🧊 ICE Tea Watch
Privacy-safe community reporting for ICE and law enforcement activity.
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⚠️ Court Dismissal Doesn’t Mean You’re Safe
If someone’s case is dismissed in immigration court , it means the judge is closing the case — but it does not mean they are protected from deportation.
- ICE can still detain and deport someone through expedited removal.
- Dismissals often happen for technical or policy reasons — not because status is secure.
- If someone has no lawful status, they may still be at risk even after a dismissal.
The only way to be fully protected is to secure lawful status (asylum, green card, etc.). Even then, it’s important to stay aware of changing laws and ICE tactics.
Community support, rapid response, and accurate reporting can protect our people.
If Someone is Arrested by ICE
Ask these questions to get the most important information quickly.
- Where are you right now?
- When were you taken?
- Full name
- Date of birth
- A-number (if known)
- Who arrested you? (ICE, police, etc.)
- Did they show a warrant? Was it signed by a judge?
- Did they enter your home or stop you in public?
- Who should we contact for you?
- Do you have children or dependents who need care?
- Any medical conditions, medications, or disabilities?
- Are you especially at risk in detention?
- Have you had any court date or removal order before?
- Have they told you what happens next?
- Are they letting you make calls?
- Do you already have a lawyer? If yes, who?
Know Your Rights
All individuals in the United States have rights, regardless of immigration status. The following information can help you protect yourself and your family, and defend your rights.
1. Create a safety plan
- Identify your emergency contacts and memorize their phone numbers.
- Provide your child’s school or day care with an emergency contact to pick up your child.
- Provide written authorization for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child.
- Tell your loved ones that if you are detained by ICE, they can try to find you using ICE’s detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
- Learn about guardianship options if you are a parent in Illinois or Indiana (PDF guides).
2. Defend your rights
All persons in the United States have constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent. During any interaction with law enforcement:
- Stay calm. Do not run, argue, resist, or fight the officer. Keep your hands visible. Notify them before reaching for anything.
- Do not lie about your immigration status or provide false documents.
- At a traffic stop, ask whether the officer is from ICE or CBP. Immigration officers sometimes call themselves “police.”
- If you are documented: Carry proof of status (e.g., green card or work permit) if you are over 18.
- If you are undocumented: You can remain silent. Do not answer questions about your immigration status.
- If someone knocks on your door: Don’t open it. ICE needs a judge-signed warrant to enter.
- If outdoors and ICE is nearby: Move indoors if possible.
- If you are a citizen and feel safe: Record or document the event without interfering.
- Do not post unverified alerts or put yourself in harm’s way.
⚠️ ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges. They do not give agents permission to enter your home.
⚠️ Teach children not to open the door. Officers cannot enter without consent unless they have a proper warrant.
