The Trump administration continued its exercise in mass deportations on students and immigrants this week with the arrest of Columbia University graduate student Mohsen Mahdawi, along with others. 

A lawful permanent resident of 10 years, Mahdawi is the latest detainee in the federal government’s immigration escalation that has shocked, rattled, and harmed Black and Brown communities around the nation. 

To date, the U.S. State Department has revoked student visas and changed the legal statuses of over 1,200 individuals, according to Inside Higher Ed. 

Many are supporters of Palestine and had their names sent to the government by outside pro-Israel groups, The Associated Press reports.

The number of students with legal status who have been stopped and arrested by immigration officers, often in plainclothes, is also rising. Some are suing and have won temporary blocks on deportation. Some are leaving the country on their own out of fear, and others are currently in detention fighting their case, including Mahmoud Khalil, Badar Suri Khan, and Rümeysa Öztürk. 

It’s becoming a dangerously familiar story as President Donald Trump tries to change the boundaries of immigration law in America. 

To carry out the accelerated agenda, his administration is expanding the use of policies like the Alien Enemies Act and Expedited Removal, as well as rapidly shuffling detainees around facilities in different states, according to Documented.

In other cases, student records are being used to justify detainment, but many charges are years-old violations like small traffic stops, or are nonexistent altogether, Zeteo found. 

Meanwhile, the tug-of-war over a deported group of alleged Venezuelan gang members ended up in the Supreme Court. Justices decided in a 5-4 ruling on April 7 that the use of the Alien Enemies Act in this case was legal, but that detainees must now be notified that this policy is being used in their case and given a chance to fight it in court, according to CBS News. 

At the same time, scores of people fighting for their rights in less high-profile cases are playing out in immigration courts around the country, Sahan Journal reports.

A beginner’s guide to immigration detainment 

These escalations are not easy to resist. But two good places to start are being informed about how to handle immigration officers, and preparing yourself, loved ones, or your community for what getting detained and fighting a case in court might look like. 

Most importantly, this approach is working. People are successfully protecting themselves against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. Even “border czar” Tom Homan agrees that more people are educated about their rights nowadays, and that it is making mass deportations more difficult, according to The Nation. 

The following is legal information, not legal advice. For specific advice on a personal situation, consult a law professional. Unless otherwise stated, these tips and resources are collected from the National Immigration Law Center, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and the Immigrant Defense Project.

How to prepare today

  • Carry with you any proof of lawful status, an application for lawful status, or an appeal of an immigration decision. Also, carry any proof of living in the United States for at least two years (a lease, mail with your address, etc), and a Red Card/Know Your Rights Card. Do not carry any ID from another country.
  • Memorize your emergency contacts and make a safety plan with them, including where your important documents are kept and care plans for any children. You may also want to give those contacts written authorization to make important decisions for your children. 
  • Look into getting a lawyer now, and share their contact info with your family. Getting tailored advice for your situation in advance could be a big help down the road. You can get a head start by learning about the different types of cases people face in immigration proceedings here in English, and here in Spanish.
  • Practice what you would say to immigration officers if you were stopped or arrested. This can make it easier to advocate for yourself in the heat of the moment.
  • Know what to do if immigration officers are at your front door, place of work, or school. There are also ways you can protect your data at border crossings, according to Documented.
  • Understand how ICE regularly tries to trick people into leaving their house or letting officers inside by claiming they are someone else or are pursuing a non-immigration issue. These lies, called “ruses,” are part of the official ICE training. They often involve the use of props such as an unsigned warrant or a fake outfit, and can happen in-person or over the phone.

What to do if detained

In the moment: 

  • Show the papers listed above. Stay calm and feel free to remain silent. Ask someone to record, and ask officers for their names and what agency they are with. Also request a phone call to contact your family or your work and tell them what’s happening.
  • Make sure any warrant shown to you is a signed judicial warrant before you allow any officer inside your home. No other papers give officers the legal power to enter a private residence.
  • If you are scared to return to your home country, speak up. Tell every officer you see from this point on to boost your chances of seeing a judge or getting an asylum hearing. 
  • Do not sign anything before speaking with a lawyer and having it read to you in your own language. Signing anything that says Waiver, Stipulated Removal Order, or Voluntary Departure Agreement could give up your rights. 
  • Tell the officers if you are the parent of a U.S. citizen or green card holder. Also tell them if you are pregnant, or have a disability or health condition. 
  • Get your A-number if you do not know it already. This is a nine-digit ID number and your family can use it to track your location and court case. 

    At the detention center:
  • The court system is slow, so be prepared to wait. It can take 2-4 weeks to schedule an initial hearing, and another 2-3 weeks if you request time to find legal support. Certain cases can extend much longer. 
  • Seek in-person or video conference visits from your family, lawyer, and consulate. The phone numbers for consulates should be on file. Depending on the facility, you may need a friend or family member to set up your phone account with the detention center. 
  • Ask an officer or judge for extra time in your case if you want a lawyer and do not have one yet. Also ask whoever you can if you will get a regular hearing with an immigration judge, or if you are being fast-tracked for deportation under the expanded Expedited Removal policy.
  • The Expedited Removal process allows the U.S. government to deport people  who have never seen a judge. It used to only work within a 100 mile zone of the border and only for 14 days after arrival in the country. However, the Trump administration expanded the policy to be valid for up to two years and cover the entire country.
  • If you are told you are not allowed to see a judge, you may be fast-tracked for deportation under the Expedited Removal expansion. However, if you have a final deportation decision or removal order, you can still try to get a “stay” approved or an old immigration case reopened. If you have an open appeal, you cannot be deported. 
  • Continue to loudly and clearly tell officers if you are scared to return to your home country and advocate for seeing a judge. Also make sure to say if you have been in the country more than two years and show proof, as this means you have the right to a hearing and cannot be fast-tracked for deportation. 
  • Watch out for bad-faith efforts from immigration officers who may visit you to get information about you. You can always use your right to stay silent. If you are detained more than 48 hours past being eligible for release, your rights may have been violated and you should consult your lawyer or consulate. 
  • With legal aid, you can figure out the risks and possibilities of your unique situation, including whether you are allowed to be freed on parole or with a bond payment. If you have prior convictions or immigration rulings, you may not be able to pay bond or see a judge, but a lawyer can still help fight your case and advocate for your rights. If you have lived in the U.S. for two years and have a clean record but are without legal status, you still have the right to a hearing. 
  • The government does not provide a lawyer for you in most cases. Hiring your own greatly improves your chances of winning your case, especially if you may qualify for asylum, cancellation of removal, or another type of protection from being deported.
  • Be honest with your lawyer. They must keep what you share with them confidential. This includes any history you may have with immigration, law enforcement, the criminal legal system, as well as details on your family, work and social life. Also tell them what the impact would be on your family if you were deported, and what would happen if you were sent to your home country. 
  • For free and low-cost legal options, check this directory from The Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net. Other databases can help you cast a wide search. Make sure any lawyer you work with is experienced and in good standing, and look for legal resources yourself at the detention center’s library. 
  • If you are barred from speaking with a lawyer, call the American Bar Association and dial 2150#. Also call the group’s hotline at (855) 641-6081 if you are held in a military facility.
  • Find out whether you are being charged with an immigration violation or a criminal offense. You can ask an officer, or have someone look it up for you using a locator database — either with ICE or the Bureau of Prisons. 
  • While crossing the border without permission is a crime, there is a 5-year time limit on it. If you have lived in the country longer than 5 years, you cannot be charged with this crime. If you are charged with this crime, the government must provide a defense lawyer for you. Your lawyer should be prepared to handle a criminal immigration case, which can be more complicated than a standard immigration hearing.
  • If you are granted a bond hearing, which releases you until your next court date for a fee, it’s important to prove to the judge your good character and community ties. You usually only get one chance at this, so it’s best to be prepared. You can use work or school records, as well as letters of support from friends and family to make your case. 

Advice for family, friends, and witnesses

  • You can track where your loved one is being held using this database. You can also get updates on their case using this tracker. You’ll need the A-number assigned to them, if they have one. 
  • You can get the A-number from them directly, or find it on papers from DHS or the Executive Office for Immigration Review. If you cannot locate them, contact the regional ICE office or detention center directly. 
  • Support your loved one’s case by writing a letter describing their good character and what they add to the community, or what danger they would face if deported to their home country. Include any tangible proof or evidence you may have. 
  • Depending on the facility they are being held at, you may be able to help set up a phone account and send them money for basic necessities. You may also be able to attend  hearings via video call. 
  • Report any raids or immigration encounters that you witness firsthand. Only share verified information, especially on social media. This crowdsourced map shows potential ICE sightings around the nation that are reviewed by moderators. 
  • If you are a U.S. citizen, record the situation and consider nonviolent ways to hold the immigration officers accountable without putting yourself at risk. 

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