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Know Your Rights and Be Prepared

Below, please find information about what documents you should consider carrying with you, in hard copy and/or as scans on your phone, if you are concerned about a potential interaction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

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None of the information on this page is intended as legal advice, and it does not take the place of consulting with an immigration attorney. This is general information.

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For everyone who is not a US citizen 

If you have ever been charged with a crime or offense in the US, please talk to your immigration attorney (if you are a current client) or schedule a consultation with an immigration lawyer. 

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Make sure you have saved the phone number for your immigration attorney (if you have one) and at least one emergency contact person.

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Review your rights. Below are links to Know your Rights Flyers in the following languages from the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA):   
English

Arabic

Cape Verdean Creole

Español

Português

Kreyòl ayisyen

Traditional Chinese & Simplified Chinese

Russian

Somali

Ukrainian

Vietnamese

French

If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR, aka green card holder)

Carry your green card with you at all times.

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If you are in immigration court proceedings

Carry with you a copy of your upcoming court hearing notice and your work permit if you have one.  If your court proceedings were administratively closed, you should carry the judge’s decision showing proceedings were administratively closed.

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If you have been ordered removed from the U.S.

If there is an appeal or motion to reopen pending, consider carrying evidence of that filing with you.   Speak with an immigration attorney about your case. If you are required to check-in with ICE/ERO, you should discuss these requirements with an attorney before any required check-in.  

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If you have an asylum application pending, with the court or with the Asylum Office

Carry with you a copy of your asylum application receipt or proof that you completed biometrics for your asylum case, a copy of your upcoming court hearing notice, your work permit. 

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If you have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and/or have a pending application for TPS

Carry with you a copy of your TPS approval notice, a copy of the receipt if you have a TPS application pending, your work permit if you have one.

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If you were paroled into the US and have been in the US for at least 2 years

Carry with you copies of evidence that you have been in the US for the last 2 years, such as a lease or mortgage that is at least 2 years old and has your name on it; US bank or credit card statements from the last two years; medical records showing doctors appointments over the last 2 years. 

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For more information:

Reach out to your immigration attorney (if you have one) or schedule a consultation with a trusted attorney. 

You can also find more resources and information online here:

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