Participating in Demonstrations

Rights When Participating in Demonstrations

Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Participation in Protests (NILC) — PDFs:  Arabic | ChineseHaitian Creole | KoreanSpanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese | — Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, face additional risks from any encounter with law enforcement, because any police interaction, even if it doesn’t result in a criminal charge or arrest, could lead to deportation. This know-your-rights resource provides immigrants and their allies with accurate information so that immigrants can know their rights, understand the possible risks of participating in protests, and feel empowered to participate meaningfully, safely, and fully in our democracy.

Immigrants’ Participation in Protests: What Every Worker Should Know (NILC). Before they decide whether to participate in workers’ rights demonstrations, workers need to know that if they do participate, they could suffer adverse employment-related consequences. It is important for every worker to know their rights and understand the possible consequences of participating in demonstrations.

La participación de los inmigrantes en las protestas: Lo que todo trabajador debe saber (NILC). Antes de que decidan si van a participar en manifestaciones por los derechos de los trabajadores, los trabajadores deben saber que si participan, podrían sufrir consecuencias adversas relacionadas con su empleo. Es importante que cada trabajador conozca sus derechos y entienda las posibles consecuencias de participar en las manifestaciones.


For UndocuLeaders Participating in Protest (United We Dream). Even if the media claims immigration agencies won’t be making arrests, immigration enforcement officers have been deployed to demonstrations. We know that ANY interactions with any law enforcement agency can lead to detention/deportation. It is imperative that, if you attend, you show up with a plan and be grounded in solidarity.


8 Ways to Prepare if Traveling to Washington, DC, for Marches or Actions (National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild). We anticipate that more and more noncitizens may want to engage in political protest in Washington, DC. The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild supports the political rights of noncitizens and believes it is critical to prepare appropriately if you plan to visit Washington, DC, by plane, car, bus or train.


Immigrant Marches / Marchas de los Inmigrantes (ACLU). These ACLU publications provide guidance in several languages for many situations. The brochures apprise you of your legal rights, recommend how to preserve those rights, and provide guidance on how to interact with officials. See, especially, “Los Derechos de los Manifestantes” (ACLU of Florida).