Recent videos from St. Paul, Minnesota, and Tucson, Arizona, have shown ICE agents arresting individuals at gas stations and during traffic stops, sometimes breaking car windows to remove the person from the vehicle. These videos have spread quickly and caused understandable fear in immigrant communities.
This blog is written to explain what to do if ICE approaches you while driving, what not to say, who to contact immediately, and where you may be taken if detained. The goal is to help immigrants stay safe and protect their rights.
What to Do if ICE Approaches Your Vehicle
- Stay Calm and Compliant Without Volunteering Information
- Keep your hands visible at all times.
- Do not make sudden movements.
- Comply with lawful instructions about exiting the vehicle, but do not answer questions about your immigration status, country of origin, or how you entered the U.S.
- Do Not Consent to Searches
- ICE agents may ask to search your car. Politely but firmly say: “I do not consent to a search.”
- Your refusal does not mean you will not be taken into custody, but it preserves your rights for later legal challenges.
- Ask for a Warrant
- ICE may have an administrative warrant or claim they can detain you without one.
- Request to see a judicial warrant. Administrative warrants alone do not authorize ICE to break your window or forcibly remove you from your car.
- Memorize Details
- Note the names and badge numbers of agents if possible.
- Take note of the location, time, and circumstances of the detention.
- If witnesses are nearby, ask them to observe and later provide statements.
What Not to Say
- Do not lie about your identity or immigration status.
- Do not argue about legal authority on the spot.
- Do not consent to signing any document without your lawyer present.
Remember: anything you say can potentially be used in removal proceedings.
Who to Call Immediately
- Call Your Immigration Lawyer
- Your lawyer can document constitutional violations and advise you or your family on immediate steps.
- Acting quickly preserves evidence and protects your legal options.
- Call a Trusted Family Member or Friend
- Let them know your location and situation.
- They can contact your lawyer if you are unable to.
- Use Emergency Contact Cards
- Keep a card in your wallet with your attorney’s phone number and any ICE case number if applicable.
Where You May Be Taken
If ICE detains you, you may be taken to:
- A local ICE detention center or holding facility
- A regional detention center
- Sometimes directly to a processing facility for removal proceedings
Detention can be lengthy, and the conditions vary by facility. Having a lawyer who knows your case can make a critical difference in your treatment and in protecting your rights while in custody.
How an Immigration Lawyer Can Help
At Landerholm Immigration, we specialize in helping immigrants:
- Understand their rights during traffic stops and ICE encounters
- Prepare in advance with an emergency legal plan
- Take immediate action if ICE detains them
- Challenge unlawful or unconstitutional detentions
If ICE comes to your car or home, you should not be figuring things out in real time. You should already have a lawyer who knows your case and can act fast. Call us today for a confidential consultation — your safety and legal rights are our top priority.
Final Thoughts
Incidents of ICE breaking car windows during arrests are alarming but do not remove your legal rights. Know your rights, stay calm, do not provide information without your lawyer, and have a trusted attorney ready to act.
Otis Landerholm is an immigration attorney and the founder of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., dedicated to protecting immigrant families and defending constitutional rights.