Connaissez vos droits : Si l'ICE vient sur votre lieu de travail
Juliana LaMendola • March 20, 2025
Click here to read this article in English
Toutes les personnes vivant aux États-Unis, quel que soit leur statut d'immigration, jouissent de certains droits constitutionnels américains. Si des agents des services de l'immigration et des douanes (ICE) se rendent sur votre lieu de travail, ils doivent disposer soit (1) d'un mandat de perquisition valide, soit (2) du consentement de votre employeur pour pénétrer dans les zones non publiques. Les zones non publiques peuvent comprendre les salles de pause du personnel, les salles de serveurs, les locaux techniques, les bureaux du département des ressources humaines, les salles de réunion privées, etc. Toutefois, l'ICE peut pénétrer dans les zones publiques de votre lieu de travail (hall d'entrée, zone de réception, parking, etc.) sans mandat ni consentement de votre employeur.
Si vous rencontrez l'ICE sur votre lieu de travail, il est important de rester calme. Si un agent vous arrête, vous pouvez lui demander si vous êtes libre de partir. S'il vous répond par l'affirmative, partez calmement. S'il dit non, restez où vous êtes et n'essayez pas de partir.
Vous avez le droit de garder le silence. Vous n'êtes pas obligé de parler à l'ICE, de répondre à des questions ou de présenter des documents. Si l'on vous pose des questions sur votre lieu de naissance, sur la manière dont vous êtes entré aux États-Unis ou sur votre statut d'immigrant, vous pouvez refuser de répondre ou garder le silence. Si vous choisissez de garder le silence, dites-le à haute voix : « Je choisis de garder le silence ». Si les agents vous demandent de vous tenir dans un groupe en raison de votre statut d'immigrant, vous n'êtes pas obligé de vous déplacer. Préparez-vous à faire valoir vos droits en téléchargeant, en imprimant et en portant sur vous un « carton rouge » (disponible sur le site https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas) indiquant que vous ne souhaitez pas parler, répondre à des questions ou signer des documents.
Vous n'êtes pas tenu de présenter des documents d'immigration. Vous pouvez refuser de présenter des documents d'identité qui révèlent votre nationalité ou votre citoyenneté. Toutefois, ne présentez jamais de faux documents ou de fausses informations.
Si vous êtes détenu ou placé en garde à vue, vous avez le droit de contacter un avocat immédiatement. Même si vous n'avez pas d'avocat, vous pouvez dire aux agents de l'immigration : « Je veux parler à un avocat ». Si vous avez un avocat, vous avez le droit de lui parler et, si possible, de fournir une preuve de cette relation (comme un formulaire G-28 signé) à un agent. Si vous n'avez pas d'avocat, demandez une liste d'avocats pro bono (gratuits)
ou low bono (peu coûteux).
Vous n'êtes pas obligé de signer quoi que ce soit sans en parler d'abord à un avocat. Si vous décidez de signer des documents, assurez-vous de bien en comprendre la signification, car la signature peut vous faire renoncer à vos droits ou conduire à votre expulsion.
Si vous pensez que vos droits ont été violés, écrivez ce qui s'est passé. Veillez à inclure des détails spécifiques tels que les noms, les numéros de badge et ce qui a été dit et fait exactement. Signalez la violation à un avocat ou à une organisation de défense des droits des immigrés dès que possible.
Si vous ou quelqu'un que vous connaissez risquez d'être affecté par ce décret, il est essentiel que vous restiez informé et que vous compreniez vos droits. Au cabinet Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., nos avocats de confiance spécialisés dans les questions d'immigration sont à votre disposition pour vous guider et vous soutenir pendant cette période d'incertitude. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter si vous avez besoin d'aide.
Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a regulatory proposal that would remove the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to certain nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, TN, E, and O-1) and their dependents. The draft rule is currently undergoing interagency review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been formally published for public feedback. What This Means Right Now Nothing changes today. The 60-day grace period remains in effect while this rule goes through the approval process. Under current rules, if your job ends early, you have up to 60 days (or until your I-94 expires) to leave the U.S., find a new sponsor, or apply to change status. What Could Change If approved, foreign workers who lose their jobs would no longer get automatic time to find a new employer or change status from within the U.S. They would generally be required to leave the country immediately. Next Steps Once the OMB finishes its initial review, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a public comment period of 30 to 60 days. Based on feedback received during this time, DHS may decide to alter, withdraw, or proceed with the proposal. If the government decides to finalize the rule, the entire process will likely take several months before taking effect. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor developments closely and will share updates on our immigration blog and social media pages as more details emerge.
