What to do if approached by ICE

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Assalamu Alykum,

With the recent US administration change, new Immigration Enforcement executive orders were signed and are being implemented. It is the intent of this email to act as a guidance document should you be approached by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. As you know, ISGH partners with CAIR (Council on Americal-Islamic Relations) for such guidance. Below is CAIR's recent release on what to do if approached.

Letter from CAIR Houston: What to do if your Masjid is approached by ICE

- What is ICE?

ICE is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration laws within the U.S. and engages in arrests, raids, detentions, deportations, and removal proceedings. ICE can work with other law enforcement agencies, including the police.

ICE’s actions are often intended to and frequently do, create fear and concern within targeted immigrant communities.

- Who is at risk of being targeted by ICE?

• Noncitizens without immigration status.

• Noncitizens who have violated the terms of their immigration status.

• Generally, ICE prioritizes people:

• With certain types of criminal convictions,

• With prior orders of deportation, or

• Who are believed to be a threat to national security threat to national security.

- What are my rights as an individual in ICE interactions?

• Remain silent: you do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.

• Speak to a lawyer: you should not sign anything without a lawyer.

• Request a phone call: contact your consulate if you are a foreign national.

- What should we do if ICE shows up at our masjid?

ICE does not have the right to enter a private space like a masjid or home without a warrant. ICE needs either a judicial warrant or consent to enter into private spaces like a masjid.

If ICE shows up to the masjid, you should not allow them entry and ask them to show a judicial warrant. You should also refuse to answer any questions.

ICE agents may try to argue that certain spaces of the masjid are open to the public and thus no warrant is required. Masjids should consider putting up clearly delineated signs that the entire masjid is private property.

If ICE agents show up, consider using these words: “I do not permit you to enter my masjid and I do not wish to speak to you. I do not permit you to be at my masjid. Please leave.”

Masjids should designate one or two authorized individuals to deal with any ICE officers who show up.

What should I be on the lookout for if ICE shows up at my masjid?

Be wary of ICE agents using tricks, lies, and/or intimidation to get consent to enter a masjid.

ICE rarely has a judicial warrant. Be aware that ICE may try to use internal US Department of Homeland Security documents titled “Warrant” as proof of a warrant. This is not a judicial warrant and does not grant them access. Judicial warrants should have a judge’s signature and be issued from a courthouse. Only a judicial warrant from a courthouse requires you to allow ICE agents to enter into the masjid.

- What should I do if ICE has a valid judicial warrant?

If ICE does have a signed judicial warrant to enter and inspect the premises, first, make sure to ask the agents to provide identification.

Second, ask to review the warrant. The warrant will list where officers are allowed to search and what can be seized.

Third, arrange for someone from the masjid to accompany the ICE inspector at all times while on the premises to ensure they are abiding by the parameters of the warrant. You have the right to document and record interactions with ICE agents.

- I’ve heard that President Trump said ICE can arrest people at places of worship and schools what does this mean?

On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration rescinded a prior policy that protected sensitive areas such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals from immigration enforcement.

The rescission of this policy is intended to make immigrant communities feel less safe in these spaces and allow for arrests and detentions in these spaces. However, even with the rescission, ICE agents can still only enter a masjid or other private sensitive spaces with a valid judicial warrant or with consent. You should not willingly give consent to ICE agents to enter and only allow them onto the premises with a valid judicial warrant.

If you have any questions or concerns, please report them to your local CAIR-CA office. Information on how to report to your local office can be found here: Report Hate & Discrimination - CAIR California.

https://ca.cair.com/report-hate-discrimination/

Islamic Society of Greater Houston | 3110 Eastside Street | Houston, TX 77098 US