What to Do If ICE Comes to Your Door: A Complete Guide
The sound of a knock at your door in the early morning hours can be alarming, especially if you suspect it may be Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In 2026, ICE enforcement operations at residential locations have increased across the United States, making it essential for every household member to understand their legal rights and know exactly how to respond. This guide walks you through every step of what to do if ICE comes to your door, based on established constitutional protections and current legal guidance.
Critical reminder: This guide is for informational purposes. It is not legal advice. If you or a family member are facing immigration proceedings, consult with a qualified immigration attorney.
Step 1: Do Not Open the Door
This is the single most important action you can take. You are under no legal obligation to open your door to ICE agents. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures, and this protection applies regardless of your immigration status. ICE agents cannot legally enter your home without either your consent or a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge.
When agents knock, stay calm. Do not open the door, even partially. If your door has a peephole or window, you can look through it to see who is outside. If agents identify themselves, you can communicate through the closed door. Many immigration attorneys recommend speaking through the door rather than opening it, as opening the door — even slightly — can be interpreted as implied consent to entry in some circumstances.
Step 2: Ask for Identification and a Warrant
Through the closed door, ask the agents to identify themselves and state their purpose. Federal agents are required to identify themselves as law enforcement when asked. Then ask the critical question: "Do you have a warrant signed by a judge?"
There is a crucial legal distinction between two types of warrants that ICE agents may present:
Judicial Warrant (Valid for Entry)
A judicial warrant is issued by a federal or state judge, bears the judge's signature, and is issued by a court. This is the only type of warrant that legally authorizes ICE to enter your home without consent. If agents have a judicial warrant, they will typically slide it under the door or hold it up to a window. Verify that it has a judge's signature and the correct address.
ICE Administrative Warrant (NOT Valid for Entry)
ICE frequently uses administrative warrants, also known as Form I-200 (Warrant for Arrest of Alien) or Form I-205 (Warrant of Removal/Deportation). These documents are signed by an ICE supervisor, not a judge. Administrative warrants do not authorize agents to enter your home. If the warrant is signed by a DHS official rather than a judge, agents do not have legal authority to force entry.
How to tell the difference: A judicial warrant will have the header of a court (e.g., "United States District Court"), a case number, and a judge's signature. An ICE administrative warrant will have DHS letterhead and is signed by an ICE official. If you cannot verify the warrant type, do not open the door.
Step 3: Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, country of birth, how you entered the United States, or how long you have been in the country. This right applies to everyone inside the home, regardless of immigration status, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and undocumented individuals.
If agents ask questions through the door, you can say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I do not wish to answer questions without an attorney present." You do not need to provide your name, identification, or any documents unless the agents have a valid judicial warrant specifically naming you.
Step 4: Do Not Sign Anything
If you are detained or if agents present documents for you to sign, do not sign anything without first consulting an attorney. ICE agents may present voluntary departure forms or other documents that waive your legal rights, including the right to appear before an immigration judge. Signing these documents can severely limit your legal options and may result in immediate removal from the country without a hearing.
If agents present a document, say: "I do not wish to sign anything without speaking to my attorney first." You have the right to legal representation in immigration proceedings, though the government is not required to provide an attorney free of charge in immigration cases. Organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and local legal aid societies can help connect you with pro bono representation.
Step 5: Document Everything
If it is safe to do so, document the encounter. Use your phone to record audio or video through a window or peephole. Note the time, the number of agents present, any badge numbers or names agents provide, the types of vehicles they are using, and exactly what they say. This documentation can be critical for any future legal proceedings and helps establish whether agents followed proper legal procedures.
Recording law enforcement in public spaces is a constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment. Inside your home, you have an even stronger right to record. If agents enter your home, continue recording if you can do so safely. Many court cases have been influenced by video evidence showing whether agents properly identified themselves, presented valid warrants, or used excessive force.
Step 6: Have a Family Safety Plan
Every household should have an emergency plan in place before any encounter with ICE. This plan should include the following elements:
- Emergency contacts: Memorize or carry the phone number of an immigration attorney, a trusted family member or friend, and a local immigrant rights organization. Do not rely solely on your phone — write numbers down and keep them accessible.
- Power of attorney: If you have children who are U.S. citizens or lawful residents, designate a trusted person with power of attorney who can care for them if you are detained. Without this designation, children may be placed in state custody.
- Important documents: Keep copies of immigration documents, identification, and any court orders in a secure location that a trusted person can access. Do not carry original immigration documents with you during daily activities, as they can be confiscated.
- Know your rights cards: Print or download "know your rights" cards in your preferred language. Several national organizations provide these free of charge. Keep them near your front door.
- Community network: Establish a network of neighbors and community members who can serve as witnesses, provide childcare in an emergency, or contact your attorney if you are detained.
What If ICE Stops You in Public?
If ICE agents approach you in a public space — on the street, at a bus stop, near a courthouse, or at your workplace — your rights are different from a home encounter. In public, agents do not need a warrant to approach you and ask questions. However, you still have the right to remain silent and the right to refuse consent to a search of your belongings.
If stopped in public, ask: "Am I free to go?" If the agent says yes, walk away calmly. If the agent says no, you are being detained. In that case, state: "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak with an attorney." Do not run, resist, or provide false information, as these actions can result in criminal charges in addition to any immigration consequences.
Reporting ICE Activity in Your Area
If you witness ICE activity in your neighborhood — whether it is agents at a neighbor's door, unmarked vehicles conducting surveillance, or a checkpoint — reporting this activity helps your entire community stay informed. ICE Spotted provides a real-time activity map and anonymous reporting system that requires no login and collects no personal data.