Knock Knock...Winter is Coming
- Morgan Hunter
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Winter is here, and in Minneapolis the ICE hazards are real. Before you answer your door, know your rights!
This blog is a practical “doorstep script” you can read calmly if ICE or any law enforcement agent shows up at your home. You’ll find two versions: one general script that works anywhere in the U.S., and one tuned to Minnesota-specific guidance, including the difference between a judge-signed warrant and ICE paperwork that looks official but isn’t a court warrant. (Minnesota Attorney General)
You’ll also see Minnesota legal help numbers here and at the end, because “I read a blog once” is not the same thing as having counsel.
Minnesota legal help (keep these handy):
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) intake: 1-800-223-1368. (ILCM)
If someone is in ICE detention, ILCM detention line: 651-641-1011 (hours vary). (LawHelp Minnesota)
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Immigration Law Project: (612) 332-1441. (Immigration Advocates Network)
LawHelpMN / Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid phone intake (general): 1-877-696-6529. (Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid)
General door script you can read to ICE or any federal agent
Keep the door closed. Speak through the door.
“Hello. I’m not opening the door. Are you ICE or law enforcement? Please identify yourself and show your badge/ID through the window.
I do not consent to your entry or to any search of my home or property.If you claim you have a warrant, slide it under the door or hold it up to the window so I can read it.
Unless you have a judicial warrant signed by a judge that lists this address, you must leave. Administrative ICE/DHS warrants do not give permission to enter my home without my consent. (NILC)
I am exercising my right to remain silent. I will not answer questions or provide information without a lawyer present. I want to speak to an attorney now. Please give me your name, badge number, and a contact number, and leave. If you do not leave, I will continue to remain silent.”
If they slide a paper “warrant” under the door: what you’re checking for
Without opening the door, look for these basics:
A real warrant for home entry should be a judicial warrant signed by a judge/court and should list your address (and usually what they’re authorized to search for). (American Civil Liberties Union)
Common ICE forms (like I-200/I-205) are administrative warrants from DHS/ICE and are not the same thing as a judge-signed warrant for entering your home. (American Civil Liberties Union)
If it’s not judge-signed (or it doesn’t list your correct address), repeat: “I do not consent to entry. Please leave.” (NILC)
If they enter anyway...
“I do not consent to your presence or to any search. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want an attorney. I will not answer questions.” Then stop talking. Don’t physically interfere. (Your job is to preserve your rights, not win a wrestling match.) (American Civil Liberties Union)
Two practical add-ons that help
One-sentence “no consent” you can repeat on a loop, “I do not consent to entry or search. I want a lawyer. I’m remaining silent.” (NILC)
Put this note by the door for you (and anyone else in the home): “Do not open the door for ICE. Ask for a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Ask them to slide it under the door. Say: ‘I do not consent.’ Say: ‘I want a lawyer.’” (American Civil Liberties Union)
Minnesota door script for ICE or any federal agent
Keep the door closed. Speak through it.
“Hi. I’m not opening the door.
Please identify yourself and show your badge/ID through the window.
I do not consent to your entry or to any search of my home, my property, or my belongings.
If you say you have a warrant, slide it under the door or hold it up to the window (or ring camera) so I can read it. I will not open the door to review it.
Unless you have a court-issued warrant signed by a U.S. district court or state court judge that lists this address and specifically authorizes entry, you must leave. ICE ‘administrative warrants’ are not court warrants and do not authorize entry into private areas without permission. (Minnesota Attorney General's Office)
I am exercising my right to remain silent. I will not answer questions or sign anything without my lawyer.
I want to speak to an attorney now. Please leave your name, badge number, and contact information and leave.”
If they keep talking: “I’m remaining silent. I want a lawyer. I do not consent to entry or search.” (Repeat until bored. They’ll get there first.)
What to look for if they show you a “warrant” (without opening the door)
A court-issued (judicial) warrant, per Minnesota AG guidance, should be signed by a judge, describe the location/person/items, and be a real court document (look for “court” and a judge’s title/signature). (Minnesota Attorney General's Office)
ICE paperwork often says “Department of Homeland Security / Immigration and Customs Enforcement” and may reference forms like I-200 or I-205 — that’s administrative, not a judge-signed court warrant for entry. (Minnesota Attorney General's Office)
If it’s not judge-signed (or doesn’t list your address), say: “I do not consent. Please leave.” (Minnesota Attorney General's Office)
Two Minnesota-specific add-ons
Recording: Minnesota is a one-party consent state for recording conversations, meaning you can generally record your own interaction at the door without telling them. (MN Revisor's Office)Don’t interfere physically. Just record and repeat the script.
Also: Don’t lie or hand them fake info. Providing false information can create real legal trouble. (Minnesota Attorney General's Office)
Minnesota legal help numbers to keep handy
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) intake: 1-800-223-1368. (ILCM)
If someone is in ICE detention, ILCM detention line: 651-641-1011 (hours vary). (LawHelp Minnesota)
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Immigration Law Project: (612) 332-1441. (Immigration Advocates Network)
LawHelpMN / Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid phone intake (general): 1-877-696-6529. (Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid)
Conclusion
These scripts are meant to help you stay calm, say the right words, and avoid accidentally consenting to something you didn’t mean to consent to — but they’re not magic spells, and they’re not legal advice. Laws and local practices can vary by state (and sometimes by city), especially around warrants, access to shared spaces in buildings, and recording rules. Start here, then take five minutes to verify your local laws and save contact info for qualified legal help where you live. Minnesota’s Attorney General has a solid “know your rights” overview that’s a good baseline. (Minnesota Attorney General)
This video has adult language. If that offends you, you may be in the wrong place. Enjoy!
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