*This page will be periodically updated with more resources and answers to general questions.

This page was last updated on February 28, 2025.

General FAQ

  • Everyone has rights regardless of their immigration status. Visit our Know Your Rights page for more information, including a toolkit to print and keep on hand.

    YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO…

    • REMAIN SILENT​

      To exercise this right, say loudly: “I wish to remain silent”​

    • NOT PERMIT ENTRY TO YOUR HOME, CAR, OR PHONE​

      It is NOT necessary to give access to your property unless ICE or the Police have a signed Judicial Warrant ​

    • NOT SIGN ANYTHING​

    • SPEAK WITH AND BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY​

      Visit our legal assistance page for ​more information, including a list of free legal assistance providers.

      *In immigration cases, you must hire and pay for your own attorney.

      *In criminal cases, an attorney will be provided if you can't afford one.

    • REQUEST A LOCAL TELEPHONE CALL

      Memorize phone numbers of family/friends with legal status

  • Yes, it is possible to be deported even if you have lived in the U.S. for many years, but you can fight your case. Make sure you understand your rights, consult with a qualified immigration attorney, and begin gathering important documents and saving money to prepare for your defense.

  • AT HOME:​

    • Do NOT open the door – teach children not to open the door!​

    • You are NOT required to open the door unless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a warrant signed by a judge​

    • If they ask to enter, tell them to show you the judicial warrant through a window or slipped under the door​

    • If they force their way in, don't resist. Tell everyone to remain silent.​

    • If you are arrested, remain silent, and do not sign anything until you speak to a lawyer.

    AT WORK:​

    • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must have a warrant signed by a judge or permission from your employer to enter a private area of your workplace​

    • ICE can enter public areas of your workplace without permission. Being in a public area does NOT give ICE authority to stop, question, or arrest anyone without a valid reason or warrant.

    • You do NOT have to answer any questions. You have the right to remain silent!​

    • Do not carry false documents with you

  • Your rights in a vehicle stop by ICE are similar to your home. You should assert your rights even if ICE officers ignore you — using these rights could help you fight a legal case!

    YOU MUST…

    • PULL OVER if stopped by any law enforcement.

    • SHOW YOUR ID

      ONLY the DRIVER is required to show a driver’s license or US government ID.

      Do not show any false documents or foreign documents like a passport or consular ID. 

    YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO…

    • REFUSE TO OPEN YOUR DOOR AND KEEP IT LOCKED unless they show you a signed judicial warrant.

      You may partially roll down your window to communicate or hand over documents, if necessary.

    • ASK THE OFFICER FOR IDENTIFICATION

    • REMAIN SILENT by stating “I wish to remain silent.“

      Do NOT answer questions about your place of birth. 

    • REFUSE TO SHOW OR SHARE ANY PASSENGER INFORMATION

      Passengers do NOT have to show ID or give any personal information. Remain silent by stating “I wish to remain silent.“

    • REFUSE A CAR SEARCH by stating, "I do not consent to a search."

    • ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO GO by stating “Am I free to go?”

  • Thanks to the Castañon Nava Settlement, class members in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri may be eligible for release if detained following a warrantless arrest or during a vehicle stop.

    Report a warrantless arrest to the National Immigrant Justice Center here.

  • In Illinois, there are various city and state policies that protect immigrants. The Illinois TRUST Act prohibits local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement. Local police:

    • CANNOT transfer anyone into immigration’s custody or give access to anyone in local law enforcement custody.    

    • CANNOT provide information in response to any immigration agent’s inquiry.

    • CANNOT stop, arrest, search, or detain anyone solely based on citizenship or immigration status.

    • CANNOT ask you about your immigration status or deny service based on immigration status.

    Report potential TRUST Act violations to the ICIRR hotline: 1-855-435-7693

    Report any Chicago police department misconduct to COPA here.

  • Print and complete our “Emergency Family Plan” in our Know Your Rights Toolkit and keep it handy in case of emergency.

    1. Know & exercise your rights​.

    2. Identify who will take care of your children and update your emergency contact information at your children's school & doctor​.

    3. Memorize important phone numbers​.

    4. Gather important documents in a safe place and let your emergency contact know where to find them.

    5. Get a legal consultation.

  • Start a family plan and talk to your children or dependents about it to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. As part of the plan, you might consider having guardianship documents in place.

    Guardianship documents allow you to legally designate a trusted adult to care for your children if you are unable to do so. These documents can specify who will make decisions about your children’s education, healthcare, and daily needs. Learn more about short-term guardianship from Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

  • There are two ways to locate someone in detention.

    1. Search online at locator.ice.gov by their A-Number and country of birth, or by their full name and country of birth.

    2. Call their country of origin’s consulate emergency line as ICE is required by law to notify consulates when a national from their country is detained. 

      *The emergency line phone number for the Mexican Consulate in Chicago is 1-888-755-5511

      *For Mexican immigrants anywhere in the United States, call 1-520-623-7874

    Report any ICE activity as soon as possible to ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline:1-855-435-7693

    Gather immigration and criminal documents, if any, including prior immigration applications, prior removal orders, or police reports. 

    If your loved one is offered to speak to an attorney by the judge, they should say YES! There are free legal service providers through the Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance assisting individuals detained in Illinois to fight their cases. 

    Depending on your loved one’s immigration and criminal history, they may have a right to a hearing before a judge to fight their case and/or be released on bond. For more information, check out NIJC’s resource page here.

  • Visit our Legal Assistance page to find free immigration legal service providers in Illinois.

    If you are outside of Illinois, find a provider in your state on the Immigration Advocates Network Legal Directory. 

Immigration Relief Options

  • DACA has been facing legal challenges and it is under review by the courts. New applications are being accepted, but they won’t be processed while the court order is in effect.

    Submitting a DACA application for the first time carries risks, like exposure to immigration authorities and potential financial loss. Consult an attorney to understand the full risks.

  • Yes, only individuals who have previously been granted DACA are eligible to submit renewals at this time. You should file your renewal application within the recommended time frame—typically 120 to 150 days (4 to 5 months) before your current DACA status expires.

  • If your DACA has been expired for less than 1 year then you can file a standard renewal.

    If your DACA has been expired for more the 1 year your will need to apply as a first time applicant.  [See question 1]

  • TPS is a form of humanitarian relief for individuals from designated countries affected by conditions such as armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. You must be a national of a country currently designated for TPS and meet specific criteria, including continuous physical presence in the U.S. for a certain period.

    Learn More at https://help.asylumadvocacy.org/temporary-protected-status/

    For Venezuela: On February 2, 2025, the U.S. government made an announcement that revoked the previous extension of TPS for immigrants from Venezuela. Many immigrants and groups are trying to fight against this change. The status of TPS for Venezuela as of February 3 is as follows:

    • If you already have TPS and you first applied before October 3, 2023 (under the 2021 designation), your TPS should be valid until September 10, 2025. 

    • If you already have TPS and you first applied on or after October 3, 2023 (under the 2023 designation), your TPS should be valid until April 7, 2025. 

    • If you have not yet applied for TPS and you have been in the U.S. since July 31, 2023, you should still be able to apply by April 2, 2025. However, it is not clear if USCIS will accept new applications at this time. And if granted, your TPS would only be valid until April 7, 2025.

    For other country-specific TPS information and for the most up-to-date information, review the USCIS website and learn more here.

    You may be eligible for other immigration relief. It’s important that you seek a legal screening with a trusted immigration representative to review your options. Visit our Legal Assistance page to find out more.

  • Asylum is a form of protection that allows individuals to stay in the U.S. if they fear returning to their home country due to persecution. It provides a path to lawful permanent residency.

    To win asylum, you must show all of the following:

    • You have been harmed in the past, or you have good reason to believe that you will be harmed in the future, in your country of origin.

    • This harm is because of a specific characteristic like your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or something else about you that you cannot change or should not have to change.

    • The government of your country of origin has caused or will cause this harm, or the government is unwilling or unable to protect you from this harm.

    • You would not be safe if you moved to another part of your country of origin.

    Asylum is granted to individuals who are already in the U.S. and fear returning to their home country. 

    There are three ways to apply for asylum:

    1. Affirmative Asylum: This applies if you don't already have a case in front of an immigration judge and you're submitting your asylum application directly to USCIS.

    2. Defensive Asylum: This applies if there is already a removal or deportation case against you in front of an immigration judge, and you request asylum as a defense against removal.

    3. Expedited Removal Proceedings: If you're in expedited removal proceedings, you can request asylum during that process.

    You must apply for asylum within one year of arriving in the U.S., unless you qualify for an exception. Additionally, your spouse and children unmarried under 21 can be included in your asylum application.

    Learn more about the asylum process at Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project.

    Visit our Legal Assistance page to find a free immigration legal service provider near you.

  • Victims of crime or domestic violence may access legal protections such as U Visas, T Visas, or support under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These provide relief, work authorization, and, in some cases, a path to permanent residency.

    Social services like shelters, legal aid, and counseling services are often available, regardless of immigration status.

    It is important to report the incident to the police to ensure access to these protections. In Illinois the police cannot ask about your immigration status. Seek guidance from trusted organizations to understand your options

  • If your protection has expired, and you're unable to renew, consult with an attorney to explore other legal status. If no other options are available, remember you are not alone and still have rights, regardless of your immigration status.

    See our Know Your Rights section.

  • You should consult with an attorney or a Department of Justice Accredited Representative (DOJ Representative) to get trusted legal advice. Only licensed attorneys or DOJ Representatives are authorized to give legal advice on your immigration case.

Policy Changes

  • Policy changes have been proposed by the new administration, and some have been implemented, that expand immigration enforcement in the U.S., including detention and deportation.

    TRP expects an increase in deportions in 2025. Anyone who is not authorized to be in the United States is particularly vulnerable for deportation. 

  • We want to be sure that our communities have access to the most up-to-date news and resources. Here’s what you can do:

    1. Continue to visit this website.

    2. Follow us on social media.

    3. Subscribe to our TRP IJ newsletter.

    4. Tune in to our Weekly Immigration Update on Facebook and Instagram Live every Friday at 4 pm CST.

  • Chicago and all of Illinois have laws that prohibit local enforcement officers from asking for an individual's immigration status, detaining them simply because of their immigration status or cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE can still arrest and put individuals in deportation proceedings in any part of the state.

  • Traditionally, ICE had a policy to not conduct raids in areas deemed "sensitive locations,” including schools, hospitals and clinics, places of worship, courts, and other locations. 

    In January 2025, the Trump administration rescinded the sensitive locations memo, allowing ICE to conduct enforcement activities more broadly — around these sensitive locations that were previously protected.

    Many locations, including schools, in Illinois have internal policies to not allow entry for ICE without a warrant signed by a judge. It’s important to always be prepared and remember your rights!

    1. Remain Silent

    2. You have the right to speak to an attorney

    3. Do not answer questions or show documents from another country

  • As of January 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced the expansion of expedited removal. Under this expanded policy, expedited removal applies to any noncitizen who has not been admitted or paroled into the United States and cannot show that they have been here for at least two years.

    If you have resided in the U.S. for MORE than two years: Carry documents with your name, location and date, such as a license or U.S.-issued ID, that prove you have been residing in the country for at least 2 years. 

    ANYONE facing expedited removal who demonstrates fear of returning to their home country or says they want to apply for asylum, will be referred for an interview regarding their fear of return.

    Consult with an immigration attorney to review your options.

  • On January 29, 2025 Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, which expands mandatory detention of undocumented immigrants, and even those with lawful status like DACA or TPS, who are arrested for, charged with, or convicted of certain crimes, including, burglary, larceny, theft, shoplifting, assaulting a police officer, and any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury.


    Consult with an immigration attorney to review how this new law may impact your case.

  • On February 25, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced they will be requiring certain immigrants to register and be fingerprinted.

    As of February 28, 2025, there is no official process in place for registration. We are closely monitoring any developments and will share updates as soon as they become available.

    Stay informed and connected to trusted sources — follow us on social media for the latest news.

Stay Informed and Be Prepared

  • Documents to carry 

    • Valid work authorization documents or green card 

      • However, keep in mind that If these documents are lost or stolen, replacing them will take time and money.

      • As a backup memorize your A# (Alien Registration Number).

    • Municipal ID (City Key)

    • State ID

    • State Driver’s License 

    Documents to avoid carrying

    • Documents from your country of origin 

    • False identity or immigration documents 

  • Some status', like DACA and TPS, require special permission called Advance Parole when traveling outside the U.S.

    Whatever your status, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to decide whether or not to let you back into the country, so it’s important to be prepared and understand your risk. 

    Before traveling, it's best to consult with a trusted immigration legal representative to make an informed decision.

  • Organizations may be able to assist you by preparing you for court, reviewing your documents or help you in finding an attorney. For more information on finding legal assistance, visit our Legal Assistance page.

  • Visit our volunteer page https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/volunteer 

  • Beware of immigration scams and fraud! In general:

    • If it sounds too good to be true… it might be — get a second opinion.

    • Check the person’s credentials.

    • Get everything in writing and copies of any documents prepared. 

    • Notaries cannot give legal advice, they can only verify someone’s identity.

    • Immigration will only  reach out via regular mail or automated messages.

    Report any fraud to the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois by filing a complaint online or by calling: 1-800-386-5438 ​(English) / 1-866-310-8393 (Spanish)​.

For Organizations and Allies

    1. Create safe spaces for community engagement

    2. Make a written response plan

    3. Ensure you indicate public versus private spaces

    4. Train front desk staff & your organization on your rights

    5. Review your security features such as front door policies

    6. Review your data collection policies

    Review more information and sample policies on the National Immigration Law Center’s Guide for Employers.

    1. Volunteer with us or one of the immigrant serving community organizations from our network of partners. If you live outside of Illinios, find a local community organization in your neighborhood.

      *We appreciate your patience as we manage volunteer submissions to the best of our ability. While we may not have an opportunity for you right away, we refer to our registered list for upcoming openings!

    2. Spread the word about TRP Immigrant Justice and organizations like ours that offer vital resources for immigrants and resources for organizations. You can help by sharing our website, social posts, and you can subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed – knowledge is power!

    3. Donate to TPR immigrant Justice, and organizations like ours, to help us continue to provide support for immigrant families in Illinois as they adapt to new challenges.