Know Your Rights - Resources for Nonprofit Employers + Employees

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to increase operations in many locations, including here in Maine. All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution.  

For Employers

• Prepare:
  • How can I prepare my workplace for an ICE encounter? What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace
  • How can I prepare if I work at a school, place of worship, health care, facility, or shelter? Know Your Rights Checklists: Guidance for Health Care, Shelters, Clergy, Education
  • How to prepare your business for interactions with immigration agents (see infographic at right from How Maine businesses are preparing for ICE encorcement actions, Portland Press Herald)
  • Ensure your organization is up to do on immigration and workforce compliance
    • Webinar Series: Employers Navigating Immigration and Workforce Compliance
    • The Importance of I-9 Compliance and Why Businesses Need to be Proactive.
• Empower: Print and distribute "Red Cards" which help people understand their rights (available in multiple languages)
• Support: Even if you do not realize it, you may have employees who have fears for themselves and their families, or who are concerned about clients, neighbors, and friends. Help connect employees to support through your EAP and community resources.
• Stay safe: Democracy Security Project offers this pocket guide of de-escalation strategies. 

For Individuals

• Know Your Rights: This guidance from Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project covers what to do if you are stopped by an immigration officer whether at your home, in public, or at your workplace. (Available in English, French, Portugese, Spanish, Lingala, Kreyol Ayisyen)
• Understand Law Enforcement: Democracy Security Project offers this resource about what the local police, National Guard, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can and can't do. If you believe ICE or Border Patrol has violated your or someone else's rights, you can complete this form.
• The Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition has an extensive resource hub with more information.

MIRC Resource Hub and Hotline 207-544-9989

How to Help

• Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project of Maine (ILAP) provides information on how to request legal help for a person detained by immigration officials
• Support organizations providing resources for detainees and their families such as commissary and transportation funding, financial support for bail bonds and legal fees, support for families, and more.
  • Maine Solidarity Fund
  • Project Relief ME
  • We will add additional organizations as we receive confirmation they would like to be listed.

This blog post does not represent legal advice. For legal support and questions related to immigration, use the National Immigration Legal Services Directory.