Know Your Rights & Community Defense Resources
YUSRA is committed to ensuring our communities are informed, prepared, and supported in moments of uncertainty and heightened attacks, targeting, and surveillance against our communities. This page brings together Know Your Rights (KYR) resources, printable materials for community spaces, and opportunities to learn and act together.
Know Your Rights (KYR)
Everyone, regardless of immigration status, has rights under the U.S. Constitution. Knowing your rights can help protect you, your family, and your community.
Key reminders:
You have the right to remain silent.
You do not have to open the door unless officers have a valid, signed judicial warrant.
You have the right to speak to a lawyer.
You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
KYR Pass (Digital Wallet)
Carry your rights with you at all times.
Download the KYR Pass and save it directly to your digital wallet
Use it to clearly and calmly assert your rights during encounters with law enforcement or federal agents.
Note: You can add the KYR Pass in multiple languages to the same device. Download additional languages to support and share information with the communities you serve and interact with.
Printable KYR Poster
Help spread accurate information in community spaces.
Clear, easy-to-read Know Your Rights information
Designed for masajid, community centers, and small businesses
“Private Area” Signs for Masajid & Community Spaces
Federal agents, including ICE, cannot enter private areas without a valid judicial warrant.
Public vs. Private space
Generally, a public area is one where the general public (patrons, etc.) can come in.
A private area is one that the general public cannot access. For example, think of an office that is marked "employees only" and is separated from public areas by a door.
These printable signs:
Clearly designate spaces as private
Help protect congregants and community members
Support masajid and organizations in setting boundaries consistent with the law
Legal Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Policies may change. For personal guidance, please speak with a licensed immigration attorney.
Upcoming Trainings & Solidarity Events
YUSRA hosts trainings and community spaces to build collective readiness and care.
These include:
Safety planning and rapid response education
Solidarity events and information sessions
View upcoming trainings and events below by YUSRA or other community organizations.
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3pm-5pm EST
Join us for a community-wide virtual gathering designed to ground us in what’s happening, hear directly from trusted speakers, and prepare ourselves to respond effectively and safely.
This gathering is meant to bring our communities onto the same page, build shared understanding, and equip attendees with the tools needed to protect and support Somali families with dignity and unity.
Friday, Dec. 19 at 3pm-4:30pm EST
This training will share important skills for documenting ICE activity and supporting neighbors in your community.
ICE Watch is a key strategy being used by groups across the country to protect their communities against aggressive activity by ICE agents.
Practicing ICE Watch protects our neighborhoods from immigration enforcement by ensuring our community members know their rights, have a plan, and know how to act in the event of targeting by ICE.
In addition to covering the basics of ICE Watch, we will discuss new analysis on ICE operations and safety guidance.
Saturday, Dec. 20 at 4pm-6pm EST
ICE agents are flooding into the city in an all-out blitz against our immigrant neighbors and coworkers. This follows Trump's disgusting address last night where he attacked our immigrant community, and our Somali neighbors.
Join us for a mass meeting to share Know Your Rights materials, hear an urgent political orientation, and discuss the next steps for our fight to kick ICE out of Columbus!