Your Rights — Sus Derechos
Every person in the United States — regardless of immigration status — has constitutional rights. This card summarizes the most important rights to know and use if you are ever stopped, questioned, or detained by law enforcement or immigration officers.
English — Your 6 Core Rights
- You have rights, dignity, and you are not alone. No matter your status, the U.S. Constitution protects you.
- You have the right to speak with an attorney before signing anything. Do not sign any documents without consulting a lawyer first.
- You have the right to refuse to sign anything. You cannot be forced to sign documents. Signing may waive important rights.
- Anything you say can and will be used against you. Even casual conversation can be used as evidence.
- You have the right to remain silent in ANY situation — on the street, in your car, in your home, at work, or wherever you are.
- You can show this card or say this statement aloud to communicate your rights without speaking further.
I AM EXERCISING MY RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. I WANT TO SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING.
— Read this aloud or show it to any officer who stops or detains you.
Español — Sus 6 Derechos Fundamentales
Toda persona en los Estados Unidos — independientemente de su estatus migratorio — tiene derechos constitucionales.
- Usted tiene derechos, dignidad y no está solo/a. Sin importar su estatus, la Constitución de los EE.UU. lo/la protege.
- Tiene derecho a hablar con un abogado antes de firmar cualquier cosa. No firme ningún documento sin consultar a un abogado primero.
- Tiene derecho a negarse a firmar cualquier cosa. No puede ser obligado/a a firmar documentos. Firmar puede renunciar a derechos importantes.
- Todo lo que diga puede y será usado en su contra. Incluso una conversación casual puede usarse como evidencia.
- Tiene derecho a guardar silencio en CUALQUIER situación — en la calle, en su auto, en su hogar, en el trabajo o donde sea que esté.
- Puede mostrar esta tarjeta o leer esta declaración en voz alta para comunicar sus derechos sin hablar más.
ESTOY EJERCIENDO MI DERECHO A GUARDAR SILENCIO. QUIERO HABLAR CON UN ABOGADO ANTES DE DECIR CUALQUIER COSA.
— Léalo en voz alta o muéstreselo a cualquier oficial que lo/la detenga.
What To Do If You Are Stopped
- Stay calm. Do not run, argue, resist, or obstruct — even if you believe your rights are being violated.
- Say nothing beyond basic identification (if required in your state). You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the country, or your immigration status.
- Do not consent to a search. You can clearly say: “I do not consent to a search.”
- Do not sign anything. You have the right to consult an attorney before signing any document.
- Ask if you are free to go. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away. If not, you are being detained — invoke your right to silence and ask for a lawyer immediately.
- Write down everything you remember as soon as it is safe — names, badge numbers, locations, what was said.
- Contact an attorney or immigration legal aid organization as soon as possible.
Emergency Contacts / Contactos de Emergencia
Before anything happens, fill in the name and phone number of an attorney or legal aid organization you can contact.
| Attorney Name / Nombre del Abogado | ___________________________ |
|---|---|
| Phone / Teléfono | ___________________________ |
| Immigration Legal Aid | ___________________________ |
Distributed by NaLEC — National Latino Evangelical Coalition. For more resources, visit nalec.org.