Key Takeaways
• ICE must have a judicial warrant to enter non-public workplace areas; administrative warrants aren’t sufficient for private spaces.
• Employees have the right to remain silent and request a lawyer before answering questions or signing anything from ICE.
• Employers must document all ICE encounters, notify legal counsel quickly, and never destroy or conceal requested documents.
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrives at a workplace, everyone — from employees to business owners — needs to know what to do. Being ready and knowing your legal rights are the best ways to stay safe and avoid problems. Visits from ICE can be unplanned and stressful, so understanding exactly how to respond helps protect people at work and follow the law.
This detailed guide explains each step you should take if ICE shows up at your workplace. You’ll find clear instructions for both employees and employers, tips for preparation, and a summary checklist. The goal is to help you feel confident, stay calm, and make sure everyone’s legal rights are respected.
Why Knowing What to Do Matters
If ICE visits your workplace, they may be looking for certain people, checking documents, or conducting an audit. How you respond can affect your job, your coworkers, and possibly your business. Mistakes during an ICE visit can make things much worse – for example, by giving agents information they aren’t allowed to have or by signing forms you do not understand. It’s important to always act within your legal rights.
Immediate Steps for Employees
- Stay Calm and Still
- Do not run away or panic. Running, hiding, or arguing may put you at risk of being detained. ICE agents are trained to notice this behavior.
- Take a few deep breaths and stay where you are. Keep your hands where agents can see them.
- Do Not Consent or Speak to Agents
- You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your citizenship, or how you entered the United States 🇺🇸.
- Politely say: “I cannot give you permission to enter. You must speak with my employer.”
- Never give agents “permission” to go into non-public areas or show them private documents unless told by your employer or lawyer.
- Use Your Right to Remain Silent
- It is your legal right not to answer ICE’s questions.
- If you choose to remain silent, calmly state, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
- You are not required to say your name, country of origin, or sign anything.
- Request a Lawyer
- If you are detained, say: “I want to speak to a lawyer,” before answering any questions or signing any paper.
- Do not try to explain yourself, even if agents pressure you. Your lawyer should be with you when speaking to ICE.
- Do Not Sign Anything Without Reading or Legal Advice
- Sometimes agents may try to get you to sign papers. These may allow them to deport you or remove your rights.
- Never sign unless you fully understand and have spoken to a trusted lawyer.
- Document the Encounter
- If possible, safely write down or remember agent names, badge numbers, and what they ask.
- Share this with your employer or a union rep as soon as possible.
Note: If you feel scared or unsure, ask to speak with your lawyer right away.
Immediate Actions for Employers
- Notify Management and Legal Help
- If ICE arrives, let the person in charge and any legal advisor know right away.
- Call your immigration attorney if you have one, or use an emergency legal contact list.
- Check and Confirm Agent Identity
- Ask for all agents’ names, badge numbers, and the reason for their visit.
- Write down everything about the agents and the questions they ask.
- Ask for the Purpose of the Visit
- ICE may be doing an “audit,” which means checking paperwork, or a “raid,” which means searching and possibly making arrests.
- If it’s an audit, don’t hand over documents immediately. U.S. law gives you three business days to respond to a Notice of Inspection.
- Handling Warrants
It’s important to know the difference between types of areas and what ICE can and cannot do:- Public Areas (lobby, reception): ICE does not need a warrant. Agents can enter, but you should remain calm and cooperative.
- Private/Non-Public Areas: Agents must have a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge (not just any ICE officer or official).
- The warrant must say “U.S. District Court” and be signed by a judge.
- Administrative warrants (often given by ICE) are not enough for private areas. Only let agents through with a real judicial warrant.
- Politely, But Firmly, Say No to Unlawful Entry
- If agents ask to enter non-public areas, request a copy of their warrant. Read it carefully.
- If they do not have the right kind of warrant, politely say, “You may not enter these areas without a warrant signed by a judge.”
- Do not block the agents physically, but also do not help them or give more information than asked.
- Train and Designate Staff
- Decide ahead of time who will talk to ICE agents (usually a manager). Train this person on what to do and what to say.
- Receptionists and front desk staff should have clear instructions and practice what to do if ICE arrives.
- Document Everything
- Write down which agent was there, when, and what happened. Keep copies of any documents or warrants given to you.
Important: Do not destroy or hide documents. This can lead to legal trouble for you and your business.
What Not to Do During a Workplace ICE Visit
- Never fight with, yell at, or physically block ICE agents.
- Don’t agree to searches or hand over documents unless required by law.
- Don’t sign any papers you do not fully understand.
- Never volunteer extra information or answer questions for employees.
After ICE Leaves
- Meet with All Staff
- Quickly gather employees to explain what happened.
- Reassure workers and remind them of their rights.
- Contact Legal Help
- Speak with your legal team to handle any follow-up or questions.
- Report the incident to your union, if you have one.
- Check for Any Issues
- Make sure no one is missing or detained.
- Write down all details of what happened and keep them in a safe place.
- Reach Out to Support Networks
- If employees need help, connect with trusted local groups or immigrant rights organizations.
How to Prepare Before an ICE Workplace Visit
Preparation is key for protecting your employees and business if ICE ever comes. Here are simple but important steps to take:
- Create a Written Emergency Plan
- Write clear steps for what to do if ICE shows up, including scripts for staff to follow.
- Give Regular “Know Your Rights” Training
- Teach staff about their legal rights, especially the right to remain silent and not to consent to searches.
- Label and Secure Private Areas
- Clearly mark all non-public areas as “Employees Only” and keep doors locked or monitored when possible.
- Build a Contact List
- Keep phone numbers of experienced immigration attorneys in an easy-to-find place.
- Know which staff members have been trained in the ICE response plan.
- Connect with Local Support Groups
- Work with local immigrant rights organizations that can help during enforcement actions.
- Practice Your Plan
- Occasionally review your ICE response plan with staff. Make sure everyone knows their part.
Summary Checklist for ICE Visits at the Workplace
- [ ] Stay calm; never run away or panic.
- [ ] Notify management or legal staff right away.
- [ ] Require a judicial warrant for non-public area entry.
- [ ] Never sign anything without a lawyer’s advice.
- [ ] Do not speak to ICE other than to ask them to speak with management.
- [ ] Train all workers about their rights and responsibilities.
- [ ] Document everything: names, times, reasons agents give.
- [ ] Connect with local immigrant rights groups if help is needed.
- [ ] Do a staff check and review after agents leave.
- [ ] Keep a written record of what happened.
Key Legal Rights Every Worker Should Know
- Right to Remain Silent: You do not have to answer ICE’s questions.
- Right to Refuse Consent: You do not have to let ICE into private work spaces unless they have a proper judicial warrant.
- Right to Speak to a Lawyer: You can ask for an attorney before answering questions or signing anything.
- Do Not Sign Without Understanding: Never sign documents given by ICE unless a lawyer has explained them to you.
- Right to Safe Working Conditions: All workers, no matter their status, are protected from threats or harassment by ICE while at work.
These legal rights make sure that both employees and employers are treated fairly if ICE agents arrive.
Tips for a Safe and Prepared Workplace
- Practice the Emergency Plan: Go through practice runs so everyone knows their role.
- Keep Updated Contact Information: Make sure your emergency legal contacts are current.
- Train Receptionists and Security: These are usually the first to meet ICE agents.
- Keep Records Secure and Organized: Always know where to find your key company documents.
- Mark Private Spaces Clearly: Closed, labeled doors discourage agents from entering without a real warrant.
- Support Each Other: Remind employees that looking out for one another helps keep everyone safe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting ICE move freely into staff-only areas without the right legal paper.
- Giving more information than the law requires.
- Signing documents or answering questions alone, without help.
- Destroying documents after ICE asks for them.
What Happens After an ICE Raid or Audit
Depending on what kind of visit ICE is making—an audit or a raid—employers may have different next steps. For audits, you have three business days to collect and turn in any documents requested (such as I-9 employment forms). For raids, always get legal advice before telling agents anything.
After any ICE action, keep calm, review what happened with your team, and talk to a lawyer about what to do next. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that careful preparation and prompt legal action help protect both workers and employers if immigration authorities show up at the workplace. For more details on employer responsibilities and aiding employees during ICE actions, refer to the official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Worksite Enforcement page.
Additional Resources and Where to Get Help
For official information, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Worksite Enforcement page.
If you or someone you know has trouble during an ICE workplace visit, contact a qualified immigration lawyer or speak with local immigrant rights groups right away. Unions, faith groups, and some community organizations often offer help and know how to direct you to the right people.
Final Thoughts
Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself, your coworkers, and your business if ICE comes to your workplace. Remember that you have legal rights, and knowing them keeps you safer. Practice your emergency plan and always get legal help if you are not sure what to do. Your calm and careful actions can make a big difference for everyone at your job.
Learn Today
Judicial Warrant → A court order signed by a federal judge allowing ICE to enter non-public work areas; required for private access.
Administrative Warrant → A document signed by an ICE official, not a judge; it does not authorize entry to private business areas.
Notice of Inspection → A legal notice from ICE requesting specific workplace documents; employers have three business days to respond.
Right to Remain Silent → The legal right allowing individuals to refuse answering questions from ICE agents during enforcement actions.
Detention → The act of ICE holding an individual in custody, often during workplace enforcement actions or raids.
This Article in a Nutshell
Workplace visits by ICE can be sudden and stressful, but preparation is vital. Know your legal rights: demand a judicial warrant for private areas, remain silent, and request a lawyer. Employees and employers must document everything, seek legal support, and never sign or hand over documents without full legal guidance.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• ICE Arrests 16 Migrants Fleeing Mississippi Business During Workplace Raid
• How to Prepare Your Business for an ICE Workplace Visit
• Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Brings New Challenges for U.S. Workplaces
• How to Prepare for Workplace ICE Raids: A Compliance Guide for Employers
• US Companies Brace for Workplace Raids Amid Immigration Crackdown
