Chicago Immigration Safety & Know Your Rights Guide
- Admin
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 25
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Please use these resources at your own discretion and consult a qualified immigration attorney for specific guidance.
If You See ICE Activity or Need Immediate Help
ICIRR Family Support Hotline
1-855-435-7693 (1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY)
Call if you or someone you know has been detained or you witness ICE activity.
Visit ICIRR.org/fsn for multilingual support, legal referrals, and up-to-date information on immigrant rights.
Illinois Plate Watch Hotline
312-814-1730
Call if you see law enforcement vehicles in Illinois with missing, mismatched, or obscured license plates — including those used by federal agents.
The Resurrection Project (TRP)
Call (312) 666-3062 for immigration legal services (Tues–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–2pm).
Submit a detention report at this link or access Know Your Rights materials.
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
Call (312) 660-1370 for low-cost legal consultations and representation for Chicago- and Goshen-area immigrants.
Email NIJC@immigrantjustice.org for more information.
Cook County Public Defender – Immigration Division
Call (312) 603-0636 on Wednesdays between 9–11am.
Provides representation for non-citizens detained by ICE with cases before the Chicago Immigration Court..
Visit ICIRR.org/fsn for hotline information and Know Your Rights materials.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) provides multilingual support, legal referrals, and up-to-date information on immigrant rights across Illinois.
How to Report ICE Activity Safely: Remember S.A.L.U.T.E.
If you witness ICE or federal agents in your community, it’s important to stay calm, gather accurate information, and report responsibly. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) created the S.A.L.U.T.E. method to help community members document incidents safely and effectively.
S – Size and Strength
Note how many ICE or federal agents and vehicles are present. If other law enforcement agencies or local police are involved, record the number of agents and identify which agencies they represent.
A – Activity and Action
Describe what is happening. Is ICE conducting a traffic stop, entering a home, or targeting specific individuals? Are they circling a school or local business? The more details you can provide, the better.
L – Location
Record where you saw ICE activity — include cross streets, landmarks, or addresses. Note if the vehicles or agents are stationary or moving in a particular direction.
U – Uniform
Pay attention to what agents are wearing. Are they in civilian clothing or uniforms? Do they have badges or vests? Are they concealing their identities with masks, hats, or sunglasses?
T – Time and Date
Always note the exact time and date when the incident occurred. This information is critical when sharing or reporting ICE sightings.
E – Equipment and Weapons
Identify whether agents are carrying visible weapons (guns, pepper spray, tear gas, etc.) and whether they use them against anyone.
Quick Links & Trusted Resources
Organization | What They Offer | Link |
The Resurrection Project (TRP) | Detention report form, Know Your Rights cards, legal referrals | |
ICIRR | Statewide hotline, rapid response teams, immigrant rights updates | |
ACLU of Illinois | “What to Do if Immigration Agents Are at Your Door” printable guide | |
Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) | Community defense hotline & deportation support | Call 855-435-7693 or Request a Call Back |
Midwest Immigration Bond Fund | Helps post bonds for detained immigrants | |
Palenque LSNA | Rapid response, legal services, youth and family programs | |
City of Chicago | CityKey ID Program – free municipal ID for all residents | |
Detained Immigration Court Representation Are you detained by ICE or seeking assistance for a loved one detained by ICE? | Cook County Public Defender’s Office 69 W. Washington, 16th Floor Chicago, IL 60602 ** ONLY Wednesday between 9am and 11am **
| The Immigration Division of the Cook County Public| Defender's Office represents noncitizens in ICE custody who: 1. have cases before the Chicago Immigration Court and 2. have ties to Cook County, Illinois. To seek our services, email us or call us on Wednesdays between 9am and 11am: 312-603-0636 pdimmigrationunit@cookcountyil.gov (Detained individuals can call collect or via the ICE pro bono platform and code #1050) |
Know Your Rights: What To Do During an ICE Encounter
If ICE Comes to Your Home
Stay calm and do not open the door.
Ask if they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge (not just an ICE document).
You have the right to remain silent and refuse consent to a search.
Keep Know Your Rights cards near your door.
Download printable flyers:
If You Are Stopped on the Street or in a Vehicle
You have the right to remain silent.
You do not need to show ID unless required by law.
Do not sign anything without legal advice.
Ask: “Am I free to go?” If yes, walk away calmly.
“I am a US Citizen.
I don’t consent to [a seach/being questioned/answering any questions without my lawyer present].
I am invoking the 5th amendment.
Am I free to go?”
You have the right to film activity in public spaces. Record from a safe distance, remain calm, and clearly explain what is happening. Do not interfere with officers or put yourself at risk.
Family Preparedness
Make a Safety Plan
Identify trusted emergency contacts.
Keep important documents safe and accessible.
Arrange temporary childcare in case of detention.
Write down the ICIRR hotline number and store it in your phone.
Download: Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Toolkit
Schools, Health Facilities, and Workplaces
If ICE Comes to a Workplace
Employers do not need to allow ICE into private areas without a warrant.
Workers can remain silent and are not required to sign any documents.
At Schools and Clinics
Schools and health facilities are “sensitive locations.” ICE should not enter without special authorization.
Learn more: Creating Sanctuary Schools – Chicago Teachers Union
Resources for Vulnerable Groups
Domestic Violence Survivors
Call or text 877-863-6338 for help.
LGBTQ+ Immigrants
Legal and safety information for LGBTQ+, transgender, and nonbinary individuals.
Disabled Immigrants
Citizenship, Legal Help, and Classes
ICIRR Citizenship Classes
Free and bilingual (English & Spanish)
Call (773) 609-4401 or email citizenship.instructor@nijfon.org
NIJC Legal Clinics
DACA renewals, asylum, and citizenship support
Call (312) 660-1370
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)
Tips for applying for asylum and legal information
Trainings and Events
ACLU Know Your Rights Trainings (Virtual)
Free virtual trainings on protest safety and immigrant rights
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights
Updated list of “Know Your Rights” events across Chicago
Report and Support
If you witness ICE activity:
Call the ICIRR Hotline: 855-435-7693
Avoid direct confrontation or recording close-up.
Share details with verified rapid response networks such as Northwest Side Rapid Response Team.
Reporting Suspicious or Altered Law Enforcement Vehicles
If you notice a vehicle without a license plate, one with mismatched or obscured plates, or you suspect law enforcement may be disguising vehicles to target immigrant communities — you have the right to report it.
Specific to Illinois License Plates
Illinois has launched a special reporting hotline to address these violations and promote accountability.
📞 Illinois Plate Watch Hotline: 312-814-1730
This hotline is operated by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and is specifically designed to collect reports of vehicles with missing, swapped, or altered license plates — including those used by federal agents operating in Illinois.
👉 You can also visit the Illinois Secretary of State website for more information.
Community Solidarity in Action
How You Can Help
You can make a difference by supporting New Life Centers’ Community Care Program — a Chicago initiative providing food, emergency supplies, and wrap-around assistance to families impacted by immigration enforcement.
Ways to help include:
Volunteer: Pack food boxes or assist with local distribution.
Donate: Contribute to the Community Care Emergency Fund or shop their Amazon Wish List to supply essentials.
Partner: Host a neighborhood hub to support families in need.
Share: Spread the word so others can connect, volunteer, or give.
Offer safe housing or temporary shelter.
Pay for rides instead of public transit if someone feels unsafe.
Remember: Diversity strengthens our community, and we stand together.
At the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual event, city and business leaders — including Mayor Brandon Johnson — shared the devastating impact recent events have had on Latino neighborhoods. Restaurant and grocery sales have dropped 50–70% in the past month, and once-busy streets are now quiet.
While we continue to stay informed, advocate, and protest, we also have a powerful way to help right now: support local Latino-owned businesses through our everyday choices. Eat at neighborhood restaurants, shop small, hire locally, and share their stories.
Every purchase, every visit, and every act of solidarity helps sustain the communities that make Chicago stronger. ❤️
A comprehensive, bilingual resource guide for Chicago-area immigrants and allies, collecting critical legal rights information, emergency contacts, and community support tools to navigate ICE encounters safely.
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