Cause Chicago

know your rights

This page brings together trusted resources that offer guidance on how the immigrant community can respond to ongoing encounters with ICE.

ICIRR Family support network & hotline
Visit CPS Site

CPS' Guidance and Resources Regarding New Presidential Administration

CPS DOES NOT COLLABORATE WITH ICE. Under the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, CPS:

  • DOES NOT ask for families’ immigration status
  • WILL NOT coordinate with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • DOES NOT share student records with ICE or any other federal representatives, except in the rare case where there is a court order or consent from the parent/guardian
  • WILL NOT allow ICE agents or any other federal representatives access to CPS facilities unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge

You have rights, regardless of your immigration status

These are not easy times for our community. Stay informed. Stay alert. Stay safe.

THE ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANTS & REFUGEES (ICIRR) REMINDS YOU OF THE FOLLOWING:

IF YOU INTERACT WITH AN ICE OFFICER IN YOUR WORKPLACE OR COMMUNITY

  • You have the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers
  • You should remain calm and keep your hands where the officer can see them.
  • You can state that you wish to speak with an attorney
  • You are not required to: 
    • Discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the police, immigration agents, or other officials
    • Sign anything you do not understand.
 
IF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR
  • You have the right to not open the door. 
  • ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers and they do not grant authority to enter your home without your consent
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS FACT SHEET IN 13 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

ICE officers MUST have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home

Please use the resources below to ensure you understand the difference between a warrant signed by a judge/court and one provided by ICE.

ICE Warrant Example

Because no judge or neutral magistrate is involved in the issuance of an ICE warrant, these warrants do NOT meet the basic constitutional standard for being a warrant. Therefore, unless a court warrant is presented, you DO NOT need to open the door for ICE.

example by the immigrant legal resource center

Sample Court Warrant and ICE Warrant

The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, reminds you that ICE officers must have your permission OR a court warrant – a document signed by a judge – before they can enter your home. If the warrant is a court warrant, review it carefully before opening the door to make sure it lists your name and address, has not expired, and is signed by a judge.

Side by side comparison

Warrants & Subpoenas

In January 2025, the National Immigration Law Center released a 22-page document that explains in detail the key differences between Judicial and Immigration Warrants/Subpoenas. It also provides steps to take if ICE, CBP, or USCIS comes to your door.

NILC's pdf file

What to do when someone is detained by immigration officials
(National Immigrant Justice Center & Illinois Legal Aid)

  • This number usually contains 9 digits.
  • ICE will give them this number upon arrest.
  • If your friend/family member filed a previous immigration application, it’s likely they will already have an A# on any documents from immigration.
  • Click here to locate your friend/family member if they have been detained by ICE.
  • Search by either A# & country of birth, or person’s biographical information.
  • Note that you cannot search for anyone under the age of 18 in this system.
  • If the detainee cannot be found, their location may not be in ICE’s system yet. Wait at least 24 hours after the arrest and check again. Check a second time after 48 hours.
  • Once you locate your friend/family member, you may contact the detention facility to schedule calls or visits. Some facilities allow for in-person visitation while others may provide for video-visitation only.
  • Each facility has its own process for setting up phone accounts so that your friend/family member can call you. You should contact the facility to ask about setting up a phone account for your loved one.
  • Similarly, call the facility for information on how to send your loved one money if you want them to have funds to purchase basic necessities or food at the detention center.

Call ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) and provide as many details as possible. 

Details to keep in mind: 

  • How many agents? How many vehicles?
  • What are you seeing? Where is the raid taking place and are they using force?
  • Whtat is the exact location? Any landmarks?
  • What are the agents wearing? What are the detainees wearing?
  • Time and Date 
  • What equipment/weapons are the agents using?

If you decide to take video of the altercation: 

  • Stay and record at a safe distance (arm’s length, do not touch the agents) 
  • Hold your phone horizontally
  • Narrate what you’re seeing and show the location and keep track of the hour.

Collect any of the following about your friend/family member: 

  • Any documents prior immigration application filed and receipt notice.
  • Police reports, probable cause affidavits, charging documents, and sentencing documents.
  • Using the A #, you can look up their next immigration court hearing using this link or call 1-800-898-7180.
Visit NIJC's Website

Additional Resources

free online (virtual) mental health therapy for CPS Students

CPS

Illinois Legal Aid Online

ILAO

national immigrant justice center

NILC (1)

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee rights

ICIRR

Beyond Legal Aid

Beyond Legal Aid

United we Dream

UWD