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United States
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Police & Everyday Law
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You & the Police
You & the Police
Constitutional rights apply to everyone on US soil — citizens and noncitizens alike.
Stopped by the police — what you must do and what you may refuse
Constitutional protections apply to everyone physically in the US, whatever their status. The two you'll actually use: the right to remain silent and the right to refuse a search.
What ID the law requires you to carry
US law requires noncitizens aged 18+ to carry their immigration documents. In practice that means carrying proof of status — while keeping the originals you can't afford to lose somewhere safe.
Arrested in the US — the rights that kick in immediately
An arrest is not a conviction. You have the right to a lawyer — a free public defender if you can't pay — and as a foreign national, the right to have your consulate notified.