The increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in many California cities and throughout the U.S. in the past few months has led to violence, instability, and uncertainty. This leaves many wondering what to do if ICE knocks on your door in California. First, know that without a judicial warrant, you are not required to talk with ICE, nor should you open your door. Remaining aware of all your rights can help protect you and your family.
If you are a U.S. citizen or a legal or illegal immigrant, the law applies, and you have a right to exercise due diligence, be afforded due process, and seek the help and protection of a California deportation lawyer.
While ICE has had increased scrutiny in recent months, the agency has spent years conducting arrests, detentions, and removals. There were 33,417 arrests by ICE from fiscal year 2022 to 2024 by the three ICE field offices in California: Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. At the same time, those offices reported 73,641 detentions and 26,156 removals.
Of the arrests reported by these offices in 2024, 28% had no criminal conviction, and in 2023, 62% of the arrests had no criminal conviction. In all of California, only 25.7% of those in ICE custody had a criminal history.
If ICE knocks on your door, regardless of your immigration status, there are California laws protecting immigrants’ civil rights. It’s important to understand these rights and how they influence what steps you should take. This includes:
You have different rights if you are pulled over in a vehicle or if you are approached at work. It’s important to be aware of what steps you should take in these circumstances, too.
It is useful for individuals and families to make plans to prepare for actions by ICE, including:
As soon as you are approached by ICE, immediately request a lawyer. A California deportation lawyer will work with you through the legal road ahead and help you pursue the right outcome for you and your family. The team at U.S. Law Center can help.
If ICE agents knock on your door, you should not open the door or allow them in. ICE agents need a warrant or your consent to enter and search your home. ICE agents may provide a warrant that is signed by an ICE agent, which does not give them the ability to enter your home. Only warrants signed by a judge give them authority.
You have rights against ICE in California and throughout the U.S., regardless of your citizenship or immigration status. This includes the right to remain silent if you are detained, interviewed, or arrested by ICE agents or other law enforcement. You also have the right to secure legal representation, and you should get an attorney to protect your rights before signing anything. You have the right to refuse to open the door for ICE agents without a valid warrant.
It is not illegal not to open the door for ICE agents. You should only open the door if ICE provides a valid warrant signed by a judge, which names the person in your residence or the area in your home that is being searched. ICE agents are only allowed to enter with a valid warrant. Have the warrant slid under the door or held up a window.
You might be able to file a claim against ICE for detaining you if you’re a citizen, although the claim would be against the federal government rather than ICE. You may be able to file a claim based on an arrest without probable cause, an unreasonable search and seizure, or other constitutional violations. You can file a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act for wrongful detention, although these cases are complex.
U.S. Law Center has spent years protecting the rights of those most affected by ICE. Contact our firm today if you are afraid of an interaction with ICE or if you or a loved one has had contact with ICE. Let our team put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
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