FOR IMMIGRANTS AND ALLIES SUPPORTING
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS FOR IMMIGRANTS
Everyone has rights—regardless of their immigration status. Knowing your rights is crucial for protecting yourself, your family, and your community. This page provides essential resources to help immigrants understand their rights, prepare for encounters with law enforcement, and access tools that empower them to respond effectively in difficult situations. Share these resources with your community and help others stay informed!
The information and resources shared on this page were curated by a subgroup of BASIC. Please refer to this page from time to time for updates and relevant additions.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RESOURCES
Understanding your rights is crucial when interacting with law enforcement or immigration authorities. Know Your Rights resources provide clear, reliable guidance on how to protect yourself and respond in various situations.
These resources offer multilingual materials, step-by-step guides, and legal information to help you stay informed and prepared.
American Civil Liberties Union:
We Have Rights
Offers videos that outline how to safely navigate encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities.
American Civil Liberties Union:
Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Rights
Provides detailed guides with step-by-step instructions on responding to law enforcement or immigration officials when questioned about immigration status.
Immigrant Defense Project:
Know Your Rights with I.C.E
Features infographics, flyers, and booklets with practical steps for handling encounters with I.C.E at home, in public, or at work.
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition:
Know Your Rights
Provides guides, videos, and printable materials to help immigrants understand their legal rights in various situations.
National Immigration Law Center:
Everyone Has Certain Basic Rights
Offers informational guides covering fundamental rights for all individuals, regardless of immigration status, including law enforcement interactions, workplace protections, and access to legal support.
RED CARDS – ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS
Red Cards are an essential tool for asserting your rights during encounters with law enforcement or immigration agents. Simply hand the card to an officer or agent to assert your rights without having to speak.
These cards provide clear statements to help you exercise your rights effectively:
- You have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer any questions.
- You do not have to open your door unless an officer has a valid warrant signed by a judge.
- You have the right to speak to a lawyer before answering any questions or signing any documents.
It’s a good idea to keep multiple Red Cards handy—in your wallet, at home, and with trusted family members—so you’re always prepared. You can order physical Red Cards or download and print them for free.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 4 IMMIGRANTS APP
The Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants app provides immediate access to information about your rights. Available in 16 languages, it can speak your rights aloud to law enforcement in English and instantly notify your chosen emergency contacts via text.
The app features:
- Key rights you should know
- A legal help directory
- An I.C.E detainee page
- Family Preparedness forms
- Embassy locations
Download the app here:
Install KYR for Apple
Install KYR for Android
Find Legal Help
Navigating immigration challenges can be complex, and having access to trustworthy legal assistance is crucial. These resources connect individuals with experienced immigration attorneys and accredited representatives that provide guidance and support.
Berkshire Immigrant Center
Family-Based Immigration Law
Offers legal consultations and representation with accredited case workers to assist immigrants with visas, citizenship applications, DACA renewals, and more.
Central West Justice Center
Humanitarian-Based Immigration Law
Provides consultations and representation through its staff attorneys, helping immigrants with asylum applications, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), protections for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, and more.
National Immigration Legal Assistance Directory
A nationwide directory that helps individuals locate qualified immigration attorneys and nonprofit legal service providers based on their location and legal needs.
HELPLINES AND HOTLINES IN MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Immigration Helpline – (508) 293-1871
The helpline cannot give you individual legal advice or representation, but can share important information and resources including:
- Guidance on how to find information about your immigration court case or a pending immigration application
- General information about immigration pathways and processes
- Information about resources for immigrants
- Know Your Rights information
- Information on what to do after someone has been detained by immigration
Lawyers for Civil Rights
Immigrant Defense Hotline – (617) 988-0606
LCR is providing timely and free legal advice for immigrants facing imminent threats related to immigration enforcement, such as immigration raids or mass deportations.