Know your rights

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS IN THE U.S. IF I AM STOPPED BY THE POLICE OR AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER?

Everyone in the U.S. has certain rights when stopped by the police or Immigration officers.  It doesn’t matter what your citizenship is or if you are in legal status. 

You have the right to remain silent, to not consent to a search, and to leave unless arrested. If arrested, you have the right to make a call and talk to a lawyer and to not answer questions. You have these and many other important rights if police or immigration officers come to your home or workplace, jail you, or put you in immigration detention.

Guide updated: Unknown

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM IMMIGRATION FRAUD?

Be careful when getting help with your immigration case! Beware of people in Maine who try to trick you by pretending to help with immigration cases. These people can steal your money and hurt your immigration case.

The best way to protect yourself is by having information about what these people do and being careful about who you allow to help with your immigration case.

Page updated: July 2022

If a person who is not a lawyer or an accredited representative has charged you money to help with your immigration paperwork you can file a report with the Attorney General’s Office. Reports may be filed in your primary language.

Can i have, use, grow, or work with marijuana if I AM NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?

No! Maine and other states have legalized marijuana, but marijuana is still ILLEGAL under U.S. immigration law. If you are not a U.S citizen and are found to have used marijuana, worked in a marijuana business, grown marijuana or helped another person use marijuana, you can face serious immigration problems.

If you are NOT a U.S. citizen you cannot have, use, grow, or work with marijuana in ANY state!

Page updated: June 2021

how do criminal charges impact my immigration case?

Criminal charges can have serious consequences on your immigration case. Criminal charges can also put you at risk of deportation. If you already have a criminal charge(s), there are steps you can take to strengthen your immigration case.

Video updated: August 2021

CAN I VOTE OR REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE U.S.?

Only U.S. citizens can vote or register to vote. This is true for all U.S. and State elections.

Under immigration law, non-citizens who register to vote or who vote can face serious immigration problems, including deportation. It does not matter if you registered or voted by mistake, or were told by others it was safe to do so.

Page updated: September 2024

Why is it important to file taxes every year?

It is the law. Everyone in the U.S. must file taxes. This includes people who are in the U.S. without legal status, that is, who are undocumented. Only people who make no money at all or only a very small amount of money are excused from filing.

You should file your taxes to avoid penalties that can be imposed for not filing them. And in many situations, you may be entitled to money from the government.

Video updated: March 2024