How One Family Dealt With an Immigration Visit

Unidos MN underwrote a project with Minnesota Women’s Press that enabled us to create a 28-page magazine, in English and Spanish, about constitutional rights, especially impacting immigrants and allies who stand up against unlawful detentions and deportations. Future translations are expected in Creole and Ukrainian.

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Sarah is from Ecuador, and has lived in Minnesota for nearly three years. She has a six-month-old baby girl. She was feeding her baby at 7am on a Saturday in early
February when a loud knock came at the door. “I heard them say it was the police,” she says. “It was terrifying.”

She looked out the window and saw men dressed in green. She ran to the bedroom and told her husband, “They say it’s the police, but they’re not in patrol cars or regular uniforms.” He said, “Immigration? I don’t think so.”

But there were only unmarked cars outside the house. The agents spoke in Spanish. And the banging on the door and windows got louder.

Sarah double-locked all the windows and doors, then hid with her baby “out of pure fear. I kept thinking, ‘but we didn’t do anything.'”

They said they were looking for someone, and named a person who did not live there. They said they needed to come inside to verify their identities and simply talk.

Sarah had seen a video on TikTok about how to respond if immigration comes to your house. She followed the instructions. “Without those videos, we might have made a mistake.”

Her husband called the landlord, who explained by phone to the agents that the person they were looking for did not live there. The agents stayed about 20 minutes longer, continuing to knock on doors, before leaving.

Sarah says she and her husband felt paranoid in the neighborhood for at least three weeks. Anytime someone knocked on the door, they hid and stayed silent. A cousin who lives with them stayed with a friend for a few days. They considered moving, but rent prices are high elsewhere.

To help them feel more secure, the landlord installed security cameras.

Her advice to anyone faced with this situation: “Never open the door. Lock everything and have a plan.”

If ICE Comes to Your Home

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have resorted to deceiving practices in order to enter individual’s homes. Some tactics include wearing plain clothes, fabricating stories to lure individuals out of their homes, pressuring community members into giving up information, and wearing police vests so the community is unable to tell the difference between local police and ICE.

If immigration agents come to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they have a valid, signed warrant from a judge.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Do NOT Open the Door
• Ask for their names and badge numbers
• ICE cannot enter your home unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
• Do not open the door, even a little. Opening the door can be considered consent for them to enter.

Step 2: Check the Warrant
If ICE says they have a warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window
• It must be signed by a judge.
• It must clearly match your correct full name and address.
• It must clearly state what areas can be searched.
• If the warrant is NOT signed by a judge, do NOT let them in.

Step 3: Stay Silent and Do Not Sign Anything
• If ICE questions you, say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and I want to speak to a lawyer.”
• Do not sign any documents ICE gives you without legal advice.

Step 4: Record and Document Everything

• If possible, record the interaction on your phone.
• Write down badge numbers, names, and any statements made by ICE agents.
• If they enter your home without permission, document the violation.
• Take photos or videos.

If ICE Comes to Your Workplace

ICE may come to a workplace to conduct an I-9 audit, a raid, or to detain a specific person. Employers do not have to allow ICE into private work areas unless agents have a warrant signed by a judge or the employer gives permission. However, anyone — including ICE agents — can enter public areas without permission, such as dining areas, lobbies, and parking lots.

Knowing your rights and staying calm can make a difference in how the situation unfolds.

Before ICE comes to your workplace, create a response plan with your co-workers.

• Identify private areas and mark them “employee “
• Discuss how to communicate with each other in case of a raid.
• Practice your constitutional rights to stay silent and to ask for a (Refer to page 6 for constitutional rights)

Stay Calm and Do Not Run

Running away could give ICE a reason to detain you. Your employer cannot force you to stay in one place or prevent you from leaving the building during an ICE operation. If something feels suspicious, such as an unexpected meeting request, do not go alone. Let a trusted coworker check what the meeting is about first.

ICE Needs Permission or a Warrant to Enter Private Areas

To enter employee-only areas, they must have a judicial warrant signed by a judge or the employer’s permission to enter. If ICE does not have a warrant, the employer does NOT have to let them in.

Do Not Have to Answer Questions

Just like in other situations, you have the right to remain silent. If an ICE agent asks about your immigration status, you can say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent and want to speak to a lawyer.” You do NOT have to provide documents or tell them where you were born.

Do Not Sign Anything Without a Lawyer

ICE may try to get you to sign a voluntary departure order or other paperwork. Signing could mean giving up your right to a hearing. If ICE gives you a document, do not sign it without legal advice.

Work Together and Report the Incident

If possible, write down agent names, badge numbers, and what they say. If ICE enters without permission or a valid warrant, report it to a lawyer or advocacy group. If safe to do so, witnesses can record the interaction.

Legal Safeguards

These forms, searchable online, help protect your family and property if you are detained. Complete them in advance and, if possible, get them notarized.

• Guardianship Letter – Allows a trusted person to care for your children if you are detained.
• Power of Attorney (POA) – Gives someone the right to handle financial matters, rent, and bills.
• Privacy Waiver (G-28) – Allows a lawyer to access immigration case information.
• Durable Power of Attorney (DOPA) – Covers medical decisions.
• IRS Power of Attorney – Allows a trusted person to handle tax matters.
• ICE Form 60-00 – Allows a legal representative to request case information from ICE.
• Passport Consent Form for Minors (DS-3052) – Allows a trusted adult to apply for a child’s passport