If ICE agents show up at your door

If you live in the U.S., knowing what to do if ICE agents show up at your door can make the difference between protecting your rights and making a mistake that complicates your case.

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that enforces immigration laws, and its agents may approach you at home, at work, or in public.

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In the next few lines, you’ll see what to do (and what NOT to do) if ICE agents show up at your door, how to check whether they have a valid warrant, what phrases to use so you do not give consent, and when it’s critical to speak with an attorney. If you need personalized guidance, you can consult our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles before a situation escalates.

What you should know before you act if ICE agents show up at your door in the United States (2026)

The baseline rule is simple: you have rights, even if you do not have legal status. The key is to use them calmly, without arguing, and without sharing unnecessary information.

Your rights exist even if you don’t have papers

Some of the most important rights include:

• You can remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your status, your country of origin, or how you entered the U.S.
• You do not have to open the door. If they do not show a judge-signed warrant, you can keep the door closed.
• Do not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer. Signing documents you do not understand can have serious, irreversible consequences.

Organizations such as the ACLU remind people that exercising these rights is not an admission of guilt—it is basic legal protection.

The key difference: what kind of “warrant” ICE has

A common mistake is assuming that any document ICE shows gives them the right to enter your home. That is not true. In practice, there are two scenarios:

• Judicial warrant: it must be signed by a judge and it authorizes only what the document specifically states.
• Administrative warrant: it is usually signed by an immigration officer (not a judge) and, in most cases, it does not allow entry into your home without your consent.

Fewer words, fewer risks

When people are nervous, they often over-explain. That does not help. The safest approach is to repeat short phrases such as:

• “I want to exercise my right to remain silent.”
• “I do not consent to entry.”
• “I want to speak to a lawyer.”

Do not lie, do not present false documents, and do not sign papers “just to get it over with.” If your case could lead to deportation, getting legal advice early is critical.

What to do if ICE agents show up at your door

If ICE comes to your home, knowing what to do if ICE agents show up at your door in that moment is key. The most important thing is to keep the door closed and speak from inside.

Use a simple script:

• “Can you identify yourself? What agency are you with?”
• “Do you have a judge-signed warrant? Slide it under the door or show it through a window.”
• “I do not consent to you coming in.”
• “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer.”

If they insist, do not argue—repeat the same script.

Step 1: Do not open the door

You are not required to open the door just because someone knocks or says they are ICE, the police, or DHS. Ask for identification through the peephole or a window.

Step 2: Ask for the warrant and check only the essentials

If they claim they have a warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or show it through a window. Check only:

• The name of the person they are looking for.
• The correct address.
• The signature (judge or ICE).
• Exactly what it authorizes.

If the document mentions arrest, search, or both, pay close attention to what it allows and any limits listed.

If you do not understand it, do not guess—get legal help as soon as possible.

Step 3: If it’s not a judge-signed warrant, say one thing

If it is not signed by a judge, say clearly:

• “I do not consent to entry.”

Then remain silent. Do not answer questions about status, country of origin, or who lives in the home.

Step 4: If they force their way in, do not resist

Do not struggle or physically block them. Say out loud:

• That you do not consent to the entry or any search.
• That you want to speak to a lawyer.

This helps protect your rights for anything that happens afterward.

ICE warrants: the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative warrant

This is critical to understanding what to do if ICE agents show up at your door. The typical mistake is confusing administrative paperwork with a judge’s authorization to enter.

Key clarification: a “removal order” is not the same as a warrant to enter your home

An administrative warrant or an order of removal does not automatically equal a judge-signed warrant that lets ICE enter your home without consent. To enter without permission, a judge-signed warrant authorizing entry is typically required.

Judicial warrant (signed by a judge)

It typically includes a name, address, a judge’s signature, and whether it authorizes arrest, search, or both. Even then, you still have the right to remain silent.

ICE administrative warrant

This is often the most common. It is usually signed by an ICE officer and does not authorize entry into your home without your permission.

If the document is not signed by a judge, you can refuse consent.

Why this difference can change everything in your case

Giving consent (out of fear or confusion) can lead to an avoidable detention, put family members at risk, and make future defenses harder. If ICE enters without a valid judge-signed warrant, your attorney may challenge the legality of the encounter in court.

Exact steps to follow if ICE agents show up at your door (checklist)

What to do

• Keep the door closed.
• Ask for identification and what agency they are with.
• Ask whether they have a judge-signed warrant.
• Ask to see it through a window or slid under the door.
• Check only the essentials: name, address, and signature.
• If it is not judge-signed, state that you do not consent to entry.
• Exercise your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer.

What NOT to do

• Do not open the door “just to talk.”
• Do not give long explanations.
• Do not show false documents.
• Do not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.
• Do not answer questions about your immigration status.

If ICE detains you

If ICE decides to detain you:

• You have the right to call a lawyer.
• You can ask whether you qualify for immigration bail bonds, depending on your record and circumstances.
• In some cases, defenses may exist such as cancellation of removal or other forms of immigration relief.

The process often goes through the Immigration Court under the Department of Justice’s EOIR, where the court determines whether the person is removable and what defenses may be available.

Do I have to open the door for immigration?

In most cases, you are not required to open the door to ICE. You should open only if there is a judge-signed warrant that expressly authorizes entry.

If there is a valid judge-signed warrant, do not physically resist, remain silent, and ask to speak with a lawyer.

In these situations, having representation in Los Angeles Immigration Court from the beginning can make a real difference.

What happens if you step outside and talk to ICE

Stepping outside “just to talk” almost never helps you. Once you are outside, ICE no longer needs to enter—you already came out.

• A conversation can turn into a detention.
• Simple questions can complicate your case.
• They may pressure you to sign documents.

If you already stepped out and ICE holds you

If ICE decides to hold you, you may be kept in custody while they verify your status and begin removal proceedings. Depending on the case, bond may be available—or detention may be prolonged.

There may also be defenses such as asylum or withholding of removal. Every situation requires legal analysis.

If you fear a conversation could end in arrest, review the legal alternatives to immigrant detention that may exist depending on your circumstances.

How to protect yourself if ICE tries to force entry

If they pressure you to open the door, stay in control: keep the door closed, use few words, and do not consent.

If ICE tries to enter without a judge-signed warrant

If there is no warrant signed by a judge, you can keep the door closed and say:

• “I do not consent to entry.”

Then remain silent and ask for a lawyer.

If ICE forces entry

Do not physically resist. Say out loud: “I do not consent to your entry or any search” and “I want to speak to a lawyer.”

Can ICE enter private property or demand papers?

Generally, ICE cannot enter private property without a valid judge-signed warrant or without the resident’s consent.

ICE can ask for documents, but asking does not mean forcing. You are not required to show immigration documents. That said, do not lie and do not present false documents.

If the encounter turns into formal proceedings, it helps to understand the different types of deportation in the U.S., because not all cases follow the same process or have the same consequences.

What it means if ICE has a detainer (“ICE hold”)

An ICE detainer (ICE hold) is a request, not a conviction and not an automatic deportation.

If someone is arrested by local police, ICE may ask that the person be held for up to 48 additional hours (not counting weekends or holidays) while ICE decides whether to take immigration custody.

This does not mean immediate deportation. If ICE proceeds, the case goes to Immigration Court and the person may request defenses or immigration relief. In some situations, voluntary departure is also analyzed as an alternative.

What to do if ICE agents show up at your door based on your immigration status

Knowing what to do if ICE agents show up at your door also depends on your status. The basic rights apply to everyone, but strategy changes from case to case.

If you are undocumented

• Remain silent and ask for a lawyer.
• Do not sign documents without legal advice.

If you have DACA or TPS

• Keep current proof of your status accessible.
• If your benefit is active, ICE should not detain you—although mistakes can happen.
• Remain silent and ask to speak to a lawyer.

If you have DACA or TPS in the U.S., stay current with renewals and do not hand over documents without legal guidance.

If you are a lawful permanent resident (you have a Green Card)

• You should carry your Green Card.
• You are not required to answer questions that could incriminate you.
• Criminal history or long trips abroad can create problems.

In sensitive situations, review options such as a Green Card by marriage or other legal paths if your residency is at risk.

If you are a U.S. citizen

• You cannot be detained for immigration reasons.
• You can refuse to answer questions about immigration status.
• You may identify yourself if you choose, but you are not required to debate your citizenship on the spot.

How to prepare before an encounter with ICE

The best protection is preparing ahead of time—not improvising. So:

• Memorize the phone number of an immigration attorney or a trusted family member.
• Have a plan for the care of your children or dependents.
• Keep important documents in a safe place.
• Make sure your family knows not to open the door without a judge-signed warrant and what phrase to use to refuse consent.

You can also use this guide to prepare your family for an immigration raid and reduce mistakes during stressful moments.

When to contact a lawyer after an encounter with ICE

After any contact with ICE, time is not on your side. Speaking with a lawyer quickly can make the difference between having real defenses and losing options because of an avoidable mistake.

Seek legal advice if:

• ICE came to your home or workplace.
• You or a family member was detained, held, or transferred.
• You were given documents you do not understand or were asked to sign something.
• You have a criminal record or a prior removal order.

An attorney can evaluate whether ICE acted lawfully, assess defenses in Immigration Court, and protect your rights from the very start.

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If you are facing a delicate immigration situation, working with our immigration lawyers specializing in deportation can help you act strategically and avoid permanent consequences.