What to do if encountering ICE?

Shit is getting real. ICE going door to door all over the country. Today they are going door to door in apartment buildings in Dyckman neighborhood of NYC.

What do you do if you encounter ICE? Obviously I carry my EAD with me in my wallet but they don’t really care about documents, they just want to apprehend to meet their quotas set up by wannabe Nazi Stephen Miller. Or there have been cases where they just claim your documents are fake or forged and they just take them and then there you are with no documents. I really hope not to encounter ICE but I want to know what to do if I encounter ICE. What would you do? And do you personally know anyone who has encountered ICE or have you encountered or had interactions with them yourself?

You can choose to remain silent if ICE approaches you in public. You have to tell them so. You do not have to answer any questions or show them any documents.

https://youtu.be/kv9-tmSiWns?si=KlCP7-6X9QiHO9BG

https://youtu.be/xFJ2KMbyg6E?si=K5Zd449BBtJzBf_4

But some lawyers will say if you have your DACA docs, you must show them.

So much contradictory advice.

Well, the Mexican guy that got deported said he told them about his DACA status and everything and he said they said they don’t care. Most of these ICE agents are mostly Proud Boys and not trained or vetted properly. Better to be silent.

Saying don't mean much. According to some lawyers you must carry your EAD and I-797 approval copy.

Then again, according to some lawyers you have the right to remain quiet and to not show them anything.

Just this simple thing is VERY CONFUSING.

I for myself, carry my EAD and I797, because it is true that I have DACA. Although Pending Renewal right now.

One more important thing:

ICE/CBP have facial recognition app on their phones.

You can clearly see them using it on some youtube videos. A man was refusing to identify/say anything, CBP officer just pulls out his phone and scans his face. They will know your status/history right away.

How is being silent help you in that situation? Unless you're wearing a mask.

I've been thinking about this a lot. Here's what lawyers actually mean:

If you're a true undoc/overstay, like you don't have any protection from deportation, stay silent.

If you have some protection, like you got DACA, show them proof.

Did you read the entire article about the Mexican DACA recipient that got deported? He said he showed ICE his DACA documents and they said they didn’t care. He didn’t just talk about it, he showed it to them. They have even told American citizens they don’t care when they say they have their documents, happened to many African Americans in that raid on that apartment building in Chicago. It is detain and ask questions later. That is why it is better to NOT say anything at all. I’d rather stay silent and if they detain me, I will just ask for a lawyer and say nothing at all.

The article said he just told them about his DACA. He didn't show any docs.

Nope. Read the whole article.

https://www.independent.com/2026/01/...an-ice-arrest/

“He attempted to show them his California driver’s license and employment authorization documents, but they did not accept either.