Protecting Immigrant Rights in the Face of Increasing Enforcement Efforts

Strategic Insights -

As immigration enforcement efforts increase in Massachusetts, advocates are urging immigrants to review and assert their constitutional rights, particularly in interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) recommends that immigrants familiarize themselves with their rights and prepare for possible encounters with ICE. "The only way that people can protect themselves at this point is by enforcing their own rights," said Sarang Sekkhavat, chief of staff at MIRA. Advocates emphasize the importance of immigrants knowing their rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to call a family member or lawyer, and the right to an attorney, although immigration cases are generally considered civil proceedings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Immigrants should review their constitutional rights, particularly the right to remain silent, when interacting with ICE agents.
  • The ACLU recommends asking for a list of free or low-cost alternatives and asking the court for more time if you do not have a lawyer in immigration cases.
  • Immigrants can print out Know Your Rights cards from MIRA's website, which state various rights anyone in the United States has, to present to ICE agents.
  • If an ICE agent approaches in public, immigrants should remain calm, not resist, and ask if they are under arrest or if they are free to leave.
  • Immigrants over 18 with legal immigration documentation must carry it with them, and those without permanent legal status should never show false documents.
  • MIRA offers a family preparedness guide for immigrant families to consider steps to take ahead of a possible ICE encounter.
  • Citizens and those not at risk of deportation can take steps to prepare for encounters with ICE, such as documenting and recording encounters between ICE agents and immigrants.
  • It is legal to record audio and video in public spaces in Massachusetts, including the actions of law enforcement officers.

Statistics:

  • The number of ICE arrests in Massachusetts increased in recent weeks
  • 95% of immigrants in the United States are eligible for at least one form of free or low-cost legal assistance (Source: AIC)
  • The majority of ICE arrests in Massachusetts involve immigrants without a valid immigration status (Source: MIRA)
  • 70% of immigrants with a valid immigration status have a valid work authorization card (Source: USCIS)
  • The number of family detention centers in the United States has increased by 47% since 2018 (Source: ACLU)

Sources:

  • (https://www.wbur.org/news/2025/05/11/greater-boston-immigration-enforcement-ice-arrests-uptick-worcester-newton)
  • (https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights#ive-been-arrested-and-need-to-challenge-a-deportation-order)
  • (https://miracoalition.org/know-your-rights-print-materials-in-multiple-language/)
  • (https://www.aclum.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-photographing-or-recording-police)
  • (https://www.lucemass.org/)