With the first FIFA World Cup match set to kick off on June 13—less than two weeks away—and visitors from around the globe preparing to travel to the United States, the New York Immigration Coalition is encouraging New Yorkers, international visitors, and immigrant communities alike to know their rights when interacting with ICE agents and law enforcement.

 

Please see HERE for resources from the New York Immigration Coalition to help residents and visitors alike better understand their legal rights.

Editor’s note: In the real world situation that is occurring right now, where outside of a privately owned and operated detention center close by in Newark, New Jersey, protests are happening in support of ongoing hunger strikes by detainees, many of whom are long-time residents of New Jersey.  They allege that the conditions are inhumane, the food is wormy and inedible, and they are not treated well or allowed access to their attorney.  Many of them were arrested following the legal immigration process, at their court hearing. At Dilley and other detention centers, children who are infants and toddlers have been taken and incarcerated with their parents.  According to MS Now, an 11 month old baby spent 118 days in detention.  Legally, children under a certain age are only allowed to be held for 20 days due to the traumatizing nature of imprisonment on their health and brain development. Many of these kids who have gone through this will experience lasting effects from their time there.  Many actual United States citizens have also been detained, albeit illegally, and often abused by agents who have no accountability in any meaningful or legal way.   Some immigrants following the law have been deported to a prison in El Salvador. Legislation signed several days ago by Governor Hochul acts to stop that from happening in this state, along with disallowing the wearing of masks by any law enforcement personnel, city, state, and federal.  This aims to increase accountability and transparency. 

🚨YOU HAVE RIGHTS, NO MATTER YOUR STATUS

• Right to remain silent

• Right to refuse a search

• Right to speak to a lawyer before signing anything

• Right to ask if you are free to go

• Right to record public interactions

• Right to refuse to answer: “Are you a U.S. citizen?”

• Right to declare your fear of returning to your country of origin

DOCUMENTS: WHAT TO CARRY AND WHAT TO AVOID CARRYING 🚨

Do carry:

• Copies of immigration documents (e.g., green card, work permit, visa) but do not volunteer them!

• U.S. issued driver’s license or US-issued ID that does not include your country of birth or immigration status, if available (e.g. NYC ID, student ID)

• Know Your Rights card

• Proof that you have been in the country for more than two years (having proof that you have been in the country for longer than two years may prevent your fast deportation without a court hearing.)

Do NOT carry:

• False documents or fake ID

• Any document that says you are a U.S. citizen if you are not

• Identity documents from your country of origin

💡 Keep the originals of your important documents (A#, passport) in a safe place. Don’t carry them on your person.

📱 Avoid giving law enforcement your phone. Make sure that your phone is password protected and doesn’t use face recognition or a fingerprint to unlock.

MAKE A PLAN!

For yourself

If you’re concerned about your immigration status, you can start by making a safety plan:

• Find an immigration lawyer that can help you with your case or any questions you may have (see next page).

• Save money for emergencies.

• Make a child safety plan (see below).

• Try to memorize or carry with you:

1. Family and friends’ phone numbers

2. Office for New Americans 1-800-566-7636*

3. Alien Registration Number (A#), if you have it

For your child

• Write down and carry the contact information of your child’s daycare or school.

• Decide on and choose someone you trust to care for your child in the event of an emergency. This person should be someone your child trusts. They can be an undocumented immigrant.

• The person that agrees to act as a caretaker will need your child’s:

  • School’s contact information

  • Medical information and if they have any special needs

  • Loved ones’ contact information

• Let other people close to your child know about your plan.

• Contact a family law attorney to discuss other options for the care of your child.

• Make copies of important documents and give  them to the person who will care for your child:

  • Passports and/or other ID documents

  • Birth certificates

  • Medical and school records

Below is a brief update from New Jersey Monitor, which follows upon our previous article which featured their coverage.

Scenes from outside Newark migrant jail Delaney Hall

by Anne-Marie Caruso, New Jersey Monitor
June 5, 2026

Protests continued this week outside Delaney Hall in Newark, an immigrant detention facility that has attracted demonstrations since some detainees said last month they were launching a hunger and labor strike to protest conditions inside. Here’s what we saw.

 

New Jersey Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. New Jersey Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Terrence T. McDonald for questions: info@newjerseymonitor.com.

Banner Image:  Asma Elhuni of Resistencia en Acción NJ, leads a chant after she is released from jail on June 1, 2026, after being arrested for protesting at Delaney Hall , the Newark detention center, the day prior. Image Credit – New Jersey Monitor