Know Your Rights Resources

Essential tools, hotlines, organizations, and preparedness resources to help protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Red Cards (Know Your Rights Cards)

What Are Red Cards?

Red Cards are wallet-sized cards that help you assert your constitutional rights during an encounter with immigration officers. They are available in many languages and can be shown through a window, slipped under a door, or handed to an agent.

Where to Get Red Cards

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

The original Red Card provider. Available in 56+ languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Arabic, and many more.

Download printable PDFs or order printed cards.

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

Offers downloadable phone backgrounds and digital Know Your Rights cards. Good option for keeping rights information readily accessible on your phone.

UFW Foundation (United Farm Workers)

Provides free printable Red Cards designed especially for agricultural workers and rural communities.

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

Know Your Rights cards with detailed guidance on asserting your constitutional protections.

How to Use Red Cards

  • 1. At home: Show through a window or slip under the door without opening
  • 2. In public: Hand to an agent if approached
  • 3. Keep accessible: In your wallet, car, and as your phone lock screen
  • 4. Share with family: Make sure everyone in your household has one

Know Your Rights Video Resources

ACLU "Know Your Rights in Motion" Video Series

The ACLU offers a comprehensive video series explaining your rights during immigration encounters. These videos are available in multiple languages to serve diverse communities.

Available Languages:

English Spanish French Urdu Arabic Haitian Creole Russian Mandarin

Access the video series on the ACLU website

Regional Rapid Response Hotlines

Save These Numbers

Memorize or save your local rapid response hotline. These networks can dispatch legal observers, connect you with attorneys, and provide support during immigration enforcement actions.
Region Organization Hotline
California (Statewide) CCIJ ccijustice.org/carrn
Sacramento, CA Rapid Response 916-245-6773
San Diego, CA Rapid Response 619-536-0823
San Francisco, CA SFILEN 415-200-1548
North Bay, CA NBRRN northbayop.org/nbrrn
Orange County, CA OC Rapid Response ocrapidresponse.org
Colorado Rapid Response 1-844-864-8341 (1-844-UNITE-41)
Illinois/Chicago ICIRR 1-855-435-7693
Rhode Island Deportation Defense 401-675-1414
Virginia Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid 202-335-1183
National CASA Raid Tip Hotline 1-888-214-6016
National Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid 202-335-1183

To find additional local resources, search "[Your City] rapid response network immigration" or "[Your City] immigrant rights organization."

Bond Fund Resources

Immigration bond can range from $1,500 to $25,000 or more. Bond funds help families secure the release of detained loved ones who cannot afford to pay.

National Bond Resources

National Bail Fund Network

Provides referrals to 90+ local bond funds across the country. Use their directory to find a bond fund in your area.

Envision Freedom Fund

Operates a hotline for detained individuals seeking bond assistance. Focuses on supporting immigrants in detention facilities.

RAICES Bond Program

Texas-focused but provides referrals nationwide. One of the largest immigration bond assistance programs in the country.

Regional Bond Funds

California

  • Bay Area Immigration Bond Fund
  • CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund (Southern CA)

Pennsylvania

  • Parish Resource Center (Lancaster)
  • New Sanctuary Movement (Philadelphia)
  • Casa San Jose (Pittsburgh)

National/Multi-Regional

  • Black Immigrants Bail Fund
  • Immigrant Freedom Fund

Arizona

Family Preparedness Checklist

Plan Ahead

Being prepared can make a difficult situation more manageable. Use this checklist to ensure your family is ready for emergencies.

1 Documents to Gather

  • Birth certificates for all family members
  • Passports (especially for U.S. citizen children)
  • Immigration documents (green cards, work permits, visa stamps)
  • Social Security cards
  • Medical records and prescription information
  • School records
  • Financial account information
  • Property documents (deeds, leases)
  • Insurance policies
  • Vehicle titles and registration

2 Legal Preparations

  • Consult with an immigration attorney about your situation
  • Complete appropriate guardianship/caregiver documents
  • Create power of attorney for financial matters
  • Designate trusted adults for child care
  • Ensure school has updated emergency contacts
  • Have attorney contact information accessible

3 Emergency Contacts to Have Ready

  • Immigration attorney
  • Designated caregiver for children
  • Rapid response hotline
  • Trusted family members or friends
  • Children's schools
  • Employer contacts
  • Consulate of country of origin

4 Know Your Rights

  • Memorize or carry attorney's phone number
  • Have Red Card accessible (wallet and phone)
  • Know the phrase: "I wish to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer."
  • Teach children what to do if a parent is detained
  • Know your local rapid response hotline

5 Digital Preparedness

  • Install Signal for secure communication
  • Share important passwords with trusted person
  • Back up important photos and documents
  • Know how to reach family members securely
  • Have plan for device security if detained

6 Financial Preparedness

  • Joint bank account or access for trusted person
  • Bills on autopay if possible
  • Cash accessible for emergencies
  • Know how bills will be paid if detained

Key Organizations and Hotlines

Legal Support Organizations

Organization Focus Website
ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project Know Your Rights resources aclu.org
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Policy advocacy, resources nilc.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) Red Cards, legal resources ilrc.org
National Immigration Project of NLG Legal support network nipnlg.org
Immigrant Defense Project Raids resources immigrantdefenseproject.org

Rapid Response and Mutual Aid

Resource Contact
CLINIC Rapid Response Toolkit cliniclegal.org
National Bail Fund Network communityjusticeexchange.org
CASA Raid Tip Hotline 1-888-214-6016
Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid 202-335-1183

Reporting Civil Rights Violations

Agency Contact
DHS Civil Rights & Civil Liberties 1-866-644-8360 | [email protected]
DHS Office of Inspector General oig.dhs.gov/hotline
ICE Office of Professional Responsibility 833-442-3677 | [email protected]
ACLU 1-888-567-ACLU

Mental Health Crisis Support

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

If Someone is Detained

How to Locate a Detained Person

1

Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator

locator.ice.gov - Search using the person's full legal name, date of birth, and country of origin.

2

Call the Local ICE Field Office

If online search doesn't work, call directly.

3

Be Patient

It may take 24-72 hours for a detained person to appear in the system.

Important

Contact an immigration attorney immediately when someone is detained. Do not sign any documents without legal advice.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation.