Link (Archive)
But here’s the truth: Black people are immigrants, too—and some of us are also Latino. Afro-Dominicans, Afro-Colombians, Garifuna from Central America, Haitians, and others comprise a significant, often overlooked portion of the immigrant population.
Yet when immigration raids happen, our names and faces are rarely centered in the conversation, even though Black immigrants are disproportionately targeted for detention and deportation. Despite being just 7% of the immigrant population, they represent over 20% of those facing deportation on criminal grounds. The system doesn’t just punish immigrants—it punishes Blackness within immigration.
Whether you're undocumented, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a green card, or are a U.S. citizen with family members at risk, it’s crucial to understand your rights and stay prepared.
And if you’re unfamiliar: TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is a legal designation for people whose home countries are experiencing war, environmental disasters, or other crises. It allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. temporarily, but it’s not a pathway to citizenship and can be revoked at any time.
Here’s what to do if you—or someone near you—is stopped by ICE:
Don’t lie. Don’t show fake documents. Just stay silent.
Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or hold it up to a window. No judge’s signature? No entry.
Black immigrants, especially Afro-Latinos, face a double burden: racism and xenophobia. That means we have to be twice as loud, twice as vigilant, and twice as prepared.
This is not about borders—it’s about Black and Latino lives. And if we’re serious about protecting our communities, we have to show up for everyone. Whether you were born in Brooklyn, Cuba or Barbados, freedom should not depend on paperwork.
What to Do If You’re Stopped by ICE: A Guide for Black Immigrants and Allies
This past weekend, videos circulated of ICE agents detaining people on the streets of Los Angeles. As the footage spread, so did the dangerous idea that this is only a “Latino issue.”But here’s the truth: Black people are immigrants, too—and some of us are also Latino. Afro-Dominicans, Afro-Colombians, Garifuna from Central America, Haitians, and others comprise a significant, often overlooked portion of the immigrant population.
Yet when immigration raids happen, our names and faces are rarely centered in the conversation, even though Black immigrants are disproportionately targeted for detention and deportation. Despite being just 7% of the immigrant population, they represent over 20% of those facing deportation on criminal grounds. The system doesn’t just punish immigrants—it punishes Blackness within immigration.
Whether you're undocumented, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a green card, or are a U.S. citizen with family members at risk, it’s crucial to understand your rights and stay prepared.
And if you’re unfamiliar: TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is a legal designation for people whose home countries are experiencing war, environmental disasters, or other crises. It allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. temporarily, but it’s not a pathway to citizenship and can be revoked at any time.
Here’s what to do if you—or someone near you—is stopped by ICE:
1. You Have the Right to Remain Silent
ICE agents rely on fear and confusion. But you are not obligated to answer any questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country. You can say, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”Don’t lie. Don’t show fake documents. Just stay silent.
2. Do Not Open the Door Without a Signed Warrant
If ICE comes to your home, do not open the door unless they show you a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Most of the time, ICE only carries administrative warrants (Forms I-200 or I-205), which are not valid for entering your home.Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or hold it up to a window. No judge’s signature? No entry.
3. Ask for a Lawyer Before You Say or Sign Anything
If detained, clearly state: “I want to speak to a lawyer.” Do not sign anything—especially documents agreeing to “voluntary departure”—without legal advice. You have the right to an attorney, even if you can't afford one.4. Know Your Rights as a Bystander
If you see someone being stopped by ICE:- Film it safely from a distance—you have the legal right to record in public spaces.
- Say the date, time, and location out loud while filming.
- Do not physically interfere—instead, alert local immigrant rights groups or legal hotlines.
5. Get Connected with Local Immigration Advocates
Don’t wait for a crisis. Every city has immigration advocacy networks that offer emergency hotlines, legal support, and workshops to help you prepare. A few to know include:- Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
- United We Dream
- National Immigration Law Center
- ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project
6. Stop Treating Immigration as Someone Else’s Fight
When people say, “that’s not my issue,” they’re missing the point—and putting others at risk. Some of us have accents, some of us don’t. Some of us speak Spanish, French, Patois, Igbo, or Kreyòl. But ICE doesn’t care.Black immigrants, especially Afro-Latinos, face a double burden: racism and xenophobia. That means we have to be twice as loud, twice as vigilant, and twice as prepared.
This is not about borders—it’s about Black and Latino lives. And if we’re serious about protecting our communities, we have to show up for everyone. Whether you were born in Brooklyn, Cuba or Barbados, freedom should not depend on paperwork.
