ICE stopped your car? Here’s what to do immediately in the U.S.
Learn what to do if ICE stops your car. Understand your rights, including the right to remain silent and the steps to take if ICE attempts to search your vehicle or detain you.
If you're stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while driving, it’s crucial to know your rights and what steps to take. ICE has the authority to detain individuals deemed a risk to public safety or flight, and they often use vehicle registration information to track down undocumented immigrants.
However, it's important to remember that the agency cannot stop a vehicle based solely on a person’s perceived ethnicity, which is illegal. If you are detained by ICE, here's what you need to know.
What to do if ICE stops your car in the U.S.?
As the driver, you must stop when a law enforcement officer orders you to stop, even when you believe you didn't do anything wrong. If you fail to stop when ordered by ICE, your law enforcement may use excessive force or violence to stop your vehicle.
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) advises you to remain calm and that you do not want to flee. "ICE will use that as an excuse to arrest you. If possible and if you are safely, take photos, videos, or notes about the encounter," NNIRR argues.
NNIRR reminds you that you have a right to remain silent and that anything you say regarding your immigration status or national origin may be used against you. You have a right to request to speak to your attorney. If you are stopped while driving and asked, the same way you would give a driver’s license, provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
You are able to communicate with the ICE officer by lowering your window. However, ICE officers may ask you to get out of the car. You can ask why you stopped before getting out of the car.
Regarding whether ICE could search your car, generally, they cannot search without a warrant or consent. If ICE searches the car anyway, you can inform them that you do not consent.
