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Berkshire Immigrant Center

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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Your rights!

Your rights!

Learn about protecting your rights if involved in an immigration raid stopped by the police/immigration:

ACLU Know Your Rights Information

MIRA Coalition Know Your Rights Information

MIRA Know Your Rights PowerPoint 2008

MIRA/AILA/PAIR KYR Training 2016

Raids Rapid Response Toolkit

Know Your Rights as a Worker Booklet English

 

In late December 2015 there were rumors that the ICE was conducting raids that targeted immigrant families who arrived here fleeing violence in Central America and received final deportation orders after January 1, 2014.

In what was described as a “large-scale effort to deport families who fled violence in Central America,” we heard reports that DHS/ICE was coordinating with the Salvadoran consulate. At that time, DHS/ICE was prioritizing the deportation of:

  • those with open deportation orders,
  • those who have signed for voluntary departure,
  • families with a negative credible or reasonable fear determinations who were never issued a Notice to Appear, and
  • those who litigated and lost legal claims.

So this implies that people who are being targeted HAVE HAD PAST CONTACT WITH IMMIGRATION, THE IMMIGRATION COURTS, OR BORDER AGENTS. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW BECAUSE IT IS PROBABLE THIS GROUP WILL CONTINUE BE TARGETED UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

Remember these basic rules:

  • Do not open the door for immigration agents.
  • Do not answer the questions of immigration agents. You have the right to remain silent—even if you are detained. You do not need to give your name or identity documents. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
  • Do not lie or show any false documents.
  • If you are at work or on the street or in a public place, ask the immigration agent if you are free to go. If the agent says yes, walk away slowly and calmly.
  • If you are at home, ask the officer if they have a warrant. A warrant is a paper signed by a judge giving the officer permission to enter your home. The warrant will specify what areas of your home they are allowed to search. If the officer has a warrant, ask them to slip it under the door. Only then should you let them in.

 

More information about what to do in the event of a raid is available here: http://iceoutofla.org.

To report a raid, call 844-878-8071.

You can contact MIRA if you have any questions or are concerned about being a target for deportation, at 617-350-5480.

You can also report any raids to the Fair Immigration Reform Movement and United We Dream by calling 1-844-363-1423.

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Important Links

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Immigration Law Help
  • Mass 211
  • Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
  • Massachusetts Justice Project
  • MERECEMOS IGUALDAD – POPULAR EDUCATION TOOLS ON DAPA, DACA & AMINISTRATIVE RELIEF
  • National Immigration Forum
  • National Immigration Law Center
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the World
  • United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
  • Welcoming Massachusetts

BIA Accredited

Since February 2014 the Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) has been accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This designation enables BIC case workers to provide legal representation and make direct inquiries to USCIS on behalf of our clients. We are grateful to the following law firms for continuously supporting the Center as it implements BIA best practices to provide a high level of quality service and representation for our clients.

The Law Office of S. Michele Sisselman
Pittsfield & Chelsea MA
Tel. (617)-926-4898

Campoli & Monteleone

Best & Associates

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP

Contact Us:

The Berkshire Immigrant Center
67 East Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Tel: (413) 445-4881
Fax: (413) 445-4802
info@berkshireic.com

Parking:
Free parking is available on non-metered streets surrounding downtown and in front of our office on Allen st. for 1 to 3 hours or more as indicated by street signs. The streets near the court house (on the opposite side of the traffic circle from our office) provide up to 3 hours of free parking.
Metered parking by the hour is available on downtown streets and in city parking lots - many of which are close to our office.

Where to find us:
We are located on the 2nd floor of St. Stephen's Church, easily identifiable as the big brown church by the traffic circle in downtown Pittsfield. The Church's address is 67 East st., but our entrance is on Allen st. through the big red doors.

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