Know Your Rights...

Working in the Arab American community, I often hear about incidents of profiling when encountering law enforcement, including profiling while traveling at airports and international borders. Profiling, which affects all communities, is unacceptable and often leaves people feeling helpless and powerless. Many people are unsure of what is normal and legal when encountering law enforcement, only adding confusion and dismay.

Being aware of your rights, and knowing where to get help if those rights are violated, are key to standing up against profiling. With the information below, you’ll learn your rights and find out where you can go to report an incident if those rights have been violated.

If Stopped by a Law Enforcement Officer

Everyone has the constitutional right to remain silent. As a citizen, you cannot be punished for not answering questions beyond giving your name. If you are a non-citizen, federal authorities have the right to ask for documentation regarding your immigration status. Never falsify information about your status.

You do not have to make any statements without a lawyer present.

If you are a non-citizen, you should carry your green card or other valid immigration status documents at all times.

Local & state law enforcement officials generally cannot inquire about immigration status. If they do, immediately call us at 313-578-6832 or tell your story at www.aclumich.org/get-help/submit-complaint.

While Traveling at the Border or Airports

It is illegal for law enforcement officers to perform any stops, searches, detentions or removals based solely on your race, national origin, religion, sex, or ethnicity. Officials can stop you based on citizenships or travel itinerary at the border or airport and search all bags. A strip search at the border or airport is not a routine search and must be supported by “reasonable suspicion”, and must be done in a private area.

Law enforcement officers at the airport or border do have the power to question everyone about their immigration or citizenship status.

You have the right to wear religious head coverings. If you are asked to take it off because a metal detector has gone off, you have the right to request that any pat-down or removal occur in a private area or you can ask to pat-down your own religious head covering.

Generally, law enforcement officers at the border or at the airport can search your laptop files and make copies of information contained in the files. If such as search occurs, you should contact our complaint hotline at 313-578-6832 or tell your story at www.aclumich.org/get-help/submit-complaint.

Law Enforcement at Your Home

Before letting law enforcement officers into your home, ask if they have a search warrant signed by a judge. If they do not have one, citizens and non-citizens do have to let them in. Non-homeowners and guest also have the right to refuse entry to law enforcement officers without a warrant. Law enforcement officers cannot get a warrant based on your refusal, nor can they punish you for refusing to admit them.

In All Encounters

Stay Calm: Think carefully about your words, movements, body language, and emotions

Don’t Get Into An Argument: Anything you say or do can be used against you

Keep Your Hands Where Officers Can See Them

Don’t Run. Don’t Touch Officers. Don’t Resist.

Don’t Lie About Your Immigration Status

If You Feel Your Rights Have Been Violated

Object to the treatment and ask to speak to a supervisor.

Call our Complaint Line at 313-578-6832 or tell your story at www.aclumich.org/get-help/submit-complaint.

Be sure to provide a detailed account of your encounter, including the name or badge number of the law enforcement agent.

Know Your Rights Information and The Complaint Hotline is a project of the ACLU Michigan, ACCESS, ADC Michigan, CAIR Michigan, Detroit Branch NAACP, AAI, Muslim Advocates, & the Asian Law Caucus