This page provides critical, actionable information to help you understand and exercise your constitutional rights, create emergency preparedness plans, and protect yourself and your loved ones with confidence and dignity. From emergency family planning to understanding your legal protections during interactions with immigration authorities or federal law enforcement, these resources are designed to empower you with clear, practical guidance that transcends fear and uncertainty.

Know Your Rights

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Printable KYR Toolkit

Other Resources

Know Your Rights Trainings

Our trainings are designed to ensure that immigrants know what to do if they encounter ICE or federal agents — from understanding your rights, protecting family members and assets, to getting legal help.

*We encourage community members to browse our pre-scheduled trainings before submitting a training request.

Pre-scheduled virtual trainings:

Know Your Rights
- English - Tuesdays 2pm CST
- Spanish - Thursdays 6pm CST
Organizational Readiness
Small Business Readiness

If the prescheduled virtual trainings don’t work, fill out this form to request a training for community members, staff at your organization, or community navigators.

Trainings available upon request:

Know Your Rights
Emergency Family Planning
Protection of Assets
Organizational Readiness
Small Business Readiness

Know Your Rights Video Series

In partnership with the Illinois Immigration Information Hub

What To Do If Federal Agents Approach Your Vehicle

How to Create a Family Emergency Plan

General Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights Recap

Watch our video, read our FAQ for a general overview, and download our PDF documents below for more detailed information and emergency planning materials.

Watch more Informational videos in 6 languages here

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
- REMAIN SILENT
- NOT sign any documents
- CALL AN ATTORNEY before answering questions
- NOT provide personal information about birth or entry
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
- REMAIN SILENT
  - To exercise this right, say loudly: “I wish to remain silent”
- NOT PERMIT ENTRY TO YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY
  - It is NOT necessary to open the door unless ICE or the Police have a signed Judicial Warrant
    All valid warrants must be signed by a judge
    Warrant must contain correct name and address
    Warrant must specify a valid date
    Administrative warrants do not allow home entry
- NOT SIGN ANYTHING
- SPEAK WITH AND BE REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY
- REQUEST A LOCAL TELEPHONE CALL
  - Memorize phone numbers of family/friends with legal status
  - Contact your attorney or the ICIRR Family Support Hotline: 1-855-435-7693

Know Your Rights!

Learn more about your rights in Illinois

Be Prepared!

• Choose emergency caregivers and talk to them
• Memorize your emergency contact phone number
• Update your child’s pickup permissions with their school
• Document medical conditions and medications
• Ensure children have passports
• No court involvement required for short-term guardianship (up to 365 days)
• Can be signed by parent and guardian with two witnesses
• Revocable at any time by parent
• For more information on short term guardianship visit Illinois Legal Aid Online
• Download, print and fill out “Emergency Family Plan” document
• Include IDs, certificates, legal documents, medical records
• Include your immigration attorney information
• Separate sections for each family member
• Keep documents in a safe, accessible location
• Share location with your emergency contact
• Memorize your emergency contact phone number
• Call your consulate