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Your Right to Remain Silent
You have the right to remain silent when approached by immigration officers (ICE or CBP) — except in certain limited situations.
You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the U.S., or your immigration status.
You do not have to sign any documents without first speaking with a lawyer.
What You Should Do
Stay calm and polite. Do not run, resist, or argue — that can escalate things quickly.
Ask if you are free to go.
If the officer says yes, you can walk away.
If the officer says no, you have the right to remain silent until you can speak to a lawyer.
Show identification only if required by law.
U.S. citizens and certain visa holders may be required to show valid ID in specific circumstances (like at a port of entry).
Do not lie or provide false documents. Lying can cause far more legal harm than remaining silent.
Why Silence Matters
Anything you say can be used against you in immigration proceedings. Even seemingly harmless statements — like talking about how long you’ve been in the country or where you work — can be used to build a case against you later.