BYSTANDER KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Creating Accountability & Offering Support
MIRA
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
KNOW YOUR (AND EVERYONE'S) RIGHTS
Everyone living in the U.S. has certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status.
It is important to assert these rights when safe to do so.
Asserting the right to remain silent can be difficult - carry a Know Your Rights card!
If you haven't received a KYR training yet, to learn about our basic rights in interaction with immigration enforcement, you can watch one on MIRA's website bit.ly/KYRMIRA.
SAFETY FIRST
If you feel it is not safe for you to be a bystander, you can calmly leave the situation.
If you choose to act as a bystander:
Stay Calm
Keep People Safe
Gather Evidence
CREATING ACCOUNTABILITY
Call LUCE Defense Hotline (617-370-5023)
Where exactly are the agents?
How many immigration or law enforcement agents are there?
What are the agents doing?
How long have the agents been in that location?
What, if anything, do you know about the person being detained?
Ask questions (even if you don't get answers)
What agency are you with?
What are your names and badge numbers?
Do you have a warrant? Can I see it? (note: they are not required to show it to a bystander).
Where is this person being taken?
You have the right to remain silent.
Record what is happening
Its your first amendment right to record in public spaces.
You must record from a reasonable distance. If an officer asks you to step back, you should comply with the order, but may continue recording.
On private property, an owner may ask you to leave. Note that in some public spaces recording is prohibited (ex: courthouses).
If a law enforcement officer seizes a bystander's recording device, they need a judicial warrant to gain access to the device or recording.
Consider locking phone with a password instead of face recognition.
Capture any identifying information (agency vests, unifo…