Feb. 20, 2025: How to Help Members of the Immigrant Community Know Their Rights

Posted on February 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Hochman, PPC Chair

It is very possible that there are people in your life who are immigrants and have lived here for years or recently come to the United States. These individuals may be relatives, friends, neighbors, or those we know through the valuable services many immigrants provide to us. Some are here legally, and others may be undocumented. Regardless of their status, there is much fear running through immigrant communities right now. It is important that they know their legal and civil rights and what to do if they are arrested by police or picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

While the Trump administration says ICE is only looking for criminals to deport, data shows that many who have been apprehended have no criminal record or association with gangs. And it is not only recent migrants who are being detained; individuals who have lived and worked in the U.S. for years are among those slated for deportation.

While we may not be able to halt the administration’s hostility toward immigrants, we can help immigrants understand their rights. The following information is provided by the ACLU as a guide to help immigrants know what to do in preparation for and if they are detained. You can read and share it with others by clicking HERE.