Safety and your rights
What to do if you are in danger or have been hurt, if ICE comes to your door or someone close to you is detained, and how to deal with the police. We also explain how to recognize scams and protect your phone.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.
QARAVAN does not provide legal services and is no substitute for a lawyer. This is what official sources say; only a lawyer can advise on your case. The City's MOIA line (800-354-0365, Russian available) answers immigration questions and tells you where to find a free lawyer.
Information is current as of November 2026. Rules change fast and some new state laws are being challenged in court, so check anything important for your case with a lawyer.
Start here
- If you are in danger, call 911 and say “Russian”: an interpreter will join. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) does not ask victims about immigration status.
- If immigration officers come to you, don't open the door, stay silent and sign nothing until you talk to a lawyer.
- If you or someone close to you is detained, find them at locator.ice.gov and apply for free legal help at on.nyc.gov/rrlc.
- 1If you are in danger right now
- 2If ICE comes to you
- 3What City and State laws protect and where the protection ends
- 4If you or someone close to you is detained
- 5Police stops and arrests
- 6Violence in a couple or family
- 7Attacks and threats because of hatred
- 8Scams and fake immigration helpers
- 9Digital safety and pressure from abroad
Sources, checked November 2026
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03540
- nyc988.cityofnewyork.us/en
- safehorizon.org/hotline
- thetrevorproject.org/get-help
- humantraffickinghotline.org/en
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights.page
- ilrc.org/redcards
- immigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-ice
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/immigration-deportation/what-you-need…
- maketheroadny.org/we-protect-us
- nyc.gov/assets/doi/reports/pdf/2025/49NYPD.SancLawsRelease.Rpt…
- nyc.gov/assets/doi/Testimony/2026/DOITestimonySanctuaryLaws.03…
- nyc.gov/content/dam/nycgov/mayors-office/downloads/pdf/press-r…
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/immigration-deportation/what-you-need…
- nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/28*2
- maketheroadny.org
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-C…
- bronxdefenders.org
- legalaidnyc.org
- bds.org
- dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans
- immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help
- envisionfreedom.org/get-support
- blackimmigrantsbailfund.com
- lgbtqfund.org
- ice.gov/detention-facilities
- familylegalcare.org
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/family-separation.page
- nycourts.gov/help/guardianship/appointing-standby-guardian-child
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/arrests-policing
- bds.org/contact
- queensdefenders.org
- immigrantdefenseproject.org/hotline
- nyc.gov/site/ccrb/complaints/file-a-complaint/file-complaint.p…
- nyc.gov/site/ccrb/complaints/file-a-complaint/right-to-know-ac…
- nyc.gov/site/ocdv/programs/family-justice-centers.page
- opdv.ny.gov/survivors-victims
- thehotline.org
- avp.org/get-help
- nyc.gov/hopeservices
- stopstalkerware.org/stalkerware-detection-removal-and-prevention
- nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page
- nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/hate-crimes.page
- nyc.gov/site/stophate/file-a-report/file-a-report.page
- nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/victim-support.page
- ovs.ny.gov/victim-compensation
- avp.org/get-help/report-violence
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-immigration-serv…
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page
- ag.ny.gov/resources/individuals/consumer-issues/immigration-se…
- reportfraud.ftc.gov
- ic3.gov
- justice.gov/eoir/can-someone-represent-you-eoir
- uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams
- fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/transnational-repression
- accessnow.org/help
- ssd.eff.org/ru
- support.apple.com/en-us/105120
- landing.google.com/advancedprotection
- stopstalkerware.org
- ice.gov/about-ice
- uscis.gov/about-us
- locator.ice.gov/odls
- on.nyc.gov/rrlc
- ssd.eff.org/module/your-security-plan
- ssd.eff.org/module/seven-steps-digital-security
- ssd.eff.org/module/how-to-use-signal
- ssd.eff.org/module/how-avoid-phishing-attacks
- ssd.eff.org/module/how-enable-two-factor-authentication
- ssd.eff.org/module/how-to-get-to-know-iphone-privacy-and-secur…
- landing.google.com/advancedprotection/faq
- nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/immigrants.page
- iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/search
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/domestic-violence.page
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/resources-for-immigran…
- avp.org/get-help/legal
- nyc.gov/site/ccrb/complaints/file-a-complaint/ccrb-jurisdictio…
- migrationpolicy.org/article/supreme-court-rules-attorneys-must…
- nyc.gov/site/stophate/resources/frequently-asked-questions.page
- nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S425
- uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-human-trafficking-t-nonimmig…
- everycrsreport.com/reports/LSB11438.html
- law.cornell.edu/wex/habeas_corpus
- nycourts.gov/help/guardianship/guardianship-child
- nyc.gov/site/ccrb/complaints/file-a-complaint/know-your-rights…
- nyc.gov/assets/ocdv/downloads/pdf/NYC-HOPE-11x17-wall-poster-E…
- ovs.ny.gov/faq
- cbp.gov/travel/cbp-search-authority/border-search-electronic-d…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/New-York-Immigrant-Fam…
- nyc.gov/knowyourrights
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/KYR-with-ICE_February-…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Updated-Flyer_KYR-ICE-…
- americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/ices-secret-warrantless-ho…
- nyic.org/2026/06/court-of-appeals-upholds-trumps-expedited-rem…
- aila.org/library/d-c-circuit-allows-expansion-of-expedited-rem…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Immigration-Court-101-…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/What-to-do-after-a-lov…
- acis.eoir.justice.gov/en
- respondentaccess.eoir.justice.gov/en
- uscis.gov/alienregistration
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/immigration-deportation/what-you-need…
- uscis.gov/addresschange
- ssd.eff.org/module/attending-protest
- uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-of-human-trafficking-and-other-…
- uscis.gov/humanitarian/abused-spouses-children-and-parents
- nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/crime-victims-rights.p…
- governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-govern…
- nyc.gov/assets/ocdv/downloads/pdf/Accessible-2025-ENDGBDV-FJC-…
- bkreader.com/policy-government/brooklyn-center-expands-after-h…
- on.nyc.gov/hotlinechat
- nyc.gov/site/nypd/services/law-enforcement/domestic-violence.p…
- access.nyc.gov/programs/nyc-988
- 988lifeline.org/interpretation-services/russian
- avp.org/2026/08/03/new-hotline-hours
- nyc.gov/assets/cchr/downloads/pdf/materials/ProtectedClasses_F…
- portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01783
- uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-se…
- nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/consumers/Tips-for-Immigrants…
- justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports
- legalaidnyc.org/get-help/immigration-deportation/what-you-need…
- uscis.gov/i-589
- dos.ny.gov/know-your-rights
- supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/26-104.html
- nyclu.org/press-release/after-ice-admitted-having-no-justifica…
- bostonglobe.com/2026/05/20/nation/ice-makes-courthouse-arrest-…
- ny.gov/programs/hate-crimes-task-force
- portal.311.nyc.gov
- familylegalcare.org/secure-email
- nyc.gov/site/ccrb/complaints/file-a-complaint/file-online.page
- dhr.ny.gov/node/7806
- ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/civil-rights
- ag.ny.gov/file-complaint
- ovscompass.ovs.ny.gov/ovs/applicant/signIn
- thehotline.org/about
- humantraffickinghotline.org/en/about-us
- lawhelpny.org/resource/your-right-to-assistance-in-your-langua…
- lawhelpny.org/organization/legal-aid-society-criminal-defense-…
- acludc.org/cases/make-road-ny-v-huffman
- thecityreporter.nyc/2026/07/08/ice-new-justification-federal-p…
- ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-and-govern…
- abc7ny.com/post/federal-judge-rules-new-york-states-mask-ban-i…
- nepyork.com/2026/08/03/judge-blocks-new-york-mask-and-id-rules…
- ice.gov/secure-communities
- ice.gov/bonds
- thecityreporter.nyc/2026/09/24/ice-ruling-26-federal-plaza-nyc…
- nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-C…
- blackimmigrantsbailfund.com
- uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-589instr.pdf
- ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-208/subpa…
- telegram.org/faq