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Understand the Difference between Judicial Warrants and ICE Warrants

January 16, 2025
  • Know Your Rights

Learn the difference between a real judicial warrant signed by a judge and an ICE warrant.  See this resource in English & Spanish.

If ICE comes to your home, do NOT open the door. Ask if they have a valid judicial warrant and ask them to show it to your through the window or to slide it UNDER the door. Do not open the door to review the warrant.

Valid Warrant:
A valid warrant is signed by a “U.S. Magistrate or Judge” under the signature line. The name, date, and address must all be correct. If they present a valid warrant (signed by a judge or magistrate), then only the person who is named on the warrant should step out and close the door behind them to keep others in the home safe.

Non-Valid “ICE” Warrant:
A non-valid warrant (also referred to as an “ICE warrant”) is signed by an ICE agent, NOT by at judge or magistrate. It may say, “Authorized Immigration Officer” below the signature line or “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” This is NOT a valid warrant and you do not need to open the door, stay inside and keep your door locked.

Image on how to identify ICE warrant vs Judicial Warrant - Image text reads - 1) ASK - "DO YOU HAVE A WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE?" REPLY: YES SAY: "CAN YOU PLEASE, PASS IT UNDER THE DOOR OR SHOW IT TO ME THROUGH THE WINDOW?" 2) IDENTIFY - KNOW THE DIFFERENE BETWEEN AN ICE WARRANT AND AN ARREST WARRANT: NON-VALID WARRANT: SIGNED BY AN ICE AGENT, NOT BY A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE" SAYS "AUTHORIZED IMMIGRATION OFFICER" BELOW THE SIGNATURE LINE. VALID WARRANT: SIGNED BY "U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE" UNDER THE SIGNATURE LINE. 3) IF IT IS VALID 1. CHECK THAT YOUR NAME IS ON THE WARRANT. 2. IF VALID, THE PERSON NAMED ON THE WARRANT SHOULD LEAVE THE HOUSE TO SPEAK WITH ICE. OTHERS IN THE HOME SHOULD STAY INSIDE. 4) IF ICE ENTERS YOUR HOME REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. MAKE SURE OTHERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO KEEP QUIET. 5) IF ICE DETAINS YOU 1. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT 2. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO SIGN 3. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A LAWYER 4. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL 5. YOU CAN ASK FOR A BOND HEARING. IF YOU WITNESS A RAID OR ANY ICE ACTIVITY CALL 1 (844) 864 - 8341