Say and sign nothing: What Red Cards tell immigrants to do if ICE agents come knocking
The Red Cards, bearing advice put out by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, can be printed in 13 different languages.
With President-elect Donald Trump’s administration expected to focus on the United States’ southern border and promising the largest mass deportation effort in the nation’s history, Kansas City immigration attorney Andrea Martinez has already ordered hundreds of the cards in Spanish and been passing them out.
The advice to immigrants without proper documentation could not be more clear: Say nothing, sign nothing and do not open the door to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without consulting an attorney.
“All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution,” the Immigrant Legal Resource Center notes on its website. “The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.”
The advice, translated here:
▪ No abra la puerta: Do not open the door if an immigration agent is knocking.
▪ No conteste ninguna pregunta: Don’t answer any questions from an immigration agent if he tries to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.
▪ No firme nada: Don’t sign anything without first talking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are outside your house, ask the agent if you are free to leave. And if he says yes, leave with peace of mind.
▪ Entregue esta tarjeta al agente: Give this card to the agent. If you are inside your house, show the card through the window or pass it under the door.
The other side of the card is in English. It reads: “I do not wish to speak with you or answer your questions or sign or hand you any documents based on my Fifth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.”
The card also says the person denies access to the house without a warrant, or a search of belongings per the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search or seizure.
Martinez, however, is most worried about people signing papers unwittingly.
“Our concern is that there may be a push for the Department of Homeland Security to deport people unlawfully,” she said. “People have the right to a (deportation) hearing. But they may be pressured when they’re detained to sign their own deportation order. It’s called an expedited removal order.”
The order allows immigration officers to deport an individual without going through the hearing process.
“A lot of times immigrants are told that you’re never going to get out of jail if you don’t sign this,” Martinez said, which is not true. “People get desperate and they sign. Once they do that, they’re deported.”
