> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.workersrights.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ICE was told to make 1,000 more arrests a day. Here's what to do if agents come to your work. - URL: https://www.workersrights.news/what-to-do-if-ice-comes-to-your-work/ - Published: 2026-10-19T21:35:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T21:35:51.000Z - Description: Stay silent, don't run, read the warrant, film from a safe distance: rights that cover citizens, immigrants and coworkers alike. - Author: WorkersRights.News Team - Tags: Advice & Opinion, Legal News On Oct. 6, ICE leadership told agents nationwide to arrest 1,000 more people a day, pushing back toward a goal of 3,000 daily arrests, [CNN reported](https://keyt.com/?p=1486113&ref=workersrights.news), citing two sources. A Homeland Security spokesperson told CNN there are "NO quotas on arrests." Call it whatever you like. Agents arrested several men at a housing construction site in Santa Fe last week, [Searchlight New Mexico reported](https://searchlightnm.org/several-arrests-made-in-ice-raid-at-santa-fe-construction-site/?ref=workersrights.news). In California's Central Valley, [we've reported](https://www.workersrights.news/central-valley-ice-arrests-fresno-facility-overwhelmed/) that so many people are being picked up that the Fresno processing office is struggling to keep up. The odds of agents showing up at your job went up this month. Here's what every worker should know, whether you were born in Fresno or Oaxaca, and whether you are the person being questioned or the coworker watching it happen. ### You have the right to stay quiet. Everyone does. The [Fifth Amendment](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth%5Famendment?ref=workersrights.news) says no one can be "compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." In practice, [the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) says](https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-arrested-detained-immigration/?ref=workersrights.news) "You do not have to talk to them or answer any questions." That includes where you were born and what your status is. The [ACLU notes](https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/your-questions-answered-filming-ice-interactions-safely?ref=workersrights.news) the rights to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer apply regardless of citizenship. Citizens, this part is about you too. When agents swept a horse-racing event in Wilder, Idaho, a year ago, U.S. citizen Juana Rodriguez says she was zip-tied for hours with her three-year-old son, [TIME reported](https://time.com/article/2026/10/19/ICE-immiration-raid-Wilder-Idaho-warrant-FBI-ACLU/?ref=workersrights.news). Your passport at home won't help you in a parking lot. You can break your silence to ask one useful question: "Am I free to leave?" If the answer is yes, [walk away calmly](https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights-faq?ref=workersrights.news), the Immigrant Legal Resource Center advises. ### Don't run, don't lie, don't sign Running feels like a plan. It isn't. NILC tells workers to "Stay calm" and not to run, and its [employer guide](https://www.nilc.org/resources/a-guide-for-employers-what-to-do-if-immigration-comes-to-your-workplace/?ref=workersrights.news) warns that running can be cited as evidence against you. Silence is legal. Lying is not a right. NILC says "Do not lie or give false information," and [San Diego County's labor standards office](https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/OLSE/SelfHelpResources/what-to-do-if-ice-comes-to-your-workplace/?ref=workersrights.news) tells workers not to provide false documents. And sign nothing you don't understand. NILC says "Do NOT sign any documents without talking to a lawyer first," because some forms can waive your right to see a judge. ### Read the warrant before anyone opens the back door Agents can walk into public areas of a business, like a lobby, a dining room or a parking lot, without anyone's permission, [NILC says](https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-warrants/?ref=workersrights.news). Private areas, like a kitchen, warehouse floor or office, are different. A **judicial warrant** is issued by a court and signed by a judge. It's the only kind that lets agents into private areas without consent, and only the places it lists. That tracks the [Fourth Amendment](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fourth%5Famendment?ref=workersrights.news), which requires warrants "particularly describing the place to be searched." An **administrative warrant** is an ICE form, usually an I-200 or I-205, signed by an immigration officer, not a judge. It often says "alien" in the title. According to NILC, it does not authorize entry into private areas. It can still be used to arrest someone in a public space. Without a judicial warrant, agents need consent to enter private areas, and that consent is the employer's to give or refuse, [NILC's employer guide](https://www.nilc.org/resources/a-guide-for-employers-what-to-do-if-immigration-comes-to-your-workplace/?ref=workersrights.news) explains. If you aren't the boss, get a manager. Don't physically block anyone. Even a door cracked open can count as consent, [NILC warns](https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-warrants/?ref=workersrights.news). A real judicial warrant doesn't settle every question, either. In Wilder, the only warrant was an FBI criminal warrant targeting the track's owner and four others over gambling, yet 105 people were arrested on immigration grounds, TIME reported. The ACLU is suing, calling the warrant a "cover to go fishing for immigration arrests." ICE and other agencies have asked the court to dismiss the case. ### Witnesses: be the camera The ACLU says "The First Amendment protects your right to film ICE in public," as long as you don't interfere. On private property, owners can set their own rules about filming, so know your workplace's policy. If it's safe, San Diego County advises writing down agents' names, badge numbers and what they did. Ask where arrested coworkers are being taken so families and lawyers can find them, NILC suggests. ### Make a plan on a boring Tuesday NILC recommends memorizing phone numbers of a relative, a trusted friend and a lawyer, and making a backup plan for who picks up your kids. Your phone may not come with you. ### Your labor rights don't have papers either The National Labor Relations Board says that "Regardless of immigration status, you have the same rights" under the National Labor Relations Act, including acting with coworkers to improve conditions, [with or without a union](https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights?ref=workersrights.news). Its [fact sheet](https://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/basic-page/node-3024/immigrant%5Femployee%5Frights%5Fone%5Fpager%5Fenglish%5Fpdf%5F21860.pdf?ref=workersrights.news) says employers "cannot threaten to call ICE" because workers tried to unionize. The Labor Department [says it enforces](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/48-hoffman-plastics?ref=workersrights.news) federal wage law "without regard to whether an employee is documented or undocumented." A boss who answers a wage complaint with an ICE threat is breaking the law, not enforcing it. ### Find a lawyer before you need one The [National Immigration Legal Services Directory](https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/?ref=workersrights.news) lists nonprofits offering free or low-cost help by zip code. Many communities also run rapid-response networks; Santa Fe volunteers spent last week warning workers and schools. Search your city's name plus "rapid response" and save the number now. This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer about your own situation. ### Sources - [CNN via KEYT: ICE agents told to ramp up daily immigration arrests despite GOP unease as midterms near](https://keyt.com/?p=1486113&ref=workersrights.news) - [Searchlight New Mexico: Several arrests made in ICE raid at Santa Fe construction site](https://searchlightnm.org/several-arrests-made-in-ice-raid-at-santa-fe-construction-site/?ref=workersrights.news) - [TIME: One year after the Wilder, Idaho raid](https://time.com/article/2026/10/19/ICE-immiration-raid-Wilder-Idaho-warrant-FBI-ACLU/?ref=workersrights.news) - [WorkersRights.News: ICE patrols pummel Central Valley communities weeks before the midterms](https://www.workersrights.news/central-valley-ice-arrests-fresno-facility-overwhelmed/) - [Cornell LII: Fifth Amendment](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth%5Famendment?ref=workersrights.news) - [Cornell LII: Fourth Amendment](https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fourth%5Famendment?ref=workersrights.news) - [NILC: What to do if you are arrested or detained by immigration](https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-arrested-detained-immigration/?ref=workersrights.news) - [NILC: Know your rights, warrants](https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-warrants/?ref=workersrights.news) - [NILC: A guide for employers, what to do if immigration comes to your workplace](https://www.nilc.org/resources/a-guide-for-employers-what-to-do-if-immigration-comes-to-your-workplace/?ref=workersrights.news) - [Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Know your rights FAQ](https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights-faq?ref=workersrights.news) - [ACLU: Your questions answered, filming ICE interactions safely](https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/your-questions-answered-filming-ice-interactions-safely?ref=workersrights.news) - [San Diego County OLSE: What to do if ICE comes to your workplace](https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/OLSE/SelfHelpResources/what-to-do-if-ice-comes-to-your-workplace/?ref=workersrights.news) - [NLRB: Your rights](https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights?ref=workersrights.news) - [NLRB: Immigrant employee rights fact sheet](https://www.nlrb.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/basic-page/node-3024/immigrant%5Femployee%5Frights%5Fone%5Fpager%5Fenglish%5Fpdf%5F21860.pdf?ref=workersrights.news) - [U.S. Department of Labor: Fact Sheet #48](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/48-hoffman-plastics?ref=workersrights.news) - [Immigration Advocates Network: National Immigration Legal Services Directory](https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/?ref=workersrights.news)