Helping Neighbors LNK
A collaboration between local nonprofits and community partners that have developed a plan to support Lincoln families affected by immigration enforcement.
If you see I.C.E. in the Lincoln Community:
If you see I.C.E. (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) in Lincoln, make a credible report below. The Helping Neighbors LNK team will verify the information and share updates with local nonprofits, community centers, and partners. Serious inquiries only.
Prairielands Freedom Fund
Donate to Prairielands Freedom Fund - Nebraska
Prairielands Freedom Fund pays bond to free people held in immigration detention in Nebraska, allowing them to return home to their families and communities.
Help if you are Detained
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Search the Online Detainee Locator System [Locator.ice.gov] 🌐
Enter the persons A# or USCIS # and Country of Birth
If they don't have a A# or USCIS # they can be searched by their biographic data.
Full name, country of birth, and date of birth,
You cannot search for minors under 18.
If the person who was arrested has an immigration case based on being a victim, like a T or U visa, they usually won’t show up in the locator system.
Warning: The locator only finds people if you put their name in exactly the same way it was entered by the government worker. You might need to try different versions of their name.
Initial updates are not made until at least 48 hours after the arrest.
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f you or a loved one are in ICE custody in Nebraska or Southwest Iowa, you can contact CIRA’s Detainee Assistance Hotline to be screened for eligibility to have an immigration bond set and possible defense against removal.
By Phone (402) 884-0876
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Leave a voicemail during office hours, and they will return your call.
Online
Fill out the [intake form] and email to detaineeintake@ciraconnect.org or mail it to the following address:
CIRA – Detainee Intake 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105
Please Note:
CIRA is not the detainees attorney.
We cannot guarantee that a pro bono attorney will be available.
We encourage anyone in ICE custody to seek legal representation from a qualified immigration attorney or a DOJ accredited representative if they are able.
Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution.
If encountered by law enforcement or ICE agents, it is best to stay calm. Do not argue, resist, run, or obstruct the officer.
You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police officers, immigration agents or other law enforcement officials.
DO NOT CLAIM TO BE A US CITIZEN IF YOU ARE NOT ONE
DO NOT SHOW FALSE DOCUMENTS
DO NOT carry any foreign identification on your person
DO carry USCIS receipts, employment authorization cards, or lawful permanent residence cards as proof of status.
Know Your Rights!
Remember, all people in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, have rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws. Make sure you know your rights if you are approached by police or ICE. Review the information below to help you understand what your rights are and what to do in different situations.
Print-Out and Carry With You
Download, print, cut-out and carry this card with you. You can share these cards with family to inform them if their constitutional rights.
What if Situations…
Scenarios that are helpful for new americans who may encounter I.C.E in different situations.
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Ask if they are immigration agents and what they are there for.
Ask the agent or officer to show you a badge or identification through the window or peephole.
Ask if they have a [warrant] signed by a judge. If they say they do, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can inspect it.
Do not open your door unless ICE shows you a judicial search or arrest warrant naming a person in your residence and/or areas to be searched at your address. If they don’t produce a warrant, keep the door closed. State: “I do not consent to your entry.”
Do not lie or produce any false documents.
Do not sign anything without speaking with a lawyer or accredited representative first.
Remain silent. Say “I invoke my right to remain silent.”
Stay calm and do not run.
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Say: “I do not consent to you being in my home. Please leave.”
If they start to search the home: “I do not consent to your search.”
Do not lie or share where a loved one is
Do not give out their phone number. – Ask for ICE to leave contact information.
Do not give documents (passports, consular IDs).
Do not interrupt an arrest.
Tell ICE if you or your loved one has medical issues or needs childcare.
Write down or record what happened. It could help the case.
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Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Stay in your car, turn on your hazard lights, interior lights if it’s dark, open the window partially, and place your hands on the wheel.
Determine who has pulled you over:
A. If it is a local law enforcement officer who has pulled you over (like a state patrol, police officer, or sheriff), provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance on request. If you do not have any of these documents, do not provide officers with fake documents and do not lie.
B. If it is an ICE officer, first ask if you are free to leave. If you are free to leave, calmly and slowly leave the area. If you are not free to leave, invoke your right to remain silent by informing the officer of your intent to remain silent.
The officer may ask you to provide proof of registration. If the officer asks, you may need to provide USCIS receipts, employment authorization documents, or lawful permanent residence cards.
C. Unless an ICE officer asks you to provide proof of registration, do not provide any officer with information on your immigration status or how/when you came to the U.S.
Regardless of who pulls you over:
Do not show false documents
Do not carry foreign identification with you
The police cannot search your car without a warrant.
Do not consent to the police searching the vehicle.
Say “I do not consent to a search”
The driver, along with the passengers, has the right to remain silent.
Say “I invoke my right to remain silent.”
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Ask for a [warrant] and check to see if your name is on it and is spelled correctly.
You have the right to remain silent (5th Amendment):
A warrant does not require you to answer questions from officers;
Remain silent. Say, “I am invoking my right to remain silent.”
▪ If you are detained, you have the right to speak with a lawyer:
Say, “I want to speak to a lawyer”;
If you are arrested on a criminal matter that carries possible jail time (i.e., by local police), you have the right to have a lawyer appointed to you if you cannot afford a lawyer;
If you are detained by immigration officials, you have the right to consult an immigration attorney, but a lawyer will not be appointed to you so you must find your own.
If you are detained, you have the right to make a phone call:
You must affirmatively ask to make the phone call.
You have the right to refuse to communicate with officers and to refuse to sign any document before speaking to a lawyer.
Do not sign anything.
• Do not consent to being searched – verbally say, “I do not consent to being searched”.
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Remain silent – if you choose to speak, do not lie.
Show your valid immigration documentation or copy of your pending process.
Ask for a [warrant] and check to see if your name is on it and is spelled correctly.
Do not sign anything.
Do not consent to being searched – verbally say, “I do not consent to being searched”.
Do not run or resist.
ICE Lies: Do not agree to do what ICE asks. For example, do not follow them to their office, to immigration offices like USCIS, or to meet them for coffee.
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Do not resist arrest, say you wish to remain silent.
Do not say anything, sign anything or make any decisions without legal representation.
You have the right to make a local phone call.
Do not sign any document that you do not understand.
Activate your emergency plan.
How to Help as an Ally
Scenarios that are helpful for those who want to help their neighbors.
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ICE often commits I-9 (legal employee verification) raids during business hours.
Employers usually receive 72 hours’ notice to provide requested documents.
ICE is limited by the judicial warrant and cannot extend past that.
Employers, employees, and patrons have the right to remain silent.
Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) holders must always have their card on them.
Have a private property sign outside the property in a visible location. ICE must have a warrant to enter any private property.
Document everything.
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In the case that your coworkers do not read or speak English.
Read the [warrant] carefully to determine if the warrant is valid. Remember that the warrant must be signed by a judge.
Inform those being approached by ICE agents: Remind them of their right to remain silent, not answer questions, and not sign any documents without legal counsel.
Offer emotional support: Provide a calm presence and let individuals know they are not alone.
Document the raid: Note the names and badge numbers of officers involved, time of the raid, and any other relevant details.
Share contact information: If possible, ask for contact information from those being detained to help loved ones and attorneys.
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You have the right to document ICE agents.
You have a right to protest and document in a public location or if the private business owner hasn't asked you to leave.
You cannot legally get in the way of ICE or law enforcement activities.
You don't have to answer ICE questions.
If an agent starts to ask questions, ask “Am I being detained?”
If you are not, you are free to leave.
If you are, invoke your right to remain silent and demand the right to speak to an attorney.
Video recording- Remember to record badge numbers, license plates. Focus on ICE agents and not the people being detained.
If possible, record any signs of brutality, racial discrimination, homophobic slurs, verbal threats, etc.
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You have the right to protest on public property as long as you are not blocking access to buildings or services.
Private property owners can set rules for speech and assembly on their property.
When you are lawfully present, you have the right to photograph and record anything in plain view on public property.
Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view without a warrant.
Considerations: Take caution and assess if you are on pretrial diversion, diversion, probation, parole, or do not have legal immigration status.
Interacting with Law Enforcement
If stopped by Lincoln police during a protest:
Remain Calm: Keep your hands where officers can see them and avoid any physical resistance.
Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
Right to Remain Silent: If detained or arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Clearly state, “I am asserting my right to remain silent and wish to speak to a lawyer.
Under Nebraska law, you are required to provide your name if asked by law enforcement.
Nebraska police can manage disruptive conduct for public safety.
Legal Observers
Anyone can serve as a legal observer. The key responsibilities include remaining neutral, documenting events thoroughly, and not intervening in incidents.
Sample Warrants
To enter your home or workplace, officers must have a valid judicial warrant signed and dated by a judge.
Note: I.C.E. administrative arrest warrants and immigration detainers shown below are not valid for entry. Only the judicial warrant at the bottom grants legal access.
Government Sites
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How to find loved ones after an ICE arrest
Search the Online Detainee Locator System
‣ Enter their A# or USCIS # and country of birth.
‣ If they don't have a A# or USCIS # they can be searched by their biographic data.
‣ You cannot search for minors under 18.
‣ Initial updates are not made until at least 48 hours after the arrest.
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How to check on your Immigration Court Case
By phone (automated machine)
‣ Call 1-800-898-7180
‣ You will be asked to select your language and to provide your A#.
‣ If your A# or USCIS # is not yet in the system it means you have not been given a hearing date and you should call weekly to check on your case
Online
‣ Go to ACIS.EOIR.JUSTICE.GOV
‣ Enter your A# and country of birth
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How to check on your USCIS application
‣ Find your receipt number: This 13-character code can be found on your receipt notice (I-797C) or in the email you received from USCIS.
‣ Enter the receipt number: Make sure to enter the number without any dashes.
‣ Check the status: The system will display the latest action taken on your case, next steps, and other relevant information.
Legal Resources:
Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)Detainee Assistance Hotline
Please call (402) 884-0876
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Leave a voicemail during office hours, and they will return your call.
Fill out the [intake form] and email todetaineeintake@ciraconnect.org or mail it to the following address: CIRA – Detainee Intake 4223 Center Street Omaha, NE 68105
Center for Legal Immigration Assistance (CLIA)
For questions: (402) 471-1777
Fill out an intake in person (3047 N 70th St Lincoln, NE 68507) or online in order to be scheduled with a legal representative. [Intake form]
Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline (NILAH)
Free and confidential screening for immigration assistance.
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. CST
Press 9 to leave a voicemail during office hours, and they will return your call
Freedom For Immigrants (FFR): While in detention call 9233#
Compiled List of Nonprofit Providers and Local Private Attorneys.
Know Your Rights:
Available in multiple languages
Know your rights Information and resources
Legal Directory
Preparing Your Family
Button for users to alert their emergency contacts that they’re facing detention
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