Although we cannot share any legal advice on this page, we at Shaheen & Gordon are committed to protecting the rights of immigrants to the United States. This page is meant to direct you to resources across New England that could be useful, whether you’re encountering difficulties with ICE, looking for legal representation, or simply need assistance with your visa.
Your Basic Rights
Everyone in the United States – including undocumented immigrants – has constitutional rights. You have the right to:
- Remain silent when questioned.
- Refuse consent to searches of your home or belongings.
- Refuse to answer questions about where you were born, if you are a U.S. citizen, or the way in which you entered the country.
- Speak to a lawyer before answering questions.
- Refuse to sign documents you do not understand.
- Request an interpreter if needed.
The NHDP’s Know Your Rights Toolkit provides a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to understanding your rights.
Red Cards
First and foremost, if you fear that you may be targeted by ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement), we recommend that you print and cut out a sheet of red cards. Not only do these have a written reminder of your constitutional rights and provide basic guidance in the event, but they inform the agent that you do not need to or wish to speak with them, consent to a search, or let them into your home.
They can be slipped under doorways or through windows to safely let ICE agents know that you are invoking your constitutional rights. These rights apply to everyone in the United States, regardless of their immigration status.
You can find printable red cards in many different languages on this page at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (IRLC). The IRLC is also a home to many other informative resources that can teach you more about your legal options.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Action Plan
In case you or a family member is detained by ICE, every household should prepare the following:
- Emergency contacts list
- Emergency contact provided to your child’s school or day care so that there is an individual authorized to pick up your child/children
- Copies of immigration documents
- Power of attorney for children
- A trusted lawyer contact
- Family reunification plan
- Savings for emergencies
What to Do When You’re Stopped by ICE or the Police
While an understanding of your rights under the Constitution and an Emergency Preparedness Checklist can be useful in preparing in case of a stop by ICE or the police, it can be useful to know what to do if you are actively being stopped by ICE or the police. Fortunately, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire (ACLU NH) has compiled a list of guides covering everything from a stop close to the border to the arrival of ICE at your home. In every instance, it is important to stay calm and know your rights, even in the face of a frightening and often aggressive situation. Familiarizing yourself with some of these scenarios can help you keep a level head, no matter how you encounter the police or ICE.
If You Are Detained
Even if you are detained, it is important to know that you still have rights, and that legal aid is well within reach. If your loved one is detained at the Strafford County Jail or other New Hampshire ICE detention facilities and facing removal from the U.S., the New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) Immigration Unit can offer help through its partnership with 603 Legal Aid. The organization Welcoming New Hampshire also has a page outlining resources and attorneys that may be helpful, including our team of skilled immigration attorneys.
If you or your loved one is unjustly detained in Massachusetts, the Political Asylum/Immigrant Representation (PAIR) Project or Catholic Charities Boston may be able to provide a consultation and legal services.
If you have been detained, it is likely that talking to a lawyer may be your best course of action. A lawyer can offer legal advice and help you navigate the thornier elements of immigration law on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Our immigration attorneys at Shaheen & Gordon can assist you through this process. You can call us at 800-451-1002 or send us a message through this site to discuss your legal options.
If you’re worried that you cannot afford an attorney, Justice.gov has a list of pro bono immigration attorneys across the United States that may be able to represent you.
If You Are Undocumented and Seeking Citizenship or Looking for Help with Your Visa
If you are in the United States and hoping to become a citizen, pathways are available to you even if your income is low. Several organizations are able to help you apply for citizenship, such as Catholic Charities NH, the Greater Lawrence Action Council, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Maine, and the International Institute of New England, depending on where you live.
Our immigration attorneys can guide you through the challenging paperwork involved in the immigration process and make sure that you’re properly supported and safe. You can call 800-451-1002 or send us a message through this website to learn more about the options available to you. Our team of talented immigration attorneys are always willing to help, but if you are in need of pro bono representation, you may be able to find lawyers in your state at ImmigrationLawHelp.org.
If You Are a Refugee
Many of the resources outlined on this page could be of assistance to you, but we would also like to outline New Hampshire’s Refugee Program, which offers training and services to help you adapt to your new home. Catholic Charities NH can also aid with family reunification, and the New Hampshire Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR) can connect you with other refugees and immigrants to help you build a community.
If you’re in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition offers a variety of services that can aid you with everything from education to shelter to immigration pathways. Other Helpful Resources
- If you recently immigrated to the U.S., Building Community in New Hampshire can help you find a job and establish yourself in your new home. Similarly, the International Institute of New England offers job skills training.
- If you are a child who has immigrated to the U.S. without a parent or guardian, you can get free legal aid through Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).
- The American Friends Service Committee’s NH Program organizes demonstrations, advocates for immigrant rights, and can help keep you informed on immigrant-related actions taken in the N.H. Senate.
- The Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) helps refugees and immigrants to find employment, access benefits, receive training, and support immigration into the N.H. community through case management and programs.
- Whether you are an immigrant or not, if you are close with your neighbors, you may wish to start an ICE watch group in your neighborhood. There’s an op-ed here that talks about helpful ways to organize and coordinate communication that could keep your neighbors safe.
