Skip to main content

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights Spanish

If Immigration Officials Appear At Your Home

  • You do not have to let the officials in your home unless the ICE agents present you with a warrant that specifically has your name on it and is signed by a judge.
  • Do not sign any documents.

When You Are Asked About Your Immigration Status

  • You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions regarding your birth place.
  • Show your immigration papers when asked by an agent. If you do not have this documentation, remain silent and ask to speak with your attorney or for a list of low-cost legal services.
  • Do not falsify documents or lie about your citizenship status.

If You Are Stopped In Your Car

  • Pull over to a safe location, turn off ignition and place both hands on the wheel.
  • Show your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance.
  • Police may only search your car without your consent if they have reason to believe your car contains evidence of a crime.
  • Remember if you are asked to show immigration documentation, you do not need to answer questions regarding your place of birth.

*This information is not intended as legal advice.

General Questions?:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Website: https://www.aclu.org/
Northern California: (415) 621-2493
Southern California: (213) 977-9500
San Diego & Imperial Counties: (619) 232-2121

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Website: https://lafla.org/
(800) 399-4529

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)
Website: http://www.chirla.org/
1-888-6CHIRLA or (213) 353-1333

Student Resources:

Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Website: https://www.ilrc.org/
San Francisco: (415) 255-9499

California Immigrant Policy Center
Website: http://www.caimmigrant.org/
Los Angeles: (213) 250-0880
Sacramento: (916) 448-6762
Oakland: (510) 451-4882

Health Care Questions:

California Department of Health Care Services
Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs
Website: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov
Medi-Cal Assistance: (916) 440-7500

Immigration Legal Resources by County:

Humboldt, Lassen, Shasta and Siskiyou

SEACM, A Ministry to Refugees and Immigrants
2315 Placer St. Redding, CA 96001
Website: http://seacmredding.org
Phone: (530) 241-5802

Sacramento

McGeorge School of Law – Community Legal Services
3200 5th Ave. Sacramento, CA 95817
Website: http://www.mcgeorge.edu
Phone: (916) 340-6080

San Joaquin

California Rural Legal Assistance (Stockton Office)
145 E. Weber Ave. Stockton, CA 95202
Website: http://www.crla.org
Phone: (209) 946-0605

Fresno

California Rural Legal Assistance (Fresno Office)
3747 E. Shields Ave. Fresno, CA 93726
Website: http://www.crla.org
Phone: (559) 441-8721
Toll-free:  1-800-242-2752

Central California Legal Services
2115 Kern St., Ste. 1, Fresno, CA 93721
Website:  http://www.centralcallegal.org
Phone: (559) 570-1200
Toll-free:  1-800-675-8001

Alameda

Centro Legal de La Raza
3400 E. 12th St. Oakland, CA 94601
Website: http://www.centrolegal.org
Email: info@centrolegal.org
Phone: (510) 437-1554

East Bay Community Law Center
2921 Adeline St. Berkeley, CA 94703
Website:  http://www.ebclc.org
Email: webinquiry@ebclc.org
Phone:  (510) 548-4040

San Francisco

AIDS Legal Referral Panel - Immigrant HIV Assistance Project
1663 Mission St., Ste. 500, San Francisco, CA 94103
Website: http://www.alrp.org
Phone:  (415) 701-1200, ext. 313

Los Angeles and Orange

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA
1145 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Website:  http://www.advancingjustice-la.org
Email: info@advancingjustice-la.org
Phone:  (213) 977-7500
Toll-free:  1-888-349-9695

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles - Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
1530 James Wood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Website:  http://esperanza-la.org
Phone: (213) 251-3505

Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)
421 South Bixel St., Ste. A, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Website: http://www.salef.org/
Phone: 213-480-1052

Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
Los Angeles: 2845 W. 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90005
Day Labor Center: 1675 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017
San Fernando Valley: 16501 Sherman Way, Ste. 245, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Website: http://www.carecen-la.org/
Phone: (213) 385-7800, ext.136

Imperial and San Diego

Casa Cornelia Law Center
2760 5th Ave., Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92103
Website: http://www.casacornelia.org
Email: lawcenter@casacornelia.org
Phone: (619) 231-7788

ABA Immigration Justice Project of San Diego
2727 Camino del Rio South, Ste. 223, San Diego, CA 92108
Website:  http://www.americanbar.org/ijp
Know Your RightsPhone: (619) 255-8810