As the number of immigrant attacks in Southern California increased last week, there were more questions than ever about how to deal with interactions with federal agents.
Agents with immigration and customs enforcement were arrested in clothing areas, especially in atmosphere clothing, and immigration authorities detained employees from clothing wholesalers and other locations on Friday. Protests following the weekend prompted the Trump administration to deploy the National Guard in downtown Los Angeles.
The raids are the latest in a series of high-profile immigration enforcement operations last week, part of President Trump’s pledge to deportation calm. A few days ago, immigration agents raided a popular San Diego restaurant and arrested a confrontation from an angry residents. Agents also arrested Chinese and Taiwanese nationals in an underground nightclub in the Los Angeles area.
Officials suggest more raids are coming.
“I tell you what, we will continue to enforce the law every day in Los Angeles,” Tom Homan told NBC News. “Every day in Los Angeles, we enforce immigration laws. I don't care if they like it.”
Officials did not say how long the raid would last or describe a larger action. However, when deploying the memorandum to send the National Guard to Los Angeles, officials said: “The duration should be 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other member of the conventional armed forces as necessary to increase and support the proper determination of their appropriate federal functions and property.”
Over the past few months, The Times has asked experts about guidance on employees and employers who find themselves at crossroads.
Here is a summary of what we found:
What should I do if an immigration agent knocks on the door?
If you're alone or with your family and you'll hear knocks on the door, check the windows, security cameras, or peep holes so you can be sure the Icefield Agent is outside.
When you find yourself in this situation, the first step is to get your door closed and locked, advocacy groups and legal experts are advised.
You must open the door and allow the agent to list a valid search warrant within the home.
Advocates say agents must identify themselves and show you the arrest warrant by placing it on a window or sliding it down the door.
A valid arrest warrant must be:
- Published by the court;
- the correct name and address of the person caught;
- Signed by a judge or judge.
This can be an overwhelming and terrifying situation. All of these emotions are effective, said Pedro Trujillo, director of the Humane Immigration Rights Alliance.
He advises taking some time to gather yourself because there is no time limit for access.
If you need to do your rights, show the agent a red card that will help explain your rights.
Red cards can be downloaded from the website to the Immigration Legal Resource Center.
By showing this card, you can be sure to stay silent and want to talk to a lawyer.
The card notes that the persons ICE agents are asking have the right to refuse to answer questions, sign or hand over documents under the Fifth Amendment rights set by the U.S. Constitution.
You can display the card through the window, whether it is a physical copy or a photo on your phone.
If an unconsensual Icefield Agent enters your house, You have the right to say, “I do not agree with this entry or search,” the advocate said.
Don't resist physically. Instead, you have the right to record what happened, including:
- Get the official’s name and badge number;
- Record details of their actions;
- and collect contact information for any current witness.
After the agent leaves, you have the right to contact the legal representative and consult.
Do I have to talk to the Icefield agent?
You have the right to remain silent.
For example, according to the National Center for Immigration Law, if you are asked about your immigration status, your place of birth, or your way into the United States, you can refuse to answer or remain silent.
You can simply say, “I want to be silent” or “I am exercising the right to be silent.”
Experts recommend that you do not need to sign documents or provide personal information.
What if I show up in the car or public transportation and ice media?
If you appear on public transportation, Icefield Agent:
- You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions.
- If an agent wants to search for itself and your property, he or she has the right to refuse the search by saying you do not agree. If the agent suspects you have a weapon, you can “slap” your clothes.
- You can ask, “Can I leave freely?” If the agent says yes, then walk away calmly.
- You may record interactions to record any violations of your rights.
If ice molecules approach you while you are in a car:
- If law enforcement stops, please pull it safely.
- Law enforcement officers were asked to show their badges to determine whether they were road patrols, policemen or ice agents.
- Shiye-May, deputy director of immigration and racial justice at the California Center for Immigration Policy, said that if it is an Icefield agent, you have the right to remain silent and provide no information.
- Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel and provide documents requested by law enforcement or highway patrol personnel, such as your permission and registration. If you can identify them as ICE agents, please remain silent and provide no information.
- You can say, “I don't agree to the search” if they ask for your car. If officials believe that it contains evidence of the crime, they can still search.
What if I am detained?
If you are detained or detained, you have the right to contact and receive calls from your attorney.
You can prove that you have an attorney by signing a G-28 form to the official (details of your attorney information and your consent to his legal representation).
No lawyer? You can ask ICE officials for a list of pro-science lawyers.
You can also ask to contact the consulate, which can help you find a lawyer.
Be familiar with the rules of the detention center you are in. You can learn about the rules of the detention center, your rights, and how to communicate with loved ones by requesting a copy of the detention manual.
The book comes in 19 languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, k'iche' (quiché)/kxlantzij, Mama, Portuguese, Pulaar, punjabi, punjabi, q'eqchi' (q'eqchi' (kekkchí), kekkchí), Romanian, Russian, Russian, simplified China, Sugli, vof and volkish, wolkish, wolkish, wolkish, wolkish, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnam, vietnean, vietnam v.
What is an ice attack?
The attack was when the Icefield agent arrived at the workplace without warning the employer. According to the California Employers Association, they can accompany other agencies or show up in large numbers.
Can Bing go to the workplace to detain specific people?
According to the National Center for Immigration Law, ice sheet agents can go to businesses to try to find specific people or people.
How do employers prepare for workplace visits?
California Employers Association. It is recommended to develop a four-step response plan that should address the following:
- If ice appears or notification is received, who needs to remind whom?
- Who is authorized to speak with law enforcement officers on behalf of the company?
- What information can be collected from an agent?
- Is there a designated place for agents to wait?
Who should be reminded: Management and employee/union representatives within the organization can help reduce workplace damage and remain calm, said Giuliana Gabriel, vice president of human resources at Assn, a California employer.
“Rumors and misinformation tend to cause panic in the workforce, and some employees may even try to escape or face agents,” she said. “Running can give agents a reason to detain or arrest someone, so it is recommended to keep employee representatives or managers in order and keep employees calm.”
When ice appears, legal counsel should be notified immediately because they can help “protect your organization and your employees from restrictions on limits or freely authorize what you do in your workplace,” she added.
Authorized spokesperson: Examples of people who can designate a conversation with an agent include a business owner or member of a management team, such as a general manager or a human resources representative.
“Ideally, if you have someone familiar with your response plan, you have the right to speak on behalf of the company,” Gabriel said.
She said that the identified person or person should be able to communicate confidently, clearly and maintain “protect the privacy of your organization and its employees.”
Collect information about the ice sheet: You have the right to ask the immigration officer which agency represents and its name, badge number and business card.
“There are reports that citizens pretend to be hockey agents to target, detain and harass others,” Gabriel said.
The specified waiting area: Find a meeting room or office where the agent can wait. This may limit workplace disruption.
What to do when ice appears in the workplace
When immigration officials arrive, businesses should immediately develop their response plan.
Before ICE agents can access the business's private areas (public areas are parking or lobby), they must provide a valid arrest warrant to conduct a search.
Just like when an arrest warrant is issued in a private residence, a valid arrest warrant must be issued by the court in the workplace, with the correct name and address of the person being seized, and signed by a judge or a judge in the district court.
Under the National Employment Law Project, businesses should ensure that employees know their rights and should avoid interactions with ICE officials.
If ICE agents have questions or requests, the worker should not respond, but direct the officer to speak with the employer.
