What You Need to Know About This Supreme Court Decision
- IFT
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Dear IFT Member,
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of a lower court order in Los Angeles. This decision allows federal agents to detain people based on their race or ethnicity, type of job, or for speaking Spanish or English with an accent. It is a deeply troubling ruling that raises serious concerns for our neighbors and communities.
While the risk of a U.S. citizen being detained or deported remains low, we urge citizens who are concerned about being targeted by ICE to carry proof of citizenship with them. This may include a passport card, copies of naturalization papers, or similar documents.
If you are a U.S. citizen stopped by ICE:
· Stay calm and polite. Do not run or argue.
· Ask if you are free to go. If yes, walk away.
· State clearly: “I am a U.S. citizen.”
· Show proof of citizenship, if asked (passport, passport card,
naturalization certificate, or copies).
· Do not sign anything without speaking to a civil rights lawyer.
· If detained by mistake, insist on your right to speak to an attorney immediately.
The IFT website offers resources to assist you in the event you encounter ICE agents in your community. These websites are also excellent sources of information about your legal rights and who to contact if you need help.
Toll-free help is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Polish (1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY / 1-855-435-7693). Assistance includes locating someone in ICE custody, reporting ICE activity, connecting with an immigration attorney, DACA information, healthcare support, public-charge updates, and workplace rights.
The flyer offers detailed advice on what to do during ICE encounters—at home, in public, in vehicles, or at work. Covers your rights to remain silent, ask for a lawyer, refuse to sign documents, and contact your consulate.
This information hub highlights services and protections for Chicago’s immigrant and refugee communities.
This site offers tips on how to be prepared for interactions with ICE, including emergency phone numbers and a sign up for Eyes on ICE text alerts. (Hands Off Chicago is led by the Illinois AFL-CIO, Chicago Federation of Labor, Indivisible Chicago, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and others.)
We encourage everyone to stand in solidarity with all those we serve, especially those under great stress right now: immigrants, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities.
The IFT will continue monitoring developments and will share more information as it becomes available.
In Solidarity,
Dan Montgomery, IFT President