Red cards passed out from Centro la Familia at a news conference on Jan. 11 2025 for community members. Gisselle Medina | Fresnoland

What's at stake:

As ICE escalates throughout the Central Valley, Fresnoland created an updated Know-Your-Rights guide with local and state resources.

Federal agents spent the past week grabbing people off the streets in and around Fresno, with local immigrant advocates condemning what they described as widespread warrantless detentions throughout the Central Valley, just weeks before the midterm elections. 

On Friday, an off-duty ICE officer described by police as “intoxicated and agitated” was found passed out before assaulting a Fresno homeowner. Police said the 72-year-old Tower District man shot the drunken ICE agent in self defense. On Tuesday, the agent was charged with assault, elder abuse, vandalism and battery with the incident.  

The Central Valley was among the first to see the new, aggressive anti-immigration campaign in January 2025, days before Donald Trump returned to office for his second term. Border patrol conducted illegal stops and arrests near the Mexico border. 

High-profile raids emerged in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Chicago and other major cities throughout the year, with multiple fatal shootings involving ICE agents. California has seen record numbers of detentions. In July alone, ICE recorded nearly 50,000 arrests nationally and 4,300 in California, both records for Trump’s second term.

Fresnoland conducted a Know-Your-Rights guide, an updated version of the one published in January 2025.

You have a right to.. | ACLU + National Immigration Law Center:

  • Not open your door unless ICE has a warrant signed by a judge.
  • Not answer questions about your immigration status or what country you are from when police, immigration agents or any other officials ask.
  • Remain silent and refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your car or your home. Say “I wish to remain silent” and “I do not consent to a search” loud enough for the officers and any witnesses to hear you.
  • Ask for a lawyer if you are arrested — do not answer questions until your lawyer is with you. You can refuse to sign documents without consulting with a lawyer.
  • Ask “Am I under arrest?” If you are not under arrest, you have the right to calmly leave.
  • Receive documents in a language you understand. If you do not understand English, ask for an interpreter.

If you are detained.. | ACLU + National Immigration Law Center:

  • Do not say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without consulting a lawyer. 
  • You have the right to remain silent. You can tell the agent that you’ll only answer questions in the presence of an attorney, no matter your citizenship or immigration status.
  • If you are a U.S. Citizen, say: “I am a U.S. Citizen” and ask why you are being detained. ICE does not have jurisdiction to arrest U.S. Citizens for immigration violations. 
  • Tell ICE if you have medical issues or need to arrange for childcare. 
  • Request an interpreter for any conversation with ICE if agents do not speak your language. 
  • You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. A limited exception exists for people who have permission to be in the U.S. for a specific reason and for a limited amount of time (a “nonimmigrant” on a visa, for example). These individuals are required to provide information about their immigration status if asked.
  • If you are afraid to return to your home country, say so loudly and clearly to every agent you see. If you do not say you are afraid to return home, they may deport you without giving you a chance to see a judge or ask for asylum.
  • If you have lived in the U.S. for at least 2 years, tell an officer and show them proof of your living here. This can protect you from fast-track deportation.
  • If you applied for status or are appealing an immigration decision, tell an officer and show them proof of your application or appeal.
  • You have the right to make phone calls to family, friends, or a lawyer. You can request a list of free or low-cost legal service providers to seek representation. 
  • You can receive visitors including family, friends, and lawyers, depending on specific detention facility rules.

How to document immigration enforcement | ACLU

  • You have the right to film in public spaces. But you should not interfere with the actions of the government officials you are recording.
  • Make sure to capture relevant details, such as the names and badge numbers of any agents, any documents that they produce, and any weapons they might be carrying. You should also try to capture the context of your recording, including visible landmarks, street signs, and any other cameras or individuals who are documenting nearby. If you are recording a video, try to keep it as one continuous recording so others can see the full timeline and context of what occurred.
  • Once you have finished recording, make a copy of your photographs or recordings on other devices so they can’t be lost or deleted.
  • Share the documentation, if possible, with the impacted peoples’ loved ones and attorneys. Share the sighting and documentation with your local watch network. You can also upload both confirmed and unconfirmed reports to Ice Out via People Over Papers or Stop ICE Raids Alert Network.

Local Resources 

  • Mexican Consulate of Fresno: (559) 233-4241.
  • Rapid Response Network Kern’s resources on ‘What to do if: ICE shows up’ at your home, work, public, detains you or a loved one.
  • Rapid Response Network Kern resource list for Kern County.
  • Free Immigration Services such as DACA renewal, Green Card Renewal and Consultations with Immigration attorneys Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm through the the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaboration (CVICC) and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. English and Spanish flyers. 

School District Resources

General Resources 

What to do if: 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Medina is a immigration, religion and culture reporter at Fresnoland. They are also a Report for America corps member. Reach them at (559) 203-1005