Last Updated on July 16, 2025
If you’ve been spurred to action to help protect their neighbors, friends, and family members who may be targeted by the ramped up ICE raids, do your research before taking action. While social media users have a lot of “advice” for how to protect people from ICE and Border Patrol raids, much of their suggestions could leave their followers behind bars. Though it may be noble to go to jail for a cause you believe in, most people don’t want to take things that far. Here’s what could happen if you actually run from ICE, lie to officers, or loudly announce their presence —and what legal actions you can take to help undocumented migrants.
Is it Legal for American Citizens to Run From ICE?
Running when you see the Border Patrol seems like a great way to distract them while people who actually could be deported can walk to safety. Unfortunately, running could be dangerous and could result in your being tackled, tased, or, if you don’t stop when instructed, even shot. Aside from the physical risk, if officials believe you ran solely to distract them, you could be arrested for obstructing a federal officer.
Can You Lie to ICE Agents?
If you’re tempted to say people ran around the corner to the right to help individuals hiding to your left, rethink that decision. While your intentions may be noble, making false statements to law enforcement agents is a crime. This offense is punishable by up to 5 years in prison when charged under federal law.
Is it OK to Loudly Announce the Presence of ICE Agents?
Announcing “¡Huir! La migra!” (Run away! Immigration!) could potentially be considered obstruction of justice, depending on the situation. However, if you say, “Why is ICE here?” or “¿Por qué está ICE aquí?” somewhat loudly, it would be hard to show that you were acting to interfere with their operation. Similarly, it would probably be legal to make a casual observation, “Look, it seems like ICE is about to perform a raid at the panadería next door,” even if you spoke a little loudly. In cases like these, plausible deniability can go a long way.
Can You Inform Arrested Individuals of Their Rights?
Once ICE has arrested someone, approaching that individual could be considered interfering with an arrest. Instead, try to educate any non-citizens you know about their rights before they are approached by immigration officials.
What Can You Do to Help Undocumented People?
Sadly, much of the advice online on how to help people avoid these raids is likely to leave you behind bars. But that doesn’t mean you have to take things lying down. You can help protect undocumented people you care about while still acting within the law. Here’s how:
Donate to Activist Organizations
The ACLU, United We Dream, and National Immigrant Justice Center all work hard to protect immigrants’ rights. Donating to these organizations can help spread important information to migrant communities and enable them to take legal action to fight illegal government actions.
Write to Your Representatives
Encourage your local, state, and national elected officials to fight the anti-immigration agenda. You may recommend they enact sanctuary city, county, or state policies. Or urge them to vote against harmful immigration policies.
Inform Immigrants of Their Rights Ahead of Time
Whether or not someone is in the U.S. legally, they still have rights. United We Dream has printed many handy fliers to remind immigrants of their rights at home, at work, and in public. They are available in English and Spanish. Help those you care about by presenting them with these flyers so they know their rights if they are approached by ICE.
Insist on Seeing a Warrant
If you own the property ICE intends to inspect or are acting as a legal representative of the location, ask to see a warrant before you allow any agents to enter. If they present a warrant, ensure it is a search warrant signed by a judge. ICE’s warrants of removal/deportation are not search warrants; they do not permit officers to enter a private business or home without consent.
Remember that you cannot revoke consent to search your property. Do not allow agents to enter without a warrant.
Keep All Potential Evidence Out of Plain Sight
If you see ICE outside your home, talk to them through a crack in the door or go outside to speak to them. Do not open your door all the way, as anything they can see in plain sight from their vantage point can be used as evidence.
Question ICE Presence
As stated above, announcing that ICE is doing a raid could be seen as obstruction of justice. However, loudly questioning why ICE is in a particular location could be a legal way to warn those in the area that immigration officers are nearby.
Remain Silent
You always have the right to remain silent. While you must answer questions regarding your own identity and immigration status, you do not have to answer anything else. Do not answer their questions about immigrants, specific individuals, vehicles, etc.
Avoid lying to officers. Instead, state that you are invoking your 5th Amendment right to silence.
Record the Raid
While they may be federal law enforcement agents, ICE officers can be filmed just like other police. Know your rights when filming police in California and document their acts. If they violate the law or exceed their authority, your footage can provide vital evidence of their wrongdoing.
When ICE Enters a Businesses
Businesses present unique challenges when it comes to ICE investigations. ICE can legally enter any area open to the public. However, they must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter private areas, such as employee-only areas, hotel rooms, classrooms, or hospital rooms. The National Immigration and Law Center has a helpful guide for employers to deal with immigration raids and audits. Here’s a summary of how employees and employers can help protect co-workers and clients:
- Lock areas not open to the public or place “private” signs on the doors.
- If you are a business owner, instruct employees to tell agents to speak with you if ICE arrives.
- Tell agents to talk to your employer if you are not the business owner. Employees should otherwise invoke their right to silence and refuse to answer any questions about clients or employees.
- When the Border Patrol enters your business, protect employee and client records by turning off computer screens and covering up any documents with individual’s private information.
- If ICE has an administrative warrant to arrest a particular employee, you do not need to say if they are on duty that day. You also are not required to take Border Patrol agents to an employee.
- Read search warrants well and do not allow agents to access areas not listed in the warrant.
- Record the agents and save all surveillance footage from the raid.
- If ICE arrests anyone, ask them where they’re taking their detainees. Write the names of any employee who was arrested and notify their families.
Reporting Violations Committed by ICE Agents
If you see ICE or Border Patrol agents violate the law in any way, contact the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You may also share the information with the ACLU, local news, and family members of anyone involved so they can pass it on to their attorneys.
While San Diego attorney Peter M. Liss does not offer immigration services or represent individuals in federal court, he does support those who wish to exercise their constitutional rights. If you do end up arrested or charged with a crime in California, he can help. Please call (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free consultation.
