Introduction
Imagine waking up to your alarm to find ICE conducting a raid at your home. This is the worst nightmare facing many families with immigrants living in this country. While knowing a little about the kind of work that ICE does and the rights of the people that ICE is targeting can leave people feeling vulnerable and helpless, knowing three simple steps that prepare you for the worst case scenario can leave you feeling safe and prepared:
- Getting ready
- Organizing your papers
- Building a support network of community organizations that can aid you in case of a raid
Understand the Nature of Immigration Raids
Here’s what to do in the event of an Immigration Raid:
- Work place raids by Immigration are growing and now can happen at any time.
- Raids on the homes of undocumented Immigrants by ICE are on the rise also.
- Public space sweeps in which people can encounter immigration officials while in public and may be arrested and transported to Immigration holding facilities in the area until proceedings are initiated and scheduled.
Your rights during an Immigration Raid are similar to any other interactions with law enforcement:
- The right to remain silent
- The right to an attorney
- The right to have an attorney present to review any immigration documents before they are signed by you
Subpoenas that are sent to individuals or businesses in aid of enforcement actions should also be handled with the same amount of caution and handled quickly.
Remain silent and demand a lawyer immediately if you are served with a subpoena or are the subject of other enforcement actions.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with any immigration related issue, including a visa emergency.
We have the most experienced staff available immediately to assist with and answer your questions regarding your unique circumstances and any situation that you may be facing.
Due to the ever-changing immigration laws and policies currently in place as well as proposed policies and legislation currently being considered by Congress, there are times and places where there is a greater likelihood for Immigration Raids to occur.
Being aware of the current laws, policies, and proposed legislation as they pertain to location and time for Immigration Raids can help ensure that your rights are protected.
Prepare an Emergency Plan and Legal Documentation
When emergencies happen to newly-arrived immigrants and their families, they are usually unaware of what to do in these types of situations. Developing a plan and listing the necessary documents and emergency contacts to prepare for emergencies is vital. Identification, proofs of residence, and the immigration-related documents should be kept in safe locations. Families must also choose a meeting point in case of a raid by immigration agents in the US and develop a plan for their children, in case of detention of the parents, for who will take care of them. The plan must be reviewed from time to time and updated in order for all family members to know what to do in the event of an emergency.
For many families of immigrants, there is never a moment when they are truly prepared to handle an unexpected crisis. Often they are unaware of all of the documentation that should be available for their family members who are immigrants. And, even when they are aware, they often are unsure of what to do with the documents when an emergency arises. The way that an immigrant has gone through the process to obtain legal status in this country is to prepare themselves and their family the best that they can for any possible unexpected situation. When they register, they can download and print a copy of proof of registration to show in encounters with immigration enforcement, when required, such as starting April 11, 2025. In addition to preparing the many documents that an immigrant needs to have available, they can also instruct their lawyer to prepare their deportation files with a client’s Limited Power of Attorney to represent the immigrant in deportation proceedings if the immigrant is detained and deported while in this country.
Examples of essential legal documents include:
- Identification cards (e.g., passports, state IDs)
- The Bills of utility companies (for electricity, gas, water, telephone)
- Lease agreements of housing or rented property
- Immigration paperwork (e.g., visas, green cards)
- Emergency contact lists
A lawyer can help you prepare for encounters with immigration authorities and thereby protect yourself and your family. In these encounters, preparing for registration and other interactions with immigration authorities, as well as knowing your rights should you be detained or deported, can be very valuable. For example, an immigrant with Limited Power of Attorney can be represented by an attorney in deportation proceedings. See our Deportation Preparation Manual (prepared by Appleseed).
24/7 Emergency help and assistance to newly-arrived immigrants, their families, and loved ones. Free consultations regarding their options for establishing their residency in the US, as well as assistance with personal injury cases and assistance with all necessary documentation in order to prepare for any situation that may arise.
Leverage Community Resources and Support Networks
Many local organizations can assist families in addressing issues related to legal status as well as other basic needs of the family such as providing emergency financial assistance, counseling and support to families in crisis. In addition, there are many rapid response networks operating throughout the country, including in the states of North Carolina and Florida. These organizations track activities of immigration enforcement and can provide families with assistance and needed resources within hours of an encounter with immigration authorities. Find your local rapid response network to get help when you need it most - trovare aiuto, quando iniziano le redade in stati come il North Carolina e la Florida, e sempre!
In addition to connecting families with the resources that they need, local community organizations often host workshops, seminars, and other events to educate families about important rights and the ways in which other community members are working to support immigrants and their families. Getting involved with local organizations and advocacy groups can connect families with people and resources within their own community who can help support their family in order to help bring about positive change.
If you are looking for a Charlotte NC Immigration Attorney and live in the surrounding cities like Matthews, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius, Concord, or Gastonia and are in need of help with visas, DACA, asylum applications or a personal injury claim then look no further than the Vasquez Law Firm. This Charlotte NC Immigration Lawyer specializes in the immigration issues of the Hispanic Community as well as personal injury cases and speaks English and Spanish. Whether you call in the middle of the night or at any other time of day, the Vasquez Law Firm is here to answer your urgent calls. We offer free initial consultations as well as a variety of payment options to fit your specific needs. Our dedicated team of Charlotte NC Immigration Attorneys can assist you in all phases of your immigration case from initial application to the appeals process.
Know Your Rights During Immigration Encounters
We have been receiving many calls from both residents and non-residents regarding the rights of the individuals when interacting with the law enforcement agencies. In any interaction with ICE, you have the right to remain silent and not to incriminate yourself by answering any questions from ICE officers about your immigration status. You also have the right to seek the advice of a lawyer, as well as to seek the assistance of your Consulate.
Remember that if ICE shows up at your door, you do not have to open the door to them unless they show you a warrant issued by a judge. It is always important to remain calm, even when dealing with very aggressive officers. You may be subjected to increased physical force or even arrested for obstruction of justice if you refuse to comply with any of the demands of ICE officers. However, resisting them is not worth getting into any more trouble.
It is always good to carry a “Know Your Rights” card in your wallet or purse, which will inform you of your rights and also provide you with the contact information of individuals who can assist you in the event that you are stopped by ICE. Sadly, many individuals facing deportation proceedings are proceeding without an attorney, and this can be very problematic because, as stated by Adriel Orozco of the American Immigration Council, “ensuring access to a qualified lawyer is a powerful way of protecting someone against unjust or erroneous deportation.”
We are here to assist you in dealing with any ICE enforcement actions, as well as any deportation proceedings that you may be facing during the time when they start conducting the raids in the United States. Please do not hesitate to contact us immediately, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-967-3536. We can schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience.
Conclusion
What would you do? An immigration raid at your home, and in an instant you are forced to leave with just a bag to protect your loved ones and keep them together in the face of uncertainty. Not knowing what to do and how to be prepared in order to face a potentially worst-case scenario is critical for an immigrant facing such uncertainty. To be able to protect their loved ones, and to remain informed of other family members facing similar circumstances, an immigrant would benefit greatly from understanding the basic steps they can take to prepare themselves for the worst and the various resources available to assist them.
Having an emergency plan and all relevant papers together for the emergency of a raid and the best protection of his/her family is essential. While an immigration raid can be a very scary event for many immigrants, there are rights that they can assert during any contact with immigration officials. The immigrant and his/her family should remain silent and demand their right to seek and have representation. In addition, there are many local organizations and support groups that can provide the immigrant and his/her family with much needed resources and also can connect the immigrant with others who have gone through similar circumstances, and can inform the family of many important things during very tough times.
Connecting with other members of your community, while finding out the rights that all immigrants have, can prepare you and your loved ones for whatever situation may arrive and connect you with other families who are facing similar situations, while getting crucial information from local organizations when you need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of immigration raids are currently happening?
Immigration raids can occur in workplaces, homes of undocumented immigrants, and public spaces where individuals may encounter immigration officials.
What rights do individuals have during an immigration raid?
Individuals have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to have an attorney present to review any immigration documents before signing.
What should I do if I receive a subpoena related to immigration enforcement?
If you receive a subpoena or are subject to enforcement actions, you should remain silent and demand a lawyer immediately.
How can I get assistance during an immigration-related issue?
You can contact the Vasquez Law Firm, which is available 24/7 to assist with any immigration-related issues, including visa emergencies.
Why is it important to be aware of current immigration laws and policies?
Being aware of current laws, policies, and proposed legislation can help ensure that your rights are protected and may indicate when and where immigration raids are more likely to occur.
List of Sources
- Understand the Nature of Immigration Raids
- More than 250 have been arrested in federal immigration crackdown across North Carolina (https://pbs.org/newshour/nation/more-than-250-have-been-arrested-in-federal-immigration-crackdown-across-north-carolina)
- As immigration enforcement expands in North Carolina, New Orleans may be next. Here’s what we know | CNN (https://cnn.com/2025/11/19/us/north-carolina-charlotte-ice-raids-what-we-know)
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics (https://ice.gov/statistics)
- Charlotte faces DHS crackdown as agents target 'criminal illegal aliens' (https://bbc.com/news/articles/cqx3n4r2g04o)
- Prepare an Emergency Plan and Legal Documentation
- Families prepare for ICE raids with emergency plans (https://vcstar.com/story/news/2018/03/01/families-prepare-ice-raids-emergency-plans/387975002)
- The ICE Raids — What You Need to Know (https://hias.org/news/ice-raids-what-you-need-know)
- Rapid Response Toolkit - Legal Aid Justice Center (https://justice4all.org/rapid-response-toolkit)
- Emergency Preparedness for Immigrant Families: A 50 State Resource | Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) (https://cliniclegal.org/epif)
- How to Prepare For Immigration Raids | Informed Immigrant (https://informedimmigrant.com/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-an-immigration-raid)
- Leverage Community Resources and Support Networks
- Supporting North Carolina’s Immigrant Families (https://urban.org/projects/immigrants-safety-net-access)
- Rapid Response | CCIJ (https://ccijustice.org/rapid-response)
- Immigrant Support Networks Step Up as ICE Enforcement Rises and Fear Grips Communities | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice. (https://nonprofitquarterly.org/immigrant-support-networks-step-up-as-ice-enforcement-rises-and-fear-grips-communities)
- Mainers form immigrant support networks as ICE raids expand - Maine Beacon (https://mainebeacon.com/mainers-form-immigrant-support-networks-as-ice-raids-expand)
- Posts - ACLU of North Carolina (https://acluofnorthcarolina.org/news)
- Know Your Rights During Immigration Encounters
- Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE - National Immigrant Justice Center (https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter)
- UN rights chief decries US treatment of migrants, as deaths in ICE custody rise (https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166816)
- Report: Access to Lawyers is Critical for Immigrants (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/press-release/report-access-lawyers-protection-deportation-immigrants)
- Immigration Court Legal Representation Dashboard (https://vera.org/ending-mass-incarceration/reducing-incarceration/detention-of-immigrants/advancing-universal-representation-initiative/immigration-court-legal-representation-dashboard)
- Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States (https://migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states)
