If you’re an undocumented immigrant in the United States, you’re probably concerned about your immigration status and whether you’ll be able to stay in the country. You may even be concerned that if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stop you, that you could be arrested, sent to a detention center and later deported. If you’re facing a situation like this, your concerns are well-founded.
As long as you are inside the borders of the United States as an undocumented immigrant, you are at risk of arrest. That said, there are some places where it’s less likely that ICE agents will actually arrest you. These potential “safe zones” include the following:
- Schools, including pre-school to high school and even colleges and universities
- Hospitals
- Churches and places of worship
- Funeral, wedding and religious ceremony sites
- Sites of public demonstrations, rallies, parades and marches
The ICE views the above locations as “sensitive areas” where it should not normally conduct immigration raids. There may be other places where ICE officers will not readily seek to stop and arrest potential undocumented immigrants in addition to the above list.
Finally, it is also important to note that ICE agents could still conduct an arrest at one of these locations, but before doing so, officers would need to consult with a supervisor to obtain permission.
If you’re reading this article, then it’s likely that you or someone you know is an undocumented immigrant in the United States. It’s therefore important that you discuss your situation with a qualified legal counselor you can trust. At our law office, we are available to help you assess your legal rights and options as an undocumented immigrant living in the United States.