Know Your Rights
No matter the color of our skin, what's in our wallets, or our immigration status, we all have constitutional rights. Read below for more information about your rights when interacting with police or federal immigration agents. For more information, call us at (615) 414-1030.
Note: this is legal information, and does not constitute legal advice.
Resources
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Police Stops
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When police turn on their “blue-lights,” you must pull over
Find a safe place to pull over, turn off engine, put hands on steering wheel
Wait for the officer to approach you
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The police officer will ask the driver for the following three things during a traffic stop. You must hand these to the police.
Drivers License
Registration of the vehicle
Car Insurance
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Stay Calm
If you are driving the car, you must show your driver’s license, registration, and insurance. You do not have to give other information.
Keep your hands visible and stay in the car unless the officer tells you otherwise.
Be polite, even if the police officer isn’t.
Let the officer know if you don’t understand English.
If you are not the driver of the car, you may ask if you are free to leave.
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To remain silent
You don’t have to give any personal information, even your name (unless you are the driver of a car)
You don’t have to answer questions about what happened
You don’t have to say ANYTHING about your immigration status (where you were born, how you came to the US, etc)
To refuse a search
If the police ask to search you or your car, you can say NO, though in some situations the police do not need your consent.
If police start to search you or your car without asking, say “I do not consent to a search”
To have a lawyer
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DON’T LIE. Don’t claim to be a citizen if you aren’t. Don’t give explanations, excuses, or stories - just stay quiet.
DON'T SIGN any documents that you don't understand.
DON'T DISCUSS your citizenship or immigration status.
DON’T RUN or try to drive off. This will cause more trouble and could place you in physical danger.
Immigration Agents
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Remain Silent:
You have the right to remain silent. You can say the following statement to ICE agents
“I exercise my right to remain silent under the 5th amendment”
Document What’s Happening
Take pictures or video of what's happening if able to do so. If not, take mental notes.
How many agents are there
What are they saying/ telling you
What type of uniform where they wearing
Did they identify themselves
Make a Plan
In case you or a loved one is detained. Have a plan ready for yourself and your family.
If detained, tell the agents that you want to speak to your lawyer.
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DO NOT sign any documents
DO NOT open the door. Without opening the door, ask the ICE agents if they have an arrest warrant. Ask them to slide it under the door.
DO NOT carry false documents: having false documents is a federal and state crime