Know Your Rights, Protect Each Other
No matter what we look like or where we come from, most of us believe that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to live without fear. We believe that families should stay together, that communities should look out for one another, and that no one should be targeted because of what language they speak or where they were born. But right now, those basic values are under attack. So we’re doing what Missoulians do best: preparing, organizing, and standing up for each other.
10/23/20252 min read
Whether you’re a citizen or not, you have constitutional rights. But what matters most is how we protect those rights together. No one should have to navigate a police stop, border checkpoint, or immigration raid alone or unprepared. That’s why we’re sharing these resources—not to scare, but to strengthen.
Because when the MAGA regime ramps up mass detentions and legal intimidation, we don’t just hope for the best. We prepare.
What To Do If You’re Approached By ICE or Police
Stay calm. Stay silent. Don’t consent to a search.
You have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country. If you’re stopped, you can say, “I’m exercising my right to remain silent.” Say it clearly. Then stay quiet.
Do not run or argue.
This is hard—especially when fear kicks in. But staying calm can protect you. Anything you say or do might be used against you later.
Ask if you’re free to leave.
If the officer says yes, walk away calmly. If you’re being detained, ask why. If you’re arrested, you have the right to a lawyer—and to remain silent until you speak to one.
If ICE comes to your door, don’t open it.
Ask for a warrant signed by a judge. A document from ICE is not enough. Ask them to hold it up to the window or slide it under the door. Without a proper warrant, they can’t legally enter.
Document what happens.
If it’s safe, write down badge numbers, take photos, or film (from a distance). Share what you see with local rapid response networks. These stories help protect others and build legal cases against abuse.
Special Tips for Undocumented Folks
Make a plan with your family. Know who will pick up the kids, pay the bills, contact a lawyer. Keep important documents in a safe, accessible place.
Carry a red card. This card explains your right to remain silent and not consent to a search. You can hand it to ICE or police instead of speaking.
Don’t carry false documents. It’s better to carry no ID than to carry something fake.
What Allies Can Do
Knowing your rights is powerful, but defending them together is what keeps us safe.
Know the signs of an ICE raid and be ready to observe, record, and report. We’re working on setting up rapid-response pods here in Missoula.
Spread this knowledge—especially to those most targeted. Translate it, print it, share it widely.
Organize neighborhood support. The more connected we are, the harder we are to isolate or intimidate.
We're Building Protection Together
In Missoula, we know that power comes from community. This isn’t just about individual safety. It’s about building a culture of resistance and care. This guide is a brief overview—we encourage you to check out the full Know Your Rights toolkit here.