Joey and his wife were in the middle of applying for a green card through marriage — a stressful process even on the best of days. Terrified and confused, Joey did what he thought he had to: he opened the door.
The agents walked in, spreading out through his living room like they owned the place. They questioned him about his relationship, their living situation, their paperwork — poking and prodding, making Joey feel like a criminal in his own home.
The cruel truth?
They didn’t even have a real warrant.

Without a judicial warrant, ICE has no right to enter your home. Know the difference. Protect your family.
Stories like Joey’s aren’t rare — and they show why understanding your rights is so important.
When immigration agents show up at a home, they often carry what’s called an administrative warrant. These documents, often labeled "Warrant for Arrest of Alien" (Form I-200) or "Notice of Custody Determination" (Form I-205), are not signed by a judge. They’re issued internally by ICE itself — and legally, they do not give ICE the authority to enter a private home without permission.
The U.S. Constitution, through the Fourth Amendment, protects everyone’s right to privacy inside their home — citizen or not. Unless ICE has a judicial warrant (one signed by a neutral judge), they cannot legally enter without your consent.
But fear, confusion, and intimidation often lead people to open the door — just like Joey did.
Here’s what to remember if ICE comes knocking:j

• Stay calm. Keep the door closed.
• Ask them to show the warrant — without opening the door.
• Check carefully. A real judicial warrant will come from a court and be signed by a judge.
• If they only have an administrative warrant, you do not have to let them in.
• You have the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer.

Joey’s story could have ended very differently if he had known these rights ahead of time. Fortunately, he later connected with an immigration attorney who helped fix the situation. But not everyone gets that second chance.
Don’t wait for fear to take over.
Knowing your rights is your best defense — and your greatest source of strength.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. 

Every year, millions of undocumented immigrants pay taxes in the United States. In fact, they paid around $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022 alone, according to a report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Even though they are not eligible for most government benefits, they still contribute to Social Security, Medicare, and other public programs.

Many of these immigrants file taxes using something called an ITIN — an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number — because they don’t have a Social Security number. For years, the IRS has promised to keep this information private, even from other government agencies.
​But that may be changing.











Millions File Taxes with ITINs, Trusting Their Information Will Stay Private
A new agreement between the IRS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would allow ICE to request tax information about people they are trying to deport or investigate. This is a big shift from how the IRS has worked in the past, and many people are calling it a betrayal.

Even some IRS officials are worried. The agency has always protected taxpayer privacy — it’s a key part of getting people to file honestly, even if they are undocumented. The concern now is that immigrants may stop paying taxes out of fear that their information will be used to find and deport them.

The deal has already caused controversy inside the IRS. Reports say that Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause resigned over the issue, concerned that the agency is breaking the law by sharing protected information with ICE.

Critics of the deal say it could destroy trust in the tax system. If people think their tax information will be used against them, they may avoid filing altogether — which would hurt both immigrant communities and the country’s tax revenue.

​Right now, ICE has not yet received any information from the IRS. But immigrant rights groups and legal experts are closely watching what happens next.
This decision could have a lasting impact, not just on immigrants, but on how Americans view the safety and privacy of their own tax records.

     The recent fight between a federal judge and the Trump administration shows how important it is for immigrants to stay alert and informed. Even after the Supreme Court ordered the U.S. government to help free Mr. Abrego Garcia from custody in El Salvador, officials delayed action. This happened just days before El Salvador’s president was set to visit Washington—raising concerns that politics were taking priority over justice.

     Judge Xinis avoided a full-on clash with the White House by asking for a progress report instead of demanding immediate action. But the message was clear: the administration wasn’t in a hurry to follow the Court’s decision. Sadly, this isn’t new. Judges have often clashed with the government over immigration issues, including the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under questionable legal grounds.
These moments are a warning. Even when the courts rule in favor of immigrants, the government doesn’t always act quickly—or fairly. That’s why immigrants must stay informed and ready to speak up.

   Knowing your rights is essential. If you or someone you know is dealing with immigration issues, get legal advice, stay updated on policies, and connect with local support groups. The law can protect you, but only if you understand how to use it.

     In a system where even court orders can be ignored or delayed, staying quiet can be dangerous. Being informed and involved is the best way to protect yourself and your community.