When may ICE enter my home?

Immigration officers may NOT enter your home unless they have a warrant.  A warrant is a document issued by a court or government agency.  There are two types of warrant — An arrest Warrant, one for when they are coming to arrest you, and another – Search Warrant- for when they have permission from a judge to search your home. If you are served with a warrant it is important to review the document that has been handed to you by ICE agents and review the document to ensure that it is in fact a warrant as described. It is important to do this since a ruse used by ICE Agents is to present a warrant issued by ICE itself.

If an officer knocks on your door, do not open it. Ask the officer through the closed door to identify himself.  You can say, “Who are you with?” or “What agency are you with?” The officer might say that he is with “The Department of Homeland Security” or “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”  The officer might name another agency.  No matter what, keep the door closed.  Through the closed door, ask the officer if he has a warrant.

 If he says “yes,” still do not open the door.  Ask him to show you the warrant by slipping it under the door.