RIGHTS

HOTLINES!

Last called and verified by the GSU on May 3rd 2025.

This hotline is a Google Voice number monitored 7 days a week, and usually 24 hours a day. It may ring immediately, or leave a voicemail message and it will be sent to the phones of several MA attorneys. Someone should call you back in a few minutes.

This hotline is organized by the Mass Defense Committee of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), and covers all of Massachusetts.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The National Immigration Law Center has published the following information. For details, see their Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution webpage.

• Carry a Know Your Rights Card (such as the one below), and show it if an immigration or other officer stops you.

• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to immigration officers, even if they ask you questions.

• You have the right to record a video of an encounter with agents, or ask a witness to record the encounter. You do not need to announce that you are recording.

• If an agent asks to search you or your vehicle without probable cause, you have the right to say "No."

• You have the right to speak to an attorney. Before you sign anything, talk to an attorney (see the Attorneys section).

• ICE agents and other law enforcement officers may think they can get away with violating your rights. They may lie, or try to trick you into talking or opening your door. ICE agents may be wearing police uniforms or plain clothes.

DOCUMENTS

Here is some information about which documents F-1 visa students with an active SEVIS status can carry and show to whom and when. You can:

1. Carry your original REAL ID Massachusetts driver's license or non-driver's license.

   • • Your REAL ID can be your main form of identification.

     • If an agent asks to see your ID, you can show them your REAL ID.

2. Carry a paper printout of your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record form.

   • • According to the Requirements to Carry Immigration Registration Document webpage from the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), the I-94 is valid "evidence of registration" that you are required to carry in accordance with United States Code Title 8 § 1302 Registration of Aliens.

     • Because you are a non-US citizen, if an agent asks to see your "immigration papers" you are required by law to comply, and the I-94 form is a valid immigration document.

3. Carry a paper printout of your Know Your Rights Card (see the Know Your Rights Card section).

4. Carry a paper printout of the phone numbers of your emergency contacts, including your attorney, at all times (also memorize them).

5. For your personal records only (do not unlock your phone for an agent or show them anything on your phone!), you can carry an electronic copy of your:

• REAL ID

• I-94 form

• Know Your Rights Card

Do not show the following documents to anyone unless your attorney tells you???

• Passport

• F-1 visa

• I-20 certificate

• Birth certificate

• Lease agreement

• UMass Dartmouth unofficial transcript (log into https://my.umassd.edu --> Quicklaunch --> COIN For Students --> Academics --> Transcript --> View My Unofficial Transcript)

• Proof of employment, such as UMass Dartmouth pay stubs (log into https://my.umassd.edu --> Quicklaunch --> HRDirect --> Payroll)

Unclear:

6. Carry a paper COPY of your passport, F-1 visa, and I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status???

   • • Don't carry the originals.

     • ICE and DHS can use these foreign-issued IDs and travel documents against you in the deportation process.

     • Don't show any of these to an agent, even if they ask???

     • Not legally required to show these to an agent???

     • Only helpful if detained???

     • Don't show these to anyone unless your attorney tells you???

     • If an agent asks to see these documents, you can state that you are exercising your US constitutional Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, and your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent???

SAFETY PLAN

Before trouble arises, consider preparing in advance as follows:

1. Establish a relationship with an immigration attorney (see the Attorneys section for details).

   • • Share all information you have with your lawyer.

     • Ask them to sign a G-28 "Notice of Entry of Appearance" form.

     • Ask them if you would qualify for release on bond or own recognizance if you are detained.

2. Make high-quality electronic and color paper copies of your important documents (REAL ID, I-94 form, passport, visa, I-20 certificate, birth certificate, lease agreement, UMassD unofficial transcript, pay stubs, etc.) and keep them handy (at home, on campus, on your phone, etc.). Put the originals in a safe place.

3. Carry the appropriate original, paper copies, and electronic copies of your documentation with you (see the Documents section).

4. Practice reading your Know Your Rights Card out loud, so you're ready for a stressful situation (see the Know Your Rights Card section).

   • • Immigration agents may lie to you, so practice being steadfast under pressure.

5. Learn how to check if a judicial warrant is valid, in case an agent claims to have one.

   • • See pages 6 and 21 of the National Immigration Law Center's Warrants & Subpoenas factsheet.

6. Practice the scenarios in the Encounter Tips section, especially the key phrases you can say and when to say them.

7. Lock your phone with a passcode so that agents can't unlock your phone. Disable Face ID for unlocking your phone.

8. Identify your emergency contacts, including your lawyer, and memorize their phone numbers.

9. Give to your attorney, emergency contacts, and/or loved ones:

   • • The names and phone numbers of your attorney, emergency contacts, and loved ones

     • Electronic copies of your legal documents (REAL ID, I-94 form, passport, visa, I-20 form, birth certificate, lease agreement, etc.)

     • The safe location of your original legal documents

     • Electronic copies of your lawful activity in the US such as your UMassD unofficial transcript, pay stubs, etc. (see the Documents section)

     • A list of your health conditions and medicines

     • A copy of your Emergency Contact Form

     • The passcode to your phone

     • ICE’s online detainee locator tool, in case you are detained: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search

     • If you have one, your A-Number (Alien Registration Number; most F-1 students do not have one as non-immigrants)

     • The National Immigration Project's checklist about being ready in case you are detained

     • If you have a child: A Caregiver Authorization Affidavit giving written authorization for your emergency contact to make medical and educational decisions for your child, information about your child's school or daycare, a copy of the written authorization given to your child's school or day care for your emergency contact to pick up your child, and instructions about your child's medical conditions

10. If you have a child: Provide their school or daycare with an emergency contact to pick up your child, and a copy of your Caregiver Authorization Affidavit

11. Consider adding a trusted person to your bank account or giving them your login info, so they can manage your funds for any legal needs if you are detained.

12. Consider adding a trusted person to your valuable personal property (such as a co-owner of your vehicle), so they can manage it or sell it to raise money for your legal needs if you are detained.

ATTORNEYS

You can proactively establish a relationship with a Massachusetts attorney in case of future trouble. The Informed Immigrant organization publishes a comprehensive How to Find an Immigration Lawyer guide to help with this process.

When getting an attorney:

1. Search for immigration lawyers physically located in MA

2. Verify their reputation (beware of scams!)

   1. • The Department of Justice keeps a list of disciplined attorneys who CANNOT practice

3. Call them to set up an initial appointment

4. Meet with them (watch for scams!)

5. Sign a contract with them that includes written fee amounts for services

6. Ask them to sign a G-28 "Notice of Entry of Appearance" form as your legal representative. This form requires ICE to contact your attorney when you are detained (otherwise, they may not contact anyone on your behalf and you could "disappear").

(in no particular order, and not yet verified by GSU)

The Massachusetts American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides immigration legal resources and counsel.

The Bristol County Bar Association offers a referral service. Contact them via phone or the contact form on their website.

The Massachusetts Bar Association has a Lawyer Referral Service to connect you with a MA immigration attorney (but no pro bono attorneys). Call them to ask about their Reduced Fee referrals.

The Boston Bar Association has a Lawyer Referral Service to connect you with a MA immigration attorney (but no pro bono attorneys). Call them to ask about their Reduced Rate attorneys.

The Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program maintains a Find a Lawyer list of local immigration legal resources.

The Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net maintain a National Immigration Legal Services Directory of nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services. There are 23 organizations listed for Bristol County.

(Duplicate of above?) The Immigration Law Help website lists nonprofit organizations in Bristol County that provide low-cost help. There are 23 organizations listed for Bristol County.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review maintains a List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers that provide free immigration legal services. 

The immi online screening tool provides a list of legal services near you. There are 16 organizations listed for zip code 02747.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association maintains an online directory of immigration lawyers, including legal services for students and exchange visitors.

ENCOUNTERS

If you are an F-1 visa student with an active SEVIS status and you encounter an immigration officer or other agent, here are some key things you can do:

• Remain as calm as possible.

• You can record a video of the encounter, or ask a witness to record the encounter.

• Read your Know Your Rights Card to the agents.

• If the agent asks to see your ID, you can show your original REAL ID (see the Documents section).

• If the agent asks to see your "immigration papers," you can show the printout of your I-94 form (see the Documents section).

• You can say “I need to speak to my attorney immediately.”

• Ask and record the agents' information:

  • • Full names

    • Badge numbers

    • Patrol car numbers

    • Their government agency

• You can ask: “Am I free to leave?” If they say yes, you can walk away calmly.

• If an agent asks to search you or your vehicle, you have the right to say "No."

  • • If they search you anyway, do not resist.

    • You can say "I do not consent to this search. Please leave. I am exercising my US constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, and my right to remain silent. I demand to speak with my attorney immediately."

    • You can ask loudly and repeatedly, "What is the basis of your probable cause?"

• If you have a fear of returning to your country of origin, state that fear loudly and clearly at every opportunity.

• If you are a parent and worried that you will be arrested, you can tell the agent that you have children.

• If you are in your home, you can say “You cannot not come into my home without a judicial warrant.” 

  • • Keep your door closed!

    • If they claim that they have a judicial warrant, ask them to slide it under the door so you can verify it. If the warrant is not valid, you can tell them to leave.

    • If agents force their way into your home, do not resist or run away.

    • You can say, “I do not consent to you entering or searching my home. I am exercising my US constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, and my right to remain silent. I demand to speak with my attorney immediately.”

• Don't talk to any agents (other than the above). Don’t answer any questions, even if the agents are baiting you into talking by lying to you.

  • • You can say, “I am exercising my US constitutional right to remain silent. I demand to speak with my attorney immediately.”

• Don't show any documents to agents except for your REAL ID and I-94 form???

• Don't unlock your phone for any reason.

• Don't lie or give false documents.

• Don’t say anything about where you were born, or how you entered the US.

• Don’t run, argue, resist, or obstruct the agent, even if you believe your rights are being violated.

• Don't sign anything unless your attorney tells you.

• Don't open your door.

  • • The agents may lie to you to get you to talk or open your door!

SEVIS TERMINATION

If an F-1 visa student's SEVIS status is terminated, Boundless has a published a What You Need to Know and Do Immediately guide.

As of May 2nd 2025, the following UMass campuses have been affected:

• UMass Dartmouth: 7 visas revoked

• UMass Amherst: 13 visas revoked

• UMass Boston: 11 visas revoked

• UMass Lowell: 1 visa revoked

Inside Higher Ed maintains an updated list of schools and their number of revoked visas here. According to a Washington Post article published on April 25th 2025, the Department of Homeland Security said it had paused deactivating student files and would restore the SEVIS records for now. The American Immigration Lawyers Association estimates  that at least 4,700 international students have had their SEVIS records terminated since January 20th.

If your SEVIS status has been terminated, you can consider not driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, or flying on an airplane. Note that legally, you must show your immigration papers to an agent who asks for them only if you are carrying them (see the ACLU's Immigrant's Rights webpage, "Law enforcement asks about my immigration status" section). If an agent asks to see your "evidence of registration" or "immigration papers" and you aren't carrying them, you can simply state that you are exercising your US constitutional Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, and your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Then you can remain silent.

Per the ACLU Massachusetts'  "When Do I Have to Give my Name or Address" webpage, you are not legally required to provide your name or address unless you are driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle. Also:

• If you are a pedestrian, you can legally decline to show your ID.

• If you are a passenger and you are wearing your seatbelt, you can legally decline to show your ID (because they are not issuing a citation).

• If you are bicycling, you MUST show your REAL ID.

• If you are driving a vehicle, you MUST show your driver's license.

Per the National Immigration Law Center's Trump Immigration Registration Requirement webpage, you are not required to show your "evidence of registration" (such as your I-94 form) to law enforcement.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

If you are a domestic student of privilege, this is your time to help your international student colleagues! Here's what you can do:

1. Protest! Events are happening all the time around the country; upcoming events are usually listed on 50501's website.

2. Learn about F-1 student visa revocations and SEVIS terminations, so you know what your international student peers are facing. A good plain-language summary can be found here.

3. If you see any suspicious activity, call the LUCE Defense Hotline: 617-370-5023 (see above for more info about the hotline).

   • • Write down the time, date, and exact location. Note the time when the agents arrive and leave. Count the number of agents.

     • You have the right to record them.

4. If you see someone interacting with agents, record the encounter.

   • • You have the right to record as long as you don't interrupt the arrest.

     • Record the time, date, and exact location. Note the time when the agents arrive and leave. Count the number of agents.

     • Ask for the agents' names, badge numbers, patrol car numbers, and what government agency they are from.

5. Serve as a trusted emergency contact for your international student friends.

   • • Research your responsibilities thoroughly!

     • Help your friend to fill out this Emergency Contact Form, and keep it handy.

     • Use the National Immigration Project's checklist about being ready in case your friend is detained.

6. Volunteer with the LUCE Defense Hotline (contact them here).

MORE RESOURCES

• You can call the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition Helpline to speak with someone about commonly asked immigration questions and topics.

• The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) provides a clear and actionable Know Your Rights resource on what to carry and what to do if you are stopped, arrested, or detained.

• Clark University Graduate Workers United (CUGWU) has published a very comprehensive repository of Immigration Response Documents. The "1 - Overview of Resources" document provides a summary of the repository contents.

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