Sacramento region has seen increased ICE raids: What rights do people have?
The spike in ICE raids across the Sacramento region in the past two months raise questions about people’s rights when interacting with immigration enforcement and what witnesses should do in the event of a raid.
Border Patrol, initially thought to be ICE agents, took several people into federal custody Thursday morning in south Sacramento. The raid was reported around 8 a.m. in the parking lot of a Home Depot store just west of Highway 99. At least one of the individuals taken is reported to be a citizen of the United States.
Here’s what to know in light of this high-profile enforcement raid.
Do I have to answer questions from ICE?
According to the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, every person in the United States has the right to remain silent regardless of immigration status, according to Amagda Pérez, attorney and co-director of the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic.
“If you’re not sure why you’re being asked certain questions, you (should) exercise your right to remain silent until you have counsel available to advise you,” Pérez said.
The American Civil Liberties Union recommends staying calm. To alleviate some pressure, it is helpful to order or print red cards containing statements you can read from and keep them easily accessible, such as in a pocket or a clear phone case.
People at risk of deportation should not run away, as ICE can use running as a reason to arrest, according to the ACLU.
Do not lie.
Am I required to allow ICE into my home or business?
Regardless of immigration status, you do not have to allow immigration officers to enter your home or business if they do not have a valid judicial warrant, say immigration attorneys at Mendoza Immigration.
A valid judicial warrant must include the name of the person being searched for, the address that is allowed to be searched and a signature from a judge or a magistrate.
ICE may come to a door or business and present an administrative warrant. This warrant grants immigration officials the right to arrest someone the agency suspects is a non-citizen who does not have a lawful right to be in the country, Pérez said.
What are my rights if detained by ICE?
If an arrest happens, you should not resist, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
When detained, you can request a lawyer but remain silent otherwise.
Be careful of any forms that ICE might ask you to sign. According to the ACLU, ICE may ask you to sign forms agreeing to being deported without first seeing a judge.
What should I do if I witness a raid?
Bystanders witnessing an ICE raid should document what they are seeing and pay attention to the conduct of the ICE agents, according to Immigrant Justice, a nonprofit focused on defending the rights of immigrants. The details of a raid can be useful for the non-citzen’s legal case.
Documenting a raid includes writing and video recording. It is important to remember that there are no states in which it is illegal to record law enforcement while they are engaged in their public duties.
For local rapid response, you can call the Sacramento Rapid Response Network at 916-382-0256. The network asks that individuals only call to report ICE activity in the area or seek help for someone detained in the past 24 hours.
If you believe someone you know has been detained, you can access ICE’s online detainee locator or call the Northern California field office at 415-844-5512.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM.