Safe2Drive Blog

Being stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can feel overwhelming and scary. Whether you’re driving, parked, or on foot, understanding your rights before an encounter gives you a real advantage. With recent reports of increased enforcement and historically high detention numbers, knowing your rights is more important than ever. The steps below follow guidance from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. It’s best to consult with an immigration attorney for immigration cases.

1. Prepare a Safety Plan Ahead of Time

It’s always good to have a plan in place so that you know exactly what to do in the moment. Here are some recommendations for making your plan:

• Memorize important phone numbers in case your phone is taken.
• Give someone you trust written permission to care for your children or dependents if you’re detained.
• Keep your A-Number (if you have one) in a safe place and share it with a trusted contact.
• Make sure a family member knows how to use the online detainee locator.

Preparation can help you stay calm and organized during an encounter with ICE.

2. During the Stop: Stay Calm and Know Your Options

If you’re pulled over while driving, remember that you have rights regardless of immigration status. Here’s what to do during a traffic stop with ICE:

• Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and wait for the officer to speak.
• Ask if you are free to leave. If they say yes, leave calmly and swiftly.
• Do not lie about your status or give false documents. It’s better to say nothing at all than to lie.
• If you are undocumented, you have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country.

U.S. citizens and lawful residents may show proof of status if needed, but only provide what is required. Officers may ask for identification, and providing a valid driver’s license or state ID is usually enough during a traffic stop. You do not have to hand over extra documents like a passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, green card, or naturalization certificate unless legally required in your specific situation. Sharing more documents than necessary can lead to unnecessary questioning. Keep your answers short and stick to what the officer actually requests. Do not offer up any additional information.

3. If Officers Claim to Be ICE: Confirm Who They Are

ICE officers sometimes present themselves differently, and each agency follows different rules.

• Ask directly whether they are ICE or local law enforcement.
• You do not have to consent to an interview.
• You do not have to let ICE search your car unless they have a valid warrant from a judge, or probable cause.

Knowing who you’re dealing with helps you respond correctly. Local police and ICE operate under different rules, and the rights you can assert depend on which agency is stopping you. ICE cannot search your vehicle without consent, a judge-signed warrant, or probable cause, while local officers may be acting under state or traffic laws. When you confirm the agency up front, you avoid guessing and you protect yourself from being pressured into answering questions or allowing a search you are not legally required to agree to.

4. Vehicle Searches, Detention, and Your Rights

If ICE tries to search your car or detain you:

• If they do not have a warrant signed by a judge, you may say you do not consent to a search. If ICE agents choose to search anyway, don’t try to block them or physically interfere. Staying calm and repeating that you do not consent to the search is enough to protect your rights.
• You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney.
• Do not sign documents you do not understand. Some forms may waive your right to appear before a judge.

You can request to speak with a lawyer before signing anything.

5. After the Encounter: Document Everything

When the encounter ends, take time to document what happened:

• Write down the date, time, location, badge numbers of ICE agents if you can, and anything said by anyone involved.
• Contact your emergency contacts and tell someone what happened immediately.
• Keep important documents in a secure place.

If you believe your rights were violated, consult an attorney or a trusted legal nonprofit. ICE agents should be held accountable in the event of a violation.

What Happens When Officers Act Outside Their Authority

As we’ve seen in the news recently, ICE agents do not always follow proper procedures, and encounters can involve pressure, intimidation, or statements that sound like legal commands but are not. They may imply that you must answer questions, allow a search, or sign paperwork on the spot. They may also show administrative ICE warrants, which are not the same as judicial warrants signed by a judge. Even if an agent behaves in a way that feels aggressive or inappropriate, your rights do not disappear. You can continue to assert your right to remain silent, your right to refuse consent to a search without a judicial warrant, and your right to speak with an attorney before signing anything. If something feels off, focus on staying calm and sticking to those rights.

If you’re pulled over by ICE, the way you respond matters. Staying as calm as possible, understanding your rights, preparing ahead of time, and limiting conversation with agents can protect you and your family. Anyone who may face immigration enforcement should speak with a qualified immigration attorney to build a personalized safety plan.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Being stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can feel overwhelming and scary. Whether you’re driving, parked, or on foot, understanding your rights before an encounter gives you a real advantage. With recent reports of increased enforcement and historically high detention numbers, knowing your rights is more important than ever. The steps below follow guidance from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. It’s best to consult with an immigration attorney for immigration cases.

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for family, food, football, and, for many of us, celebrating with a few drinks. It’s a favorite holiday for many, but it also consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous times on the road. We’re talking about impaired driving. It’s a serious topic, and it’s entirely preventable.

The reality is that whether you’re going across state lines or just across town, the roads are more crowded, and the risk is higher. By making a simple plan now, before you even open that bottle of wine or grab a beer, you can ensure your holiday is memorable for the right reasons.

The Plan Starts Before the Party

Safety on Thanksgiving weekend is not a matter of luck; it is a matter of preparation. If you know you will be consuming alcohol, the decision about how you will get home needs to be made before you leave the house.

Relying on a last-second decision is a huge gamble, especially when your judgment is already compromised while drinking. Do not leave your safety to chance.

Here are a few concrete steps you can take to plan ahead:

• Designate a Driver: This is the easiest and best option. Agree with a friend or family member that they will stay sober and drive. Make it a real commitment before the party starts.
• Use Ride-Sharing or Taxi Services: Download the apps and check local availability and estimated fares now. Budgeting for a ride home is far cheaper than the cost of a DUI, medical bills, or, worst of all, a life.
• Arrange to Stay Over: If you are visiting a host who is happy to put you up for the night, take advantage of it. Bring an overnight bag and commit to sleeping on the couch rather than driving home late.
• Leave Your Keys: If you arrive with a host, hand your car keys to them. Ask them to hold the keys until you are sober and ready to leave the next morning. It’s simple, and it works.

The Morning After is Still a Risk

Another crucial point that is often forgotten is the morning after. Many people who feel fine still have enough alcohol in their system to be legally impaired. Furthermore, driving drowsy after a late night is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

If you had a lot to drink on Thursday night, avoid driving on Friday morning. Give your body the time it needs to fully recover. Remember, the only thing that sobers you up is time. Drinking coffee does not work, and neither does a cold shower.

This Thanksgiving, let’s all agree to be responsible and look out for one another.

Wishing safe travels and a happy holiday to you and your loved ones!

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for family, food, football, and, for many of us, celebrating with a few drinks. It’s a favorite holiday for many, but it also consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous times on the road. We’re talking about impaired driving. It’s a serious topic, and it’s entirely preventable.

This week, November 17-21, is Crash Responder Safety Week, and it’s a vital time to get serious about roadway safety. Every single day, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck operators, and Department of Transportation personnel are out on our highways and roads. They are working mere feet away from speeding traffic, trying to help people in crisis. They direct traffic, administer aid, and do the difficult work required to clear a crash scene and get the roadway open again.

The greatest threat they face while on the job isn’t usually from the original incident. It’s the failure of passing drivers to be alert, to slow down, and to move over. This preventable mistake tragically results in responders being hit, injured, or killed every single year.

The Law Is Not a Suggestion

Think about your last drive: when you see those flashing blue, red, and yellow lights ahead, what is your first reaction? You're expected to slow down and, if possible, move away from the stopped vehicle. Drivers who are distracted or moving too fast turn a routine emergency scene into a sudden, chaotic danger zone.

This is why the "Move Over" law is so crucial. It is the law in every state, and it is built on a foundation of basic respect for human life.

While the details of the law vary state by state, the general idea is the same. When you see any stationary emergency or service vehicle with flashing lights, you must take two immediate actions:

• Move Over: If you are on a multi-lane road, you are required to safely move out of the lane that is closest to the responders. You must create a full lane of buffer space. That is their workplace, and it is a dangerous one.
• Slow Down: If you cannot safely change lanes, you are legally obligated to slow down significantly as you pass the scene.

What’s a few extra seconds on your trip compared to a person’s life?

Your Responsibility

Crash Responder Safety Week is an important time to reinforce this message, but this commitment to safety must extend to every day, every drive.

It takes only a moment of awareness to see the lights, reduce your speed, and safely move over. Do it for the EMT, the police officer, or the tow operator who just wants to make it home to their family at the end of their shift. Let’s make sure that when a first responder answers a call, they are protected by every driver who passes by.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

This week, November 17-21, is Crash Responder Safety Week, and it’s a vital time to get serious about roadway safety. Every single day, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck operators, and Department of Transportation personnel are out on our highways and roads. They are working mere feet away from speeding traffic, trying to help people in crisis. They direct traffic, administer aid, and do the difficult work required to clear a crash scene and get the roadway open again.

Every November 14th, National Seat Belt Day reminds drivers and passengers to take the simplest, most effective step to protect themselves: buckle up. Seat belts have been proven to save lives in collisions of all kinds, yet some people still believe they aren’t necessary for short drives or low-speed trips around town.

The truth is, most collisions happen close to home and at speeds that don’t necessarily seem dangerous. That’s why this National Seat Belt Day, we’re breaking down some of the most common myths about seat belt use and sharing the facts that prove why buckling up should never be optional.

Myth 1: "If I’m only going a short distance or at low speed, I don’t need my seat belt."

Fact: Driving just a few miles or at modest speeds doesn’t eliminate danger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many fatal crashes happen within 25 miles of home and at speeds under 40 mph. Even a slow-speed collision can create enough force to cause serious injury if you’re unrestrained. Wearing your seat belt every time, regardless of distance or speed, remains the safest choice.

Myth 2: "Seat belts aren’t necessary at low speed because the impact will be minor."

Fact: The energy in a collision depends not only on speed but also on how quickly your vehicle stops. Your body, if unrestrained, keeps moving and can strike the steering wheel, dashboard, or window with significant force. Even in low-speed collisions, your risk of injury increases without a seat belt. A minor collision can still result in major injury if you’re not buckled.

Myth 3: "My car has airbags, so I don’t need to bother with the seat belt."

Fact: Airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. Without a seat belt, you can be thrown forward or out of position when an airbag deploys, increasing the risk of injury.

Myth 4: "Wearing a seat belt might trap me in a crash or fire."

Fact: The fear of being trapped is a common misconception. Crashes involving fire or water are extremely rare. The greater danger is being unrestrained, which increases your chance of being knocked unconscious or ejected from the vehicle. In nearly every scenario, wearing a seat belt improves your odds of escaping safely.

Myth 5: "Seat belts are only necessary in the front seat."

Fact: Every occupant, front and back, should buckle up every trip. Unrestrained back-seat passengers can become projectiles during a collision, injuring themselves and others. Buckling up keeps everyone safer.

Putting on your seat belt takes just seconds, but it can change the outcome of a collision. According to the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts, using lap and shoulder belts in the front seat reduces the risk of death by 45 percent and serious injury by 50 percent.

Whether you’re driving across town, picking up groceries, or heading to a friend’s house, make buckling up the first thing you do. Low-speed or short trips still carry real risk. Stay smart, stay safe, and always wear your seat belt.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Every November 14th, National Seat Belt Day reminds drivers and passengers to take the simplest, most effective step to protect themselves: buckle up. Seat belts have been proven to save lives in collisions of all kinds, yet some people still believe they aren’t necessary for short drives or low-speed trips around town.