A Practical Guide for New African Immigrants in the United States
For many new African immigrants, the United States can feel both exhilarating and bewildering. Contrary to the belief back home in the motherland, rent must be paid monthly, and dollar bills do not grow on trees. In America, opportunity sits alongside complexity and the need to prove one’s place in a country built largely by immigrants but often ambivalent about them. American life requires hard work, resilience and adaptability.
For newcomers—from Lagos to Accra, Nairobi to Somali— One institution that generating anxiety is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE. One question that often arises quietly in living rooms and WhatsApp groups is: How do you stay out of ICE trouble? The answer lies partly in law, partly in preparation, and partly in simple common sense.
- Know Your Papers
The first rule of life in America’s immigration system is deceptively simple: know your documents. To be sure, If you are a permanent resident, federal law requires you to carry your Permanent Resident Card, which is commonly called a green card. If you are in the country on a work permit or visa, it is wise to carry proof of that status as well. Immigration lawyers recommend keeping copies of documents in a safe place and sharing them with a trusted person in case of emergencies. Just as important is what not to carry. Immigration advocates warn against carrying false documents or papers that misrepresent your identity or nationality. Such documents can get you in trouble faster than it takes to spell ice. Bottomline if your documents are legitimate, keep them close. If they are not, keep them far away.
- The Right to Stay Calm—and Silent
American is the greatest country in the world. Here’s one reason why: US law grants certain rights to everyone in the country, regardless of immigration status. One of these, is the right to remain silent during questioning by immigration officers. Do not be confrontational or talk loudly, in an attempt to proof that you are this and, the third. Be calm, don’t argue, and keep your hands visible if challenged by an enforcement officer. Running or resisting can make a routine encounter far more serious. Attorneys advise that a simple phrase— “I would like to speak to a lawyer”—is often the most powerful sentence an immigrant can use.
- There’s no African Time in Legal Matters
Sometimes the most practical advice has little to do with legal theory but with compliance with the culture. Unlike in most African nations where folks can drive like Speedy Gonzalez, just because the highway roads are wide and free, the opposite is true in America. The advice to new immigrants is as follows: Obey speed limits; avoid driving without a valid license; pay attention to court dates and immigration appointments and arrive promptly. You cannot show up late for court. Keep copies of tax records, leases, and bills— and documents that help establish your life in the United States. In short, being able to adapt to these simple acts of compliance can help create a paper trail of
From Brooklyn NY to Baltimore, MD and from Columbus, OH to St Paul, MN, the fear of ICE seems to have emerged as the beginning of wisdom. It’s a palpable fear too, and some folks are no longer smiling. Although most immigrants never encounter ICE directly, fact remains that understanding how enforcement works—and keeping documents in order and using common sense—can significantly reduce risk and anxiety.
- This article is not and should not be taken as legal counsel.