National Immigration Law Center
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National Immigration Law Center
@nilc.org
15K followers 540 following 620 posts
Advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants & their loved ones.
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📣ICE OUT of our communities.
January 9, 2026 at 12:33 AM
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It’s as simple as that. ❤️
January 6, 2026 at 5:52 PM
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Our fight continues.
Next up: 2026.✊🏽
2025 our resistance, in numbers Our community took more than 80,000 actions. We submitted a public comment opposing the Trump administration’s immigrant registration rule, backed by 7,051 supporter signatures. We urged elected officials to conduct oversight of ICE and take immediate steps to curb its abuse. er 15,000 people signed our petition demanding that ICE release Jackie Merlos from wrongful detention. In October, she returned home to her children. We fought in court to defend immigrants’ rights.We successfully stopped the Trump administration from expelling hundreds of unaccompanied children to Guatemala.We filed a critical lawsuit to stop an Idaho law that would’ve prevented immigrants from accessing life-saving health care.We blocked the illegal deployment of the National Guard to Memphis. We empowered our communities with Know Your Rights tools.Our Know Your Rights guides and videos were viewed over 11 million times, providing people with information when they needed it most.We provided close to 30 trainings on worksite raids, enforcement trends, and immigrant workers’ rights, reaching over 2,000 advocates nationwide.We launched Know Your Rights ads on bus shelters in Aurora, Colorado, reaching hundreds of thousands of people per week.
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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We keep each other safe. 🩵
December 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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Holding our communities close this holiday season ❤️
December 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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You have more in common with your immigrant neighbor than any billionaire.

Hear more from country music singer Bryan Andrews and our host Hector Flores in the latest episode of our Freedom to Thrive Podcast, "Three Chords and the Truth." www.freedomtothrive.com/episodes/
December 22, 2025 at 7:44 PM
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Decades of political and legal uncertainty have left DACA recipients & immigrant youth in limbo for too long. This is the time to act — Congress can & must pass a pathway to citizenship.

Tell your representatives to cosponsor and pass the DREAM Act now. ✊

📣Take action: https://bit.ly/48W2rxv
December 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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🎙️Tune in to our latest Freedom to Thrive Podcast episode, “Courage is Contagious,” where host Hector Flores sits down with world-renowned artist and activist Dread Scott.

In a moment defined by fear, Dread reminds us that courage is what keeps movements alive.✊🏽

www.freedomtothrive.com/episodes/
December 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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Call on your state legislators to fight back against secret police tactics.

Take action👇
act.nilc.org/page/91483/a...
No more secret police. States must use their authority to fight back. Take action at the link in bio
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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Agents operating anonymously may feel emboldened to use force or escalate encounters, knowing there’s little to no accountability.
Concealing identities encourages violence and abuse.Agents operating anonymously may feel emboldened to use force or escalate encounters, knowing there’s little to no accountability. We’ve seen it happen – agents smashing car windows, shoving people to the ground, and pinning them down. Lack of visible identification also makes it difficult for witnesses to report misconduct, leaving abuse unchecked and communities at greater risk.
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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This secrecy opens the door to due process violations and unlawful arrests.
It opens the door to due process violations and unlawful arrests. The Fourth Amendment protects anyone in the U.S. from being arrested without a judicial warrant or probable cause. ICE can’t enter a home without a judicial warrant or voluntary permission. ICE agents who conceal their identities can deceive residents into giving “voluntary” consent, effectively causing them to unknowingly waive their rights. This puts immigrants at risk of unlawful arrests and violations of their rights.
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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Impostors are posing as federal agents to commit crimes.
Imposters pose as agents to commit crimes. Federal agents who conceal their identities make it easier for impostors to impersonate them. CNN reports that there have been at least two dozen cases of people posing as ICE agents in 2025. The FBI recently issued a bulletin, urging federal enforcement officials to identify themselves to civilians, emphasizing the broader negative impacts on public trust of law enforcement.
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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Immigration agents are using multiple tactics to hide their identities:
How immigration agents conceal their identities: Wearing face coverings, such as ski masks or balaclavas. Driving unmarked vehicles with no indication they belong to law enforcement. Dressing in plainclothes, military fatigues, or vests labeled “POLICE” instead of “ICE”Refusing to show a warrant, provide identification, or display a badge
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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When immigration agents hide their identities, it makes people feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods.
Obscuring identities spreads fear and chaos. Uniforms and identification exist so we can distinguish law enforcement from civilians. When agents hide their identities, throw people into unmarked vans, and refuse to show their badges, that’s not law enforcement, it’s abduction. Fear is the intent. These secretive tactics make people afraid to seek help, go to the doctor, show up to work, or pick up their kids from school.
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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Across America, a secret police force is operating in plain sight. ICE and other federal agents are throwing people into unmarked vans, lurking outside of schools & attacking people in Home Depot parking lots.

Learn how this secrecy is sowing fear and distrust & how we can hold them accountable ➡️
Masked Agents & Unmarked Vans: The Dangers of Secret Police. Across America, a secret police force is operating in plain sight. ICE and other federal agents are throwing people into unmarked vans, lurking outside of schools, and attacking people in Home Depot parking lots. They have even attacked witnesses, using force and threats to stop people from documenting their actions. How this secrecy spreads fear, enables abuse, and undermines our collective safety
December 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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🎙️Listen to our latest Freedom to Thrive Podcast episode, “We Have the Power,” where host Hector Flores talks with legendary civil rights and labor activist Dolores Huerta.

www.freedomtothrive.com/episodes/
December 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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What if ICE Is not following their own policy?
¿Qué ocurre si ICE no sigue su propia política?
If your ICE officer is ignoring your requests, or if the custody & removal coordinators aren’t helping you, you can try calling ICE’s Detention, Removals, and Information Line (DRIL) to make a complaint.This hotline is free for people in ICE detention. Look for a flyer in your housing unit with the DRIL line number (it may be 9116# or 1-888-351-4024).¿Qué ocurre si ICE no sigue su propia política?Si su agente de ICE ignora sus solicitudes, o si los coordinadores de custodia y remoción no los ayudan, puede intentar llamar a la Línea de Detención, Traslados e Información (DRIL, por su sigla en inglés) de ICE para presentar una queja.Busque un folleto en su unidad de vivienda con el número de línea DRIL (puede ser 9116# o 1-888-351-4024).These are general guidelines, not legal advice. For legal help, consult a lawyer. Estas son directrices generales, no asesoramiento jurídico. Para obtener ayuda legal, consulte a un abogado.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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Usted puede decidir si su hijo permanecerá en los Estados Unidos y hacer arreglos de cuidado alternativos, si usted será deportado.
Usted puede decidir si su hijo permanecerá en los Estados Unidos y hacer arreglos de cuidado alternativos, si usted será deportado.Si ICE va a deportarlo, usted tiene derecho a tomar decisiones sobre qué sucederá con su hijo. Usted puede decidir que su hijo permanezca en los EE.UU., ya sea ciudadano estadounidense o hijo inmigrante, incluso si no tiene estatus legal. También puede decidir que su hijo salga de los EE.UU. y venga con usted. Se supone que los agentes le permiten hablar con abogados, consulados y familiares para ayudarle a hacer planes y firmar documentos importantes antes de salir del país.Estas son directrices generales, no asesoramiento jurídico. Para obtener ayuda legal, consulte a un abogado.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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You can decide whether your child will remain in the U.S.
and make alternative care arrangements, if you will be deported.
You can decide whether your child will remain in the U.S. and make alternative care arrangements, if you will be deported.f ICE is going to deport you, you have the right to make decisions about what happens to your child. You can decide to have your child remain in the United States, whether they are a U.S. citizen or an immigrant child, even if they do not have legal status. You can also decide that your child will leave the United States and come with you.Officers are supposed to allow you to talk with lawyers, consulates, and family members to help you make plans and sign important documents before you leave the country.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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You can be part of your child’s welfare court case while you are in ICE detention.
You can decide whether your child will remain in the U.S. and make alternative care arrangements, if you will be deported.f ICE is going to deport you, you have the right to make decisions about what happens to your child. You can decide to have your child remain in the United States, whether they are a U.S. citizen or an immigrant child, even if they do not have legal status. You can also decide that your child will leave the United States and come with you.Officers are supposed to allow you to talk with lawyers, consulates, and family members to help you make plans and sign important documents before you leave the country.These are general guidelines, not legal advice. For legal help, consult a lawyer.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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Puede solicitar ayuda a los trabajadores designados en la mayoría de los centros de detención para que le ayuden a hacer planes para sus hijos.
Puede solicitar ayuda a los trabajadores designados en la mayoría de los centros de detención para que le ayuden a hacer planes para sus hijos.Algunos centros de detención tienen personas llamadas “coordinadores de custodia y remoción”. No son lo mismo que su agente de ICE. En algunos centros de detención pueden llamarlos “trabajadores sociales.”Su trabajo consiste en ayudarle a hacer planes para que otra persona cuide de su hijo mientras usted se encuentra detenido por ICE. También pueden ayudarle a hablar con un trabajador social del sistema de bienestar infantil si tiene un hijo en el sistema judicial y necesita ayuda para elaborar los requisitos del plan de caso para recuperar a su hijo.Estas son directrices generales, no asesoramiento jurídico. Para obtener ayuda legal, consulte a un abogado.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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You can ask for help from designated workers in most detention centers to help you make plans for your children
You can ask for help from designated workers in most detention centers to help you make plans for your children.Some jails have people called “custody and removal coordinators.” They are not the same as your ICE officer. Some jails may call them “social workers.”
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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You have the right to be kept near your child and stay in touch while detained.

Usted tiene derecho a permanecer cerca de su hijo y mantenerse en contacto mientras esté detenido.
You have the right to be kept near your child and stay in touch while detained.While you are in ICE detention, ICE’s policy says they should not transfer or move you away from your child.You have the right to regular visits with your child while in detention.Usted tiene derecho a permanecer cerca de su hijo y mantenerse en contacto mientras esté detenido.Mientras usted se encuentre detenido por el ICE, la política del ICE establece que no deben trasladarlo ni alejarlo de su hijo.i desea ver a su hijo mientras está detenido, tiene derecho a visitas regulares con él.These are general guidelines, not legal advice. For legal help, consult a lawyer. Estas son directrices generales, no asesoramiento jurídico. Para obtener ayuda legal, consulte a un abogado.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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You have the right to make decisions about the care and custody of your child.

Usted tiene derecho a tomar decisiones sobre el cuidado y la custodia de su hijo.
You have the right to make decisions about the care and custody of your child.If ICE arrests you, ICE’s policy says the arresting officer should allow you to make arrangements for your child’s care. You can demand to call family or someone else you trust to come get your child and make plans for their care.Usted tiene derecho a tomar decisiones sobre el cuidado y la custodia de su hijo.Si ICE lo arresta, la política de ICE establece que el oficial que lo arresta debe permitirle hacer los arreglos necesarios para el cuidado de su hijo. Puede exigir que llamen a un familiar o a otra persona de confianza para que venga a recoger a tu hijo y hacer planes para su cuidado. These are general guidelines, not legal advice. For legal help, consult a lawyer. Estas son directrices generales, no asesoramiento jurídico. Para obtener ayuda legal, consulte a un abogado.
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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5 things parents and legal guardians should know about their rights in detention ⏩

5 cosas que los padres y tutores legales deben saber sobre sus derechos en detención ⏩
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: 5 THINGS PARENTS DETAINED BY ICE SHOULD KNOW. CONOZCA SUS DERECHOS5 cosas que los padres detenidos por ICE deben saber
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM