How to put I.C.E. on ice
Memorize the mnemonic T.H.E.M.A.T.R.I.X. so you always know how to deal with cops, ICE, the DEA, the FBI, and pushy Security Guards at MSG.
Jason "Jay" Browne
9/2/202510 min read
I saw it while doom scrolling reddit
as I waited for my Oat Milk Cortado at the Devocion on Livingston (which I suggest for the flora and fauna, as much as the coffee). Yet another family ripped apart by ICE. This time a 6-year old girl and her mother were stolen from Queens and shipped off to a detention center in Texas. My first thought, and I'm not proud of this, was about me. What would I do if I was in that situation? Does it make me a bad person to immediately think about myself? No, it just makes me a human.
I'm sure you've all been through the thought process. Everything gets cinematic. First you think, “I'd start with Trinity’s Flying Crane Kick, followed by Neo’s slo-mo bullet time i-know-kung-fu stuff”, but then you're like, “Wait a tick, I'm a lawyer not a fighter”. Even if you’re not a lawyer there’s a 99% chance you’re not a fighter.
I love action movies and lately my favorite ones are tiktoks of people standing up to these government geeks. You can see these incel’s faces droop, even behind the masks, as soon as they sense they’re talking to someone with confidence and knowledge. They are so used to people panicking, that when someone doesn’t they turn into the two agents watching Neo consume Agent Smith from the inside.
My colon when a barista gives me regular milk
I’m sort of taking on the role of Morpheus for this blog so read everything in Lawrence Fishburne’s voice. Bruce Lee said “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” You don’t need to know every kick to fight, and you don’t need to know every law to protect yourself. I’m going to teach you the meaning of 4 constitutional amendments. You don’t need to know Kung Fu, you just need to know the rules that govern everyone on U.S. soil, know the common tactics used against you, and be prepared with clear, actionable strategies. Did you read that in his voice? It’s really good. Ok, sorry. Let’s get to it.
Neo: “What are you trying to tell me that I can beat up ICE?"
Morpheus:"No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready, you won't have to"
Your constitutional trinity
Let’s unplug from the most dangerous program running in the background: the idea that constitutional rights only protect citizens. It’s a lie that disarms people before the fight even starts. It’s a glitch in the system that the system counts on you not noticing. Here it is.
The Fourteenth Amendment: Your Right to Due Process: grants anyone on US soil the protection of the "due process of law," and prevents states from denying anyone equal protection under the laws.
Just like Neo, the 14th Amendment is backed up by a Trinity (of other amendments). Just remember that in the US Law 4+5+6 = 14 (don’t try that in Math class, kids) because without the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments the 14th amendment wouldn’t mean anything.
The Fourth Amendment: Your Right to Your Own Space. This is what stops the government from searching you, your home, or your stuff just because they feel like it. To get into your most private space—your home—they need a specific key: a warrant signed by a judge.
The Fifth Amendment: Your Right to Shut Up. This is your most powerful tool. It means you cannot be forced to say anything that could be used against you. It’s the foundation of your right to remain silent.
The Sixth Amendment: Your Right to a Lawyer. This guarantees you a lawyer in a criminal case. Immigration is technically civil, and that difference is a nasty piece of business we'll get into. But the principle of having a right to get a lawyer's advice is universal. You cannot access a free lawyer from the government in immigration court, so I’ve included resources below that can get you people who will help you.
The moment i realized i wanted a hot goth girlfriend.
The amendments are very specific with their language. The 14th says "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." It doesn’t say "No citizen." It was written that way intentionally, it’s not a mistake, it’s not a typo!
It's not a typo
It’s the bedrock of the whole system. If you are physically here, on U.S. soil, you are a "person" under the law. It doesn't matter if you were born in the Matrix or in Zion. You are shielded from a government that is trying to FAFO.
Memorize: T.H.E.M.A.T.R.I.X.
T - They lie: Agents can and will mislead you to get you to comply. They'll say things like, "If you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't have a problem letting us in." or That's a lie designed to get you to waive your rights. Trust the Constitution, not the reject mall cop.
His tinder profile says he's GGG, buuuut
H - HODOR (Hold the Door): Doors are firewalls, they only open for the password. Do not open them. Not even a crack. They want to talk? You can talk through the door. Opening the door will be interpreted as giving them consent to enter. This is the single most important rule. The only password is a judicial warrant.
E - Examine the Warrant. If they claim to have a warrant, make them to slide it under the door. Is it a real judicial warrant signed by a judge, or is it a fake administrative warrant from ICE? More info below.
M - Maintain Your Silence: The Fifth Amendment is your ultimate defense. Don't give the system any data it can use against you. State clearly, "I am exercising my right to remain silent." Then stop talking.
Image of me talking to ice
A - Ask "Am I Free to Leave?": This is you offering the agent the red pill/blue pill choice on the street. It forces them to define the reality of the situation. If they say yes, you walk away calmly and silently.
T - Talk to a Lawyer: Don't make any decisions, answer any questions, or sign any documents until you've called your "operator." Repeat like a mantra: "I wish to speak with a lawyer."
R - Refuse All Searches. They will ask for your permission to search your person, your car, or your home. The answer is always a clear and firm, "I do not consent to a search."
I - Invoke Your Rights Verbally. Your rights aren't passive. They don't work if you just think them. You have to speak the words to make them work. "I am remaining silent." "I do not consent." “Am I fucking free to leave?” You have to say the words out loud.
X - Xcuse yourself from signing their documents: Agents might try to get you to sign a "voluntary departure" form, which is you signing away your right to a hearing. Refuse. Don't sign their user agreement.
Your daily reminder that will smith turned down the matrix for wild wild west
De-Escalate
Again, your life probably isn't an action movie. I’m telling you to know your rights and be confident, but I also want you to do anything you can to calm things down, so:
Remain calm and avoid sudden movements.
Keep your hands visible.
Use a calm, even, and respectful tone of voice, even while asserting rights.
Perform active listening by repeating back a paraphrased version of their commands to show you understand what they’re saying.
Maybe I was wrong to tell you to say “Am I fucking free to leave?” earlier.
De-escalation is not about surrendering rights, it’s about controlling the interaction to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Here's de-escalate used in a sentence: The Matrix 2 decided to de-escalate my interest by adding twin balding albino ghost rastafarians.
Create a plan for your loved ones:
I’m not much of a planner in my personal life, but trust me on this one! You need one to protect those closest to you!
Childcare: Designate a trusted adult to care for children and ensure they are legally authorized to pick them up from school.
Document Organization: Keep important documents (birth certificates, immigration papers, etc.) in a safe, accessible place and to give copies to a trusted person.
Emergency Contacts: Stress the importance of memorizing the phone numbers of family and an immigration lawyer, as cell phones will be confiscated upon arrest.
Examining the warrant:
An administrative warrant does not give them the right to enter your home, but a judicial warrant does.
A judicial warrant will be issued by a court (e.g., "U.S. District Court") and must be signed by a judge.
An administrative warrant is an internal agency form from the "Department of Homeland Security" or "ICE" (like Form I-200 or I-205) and is signed by an immigration officer, not a judge. This type of warrant does not, on its own, allow agents to enter a home.
The Document Dilemma:
This is a tough one, where the law and legal strategy clash. It’s something you’ll want to talk to an immigration lawyer about.
The Law: Federal law says non-citizens over 18 must carry their immigration papers.
The Strategy: Advocacy groups often advise against carrying papers from another country (like a foreign passport) because they can be used as the primary evidence to deport you.
This is a "catch-22." Following the law might mean handing them the evidence they need. Not following it is a separate, minor violation. This is a personal risk assessment. There is no single right answer.
In conclusion
The best way to fight is to know the law and I don’t know that kind of law. Now, my team can help you with most matters from landlord tenant to consumer credit issues to uncontested divorces to traffic tickets. If you need a free consult please fill out the correct intake form at https://attorneyjaybrowne.com/intake-forms or text us at 347-669-3256. If it’s about dealing with I.C.E. you need an attorney that specializes in that. Here are some websites I found that might help you in your journey of finding the right one:
Helpful Websites in NYC for Immigrants
The Immigration Advocates Network allows you to search by state and county for volunteers to help you
Immigrant Defense Project (IDP): Offers "Know Your Rights" materials, raid information, and the ICEwatch map to track ICE activity.
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI): Provides downloadable "Red Cards" to assert your rights and guides on what to do if ICE comes to your door.
NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA): A central hub for city-backed resources, including "Know Your Rights" info and access to the ActionNYC legal hotline by calling 311.
Informed Immigrant: Provides guides and resources for the immigrant community, including DACA renewals and how to prepare for enforcement actions.
Pro-Bono Legal Assistance in NYC ⚖️
These organizations offer free legal representation and consultation for immigration cases, including deportation defense.
The Legal Aid Society: The largest provider of legal aid in the nation, its Immigration Law Unit offers representation in a wide range of immigration matters.
Brooklyn Defender Services: Provides legal representation to immigrants in Brooklyn who are facing deportation.
The Bronx Defenders: Offers holistic defense services that include free immigration legal support for residents of the Bronx.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYLAG's Immigrant Protection Unit offers comprehensive legal services to low-income immigrants.
Unlocal: A non-profit organization that provides free, direct immigration legal representation to undocumented immigrants.
University Law Clinics for Immigration Aid 🎓
Many of New York City's top law schools operate legal clinics where students, supervised by experienced attorneys, provide free legal services to the community. These clinics are an excellent resource for high-quality, pro-bono representation.
Brooklyn Law School - Safe Harbor Clinic: The clinic represents asylum seekers and other immigrants who have been victims of persecution and human trafficking.
Cardozo School of Law - Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic: This clinic at Yeshiva University represents immigrants in a variety of legal proceedings, including deportation defense and appeals.
Columbia Law School - Immigrants' Rights Clinic: The clinic engages in direct legal representation of immigrants and immigrant organizations, handling cases related to deportation defense, asylum, and other immigration issues.
CUNY School of Law - Immigrant and Non-Citizen Rights Clinic: As part of its mission for law in the service of human needs, the CUNY clinic provides legal services to individuals and advocates for systemic change in immigration law.
NYU School of Law - Immigrant Rights Clinic: This clinic at New York University School of Law is one of the leading institutions in the country for litigation and advocacy on behalf of immigrants, representing individuals and challenging unjust policies.
St. John's University School of Law - Refugee and Immigrant Rights Litigation Clinic: Students in this clinic represent individuals seeking asylum and other forms of humanitarian relief in the United States.
This is not legal advice and nothing in this blog should be considered a substitute for legal advice or as a consult from a professional and qualified attorney. This blog is informational purposes only.