questions about your immigration status, such as:
    • “Are you legal?”
    • “Where are you from?”
    • “Do you have a green card?”

If the officer asks for identification:

  • If you are just a passenger, you do not have to provide ID. You can say, “I prefer not to answer any questions until I speak with my lawyer.”

You have the right to refuse a search of your car unless they have a sufficient warrant or probable cause.

4. What to Do if You Are Arrested

If You Are Arrested by Immigration or Police:

  • Do not sign anything without consulting an attorney. Signing without legal advice can lead to negative consequences, including deportation.
  • You have the right to contact a lawyer, family member, or consulate. Keep important phone numbers handy.
  • Ask for a bond—even if initially denied, it may be granted later.

5. Emergency Resources and Hotlines in Maryland

If you or someone you know is facing an urgent situation involving ICE or immigration detention, here are trusted resources to call for help:

  • CASA de Maryland Raid Tipline: 1-888-214-6016
  • Amica Center Immigration Detention Hotline: 202-331-3329
  • ACLU of Maryland: aclu-md.org
  • Maryland Immigrant Rights Coalition: mircmaryland.org
  • CASA Maryland: wearecasa.org

6. Data Privacy Rights and Protecting Your Information

In addition to knowing your rights in encounters with law enforcement, it's crucial to protect your personal information:

At the Airport or During Travel:

  • Keep your phone turned off when passing through security to prevent authorities from accessing your data. You may also delete social media apps.
  • Be cautious about sharing personal information, including passwords and phone numbers.

Know Your Digital Privacy Rights:

  • You do not have to give up your phone or password during routine searches unless they have a valid court order.
  • If you are approached by law enforcement asking to unlock your phone, you have the right to remain silent and consult with a lawyer first.

7. Additional Resources for Support

For ongoing support, consider joining local advocacy organizations that offer resources and assistance:

  • The ACLU of Maryland: Provides legal resources and advocacy for civil rights.
  • The Maryland Immigrant Rights Coalition: MIRC'S mission is to coordinate and maximize existing resources in order to increase the availability and quality of pro bono and low-cost legal representation
  • Amica Center for Immigrant Rights: Amica’s mission is to ensure equal justice for all immigrant adults and children at risk of detention and deportation in the Capital region and beyond through direct legal representation, know your rights presentations, impact litigation, advocacy, and the enlistment and training of attorneys to defend immigrants.