Know Your Rights Resources

This page is dedicated to collecting up to date resources to help inform community members on their rights when interacting with law enforcement, include Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Police. Resources will be added and deleted as they change or become updated.  If you have a suggestion or updated information, please send it to sara@ferndalecs.org. 

Also, several wonderful Whatcom organizations are working directly with impacted immigrant families and they could use our support.  See a list of places you can donate to at the bottom of this page.

Flyers and Downloadable Resources

IDP has LOTS of downloadable flyers and infographics. Here are a few:

KYR with ICE Flyer

This flyer describes who’s at risk of being arrested and what to do if ICE approaches you at home or on the street.  

English                  Spanish                    Other Languages

What to do if ICE comes to your home

English                  Spanish                    Other Languages

Getting pulled Over by ICE

English                   Spanish              Other Languages

A Spanish language only workbook to prepare for ICE arrest ahead of time. 

Collections of infographics on topics such as emergency preparedness, ICE on the streets, ICE at my door, ICE in my home, car stops, common ICE ruses, and documenting ICE raids, 

Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

WAISN is a network of organizations providing support and services to immigrant and refugee communities across Washington state.  WAISN has a database of providers, and also operates a hotline to report ICE activity. They network of partners will respond to reported ICE activity to support impacted individuals.  The have an accompaniment program, that provides a trained volunteer for individuals facing deportation or other immigration proceedings. 

To access the hotline and report ICE activity, dial 844-724-3737.

These flyers explain what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) comes to your door or you have an encounter with immigration officials, what to do if you witness immigration activity by ICE or CBP, and examples of judicial warrants and ICE warrants.

In the U.S everyone has certain constitutional rights and protections regardless of their immigration status or who is president. You have the legal right to film the police and/or immigration officers if they are in a public place and if the filming does not impede the performance of their duties.

Bystander Guidelines flyer in ENGLISH and SPANISH

The WAISN Accompaniment Program supports immigrant and refugee community members navigating crucial legal and administrative appointments in Washington state. Attending these appointments can be stressful and challenging, especially when facing legal issues or immigration proceedings.

Accompaniment Brochure in ENGLISH and SPANISH

NIJC’s KYR page has a comprehensive overview AND samples of the various types of warrants so we know how to distinguish an arrest order (can’t enter a home with this) from a court issued search warrant (can enter a home with this).

KYR flyers, outreach materials, wallet cards, and information for various interactions such as with ICE, police, etc. in MANY different languages. 

Power point presentation about 4th Amendment Rights for Organizations -VERY HELPFUL info about how organizations can prepare and plan.

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The Know Your Rights Red Cards were created to help people assert their rights and defend themselves against constitutional violations. Knowing and asserting rights can make a huge difference in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. Red cards provide critical information on how to assert these rights, along with an explanation to ICE agents that the individual is indeed asserting their rights.  These cards can be ordered on this website, or you can also find downloadable graphics to print your own.  They are frequently sold out, so check back often.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.  They do this by providing legal representation and community resources.  Their website is full of resources and connections to other agencies. A few resources are shared below, but explore their website for more.

KYR Flyer in ENGLISH and SPANISH

Guidance for Non-Profits

Flyer with information about how employer should respond to ICE raids at the workplace

This resource is developed by the ACLU.  And HERE is a link to a wallet sized card for reference. 

Family Safety Planning by Legal Counsel for Youth and Children

LCYC’s website is an important resource, and they have also developed a comprehensive planning document families can use to prepare for family separation.  They also offer train the trainer webinars to learn best practices for using the planning document, and videos of past presentations can be found on their website as well. 

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

ILRC has also put together a family planning guide available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

They have also put together this incredible toolkit with videos available in 7 languages!

Keep Washington Working

This is a comprehensive bill that was passed in Washington state that clarified and changed the ways local police can interact with ICE.  Find a good overview of the law HERE and a comprehensive pamphlet HERE.  Also specific guidance for health facilities HERE.

KYR App for iPhone

This new KYR iPhone app is available in 16 languages. It can read your rights out loud to an ICE or law enforcement agent and send a message to an emergency contact. It has other resources, such as the ability to look up a consulate and a sample family preparedness plan.

Resources for Schools

Building Sanctuary Presentation

This slideshow is from staff at Franklin HS in Seattle and can be edited to fit your school(s). 

OSPI Guidance

Protections for Immigrant Students in WA K-12 Public Schools

Keep Washington Working

Specific guidance from KWW about ICE and schools

Sample policy for responding to ICE in schools

Find the sample policy HERE.

Organization that supports new immigrant families, with a specific focus on education and students.  Created THIS comprehensive list of resources.

Resources for Homeless Service Providers

Local Organizations to Support

IRIS works directly with immigrant families to help them stabilize.

Direct support for impacted families.

The family support fund exists to provide families with basic needs in the face of an emergency.  Every dollar donated to the family support fund is used directly by the Bellingham School District Family Engagement team to provide things like food, clothing, medication, transportation and rent and utility support for families facing incredible challenges.