Immigrant and Refugee Research and Resources Guide

Tacoma Community College Administrative Policy: Keep Washington Working Act Compliance

Keep Washington Working Act

Your Safety and Rights Are Prioritized

  1. TCC prohibits participation in or assistance with immigration enforcement on campus. This includes school facilities, adjacent areas, and parking lots.
  2. Immigration enforcement agents must follow strict protocols, including presenting valid court orders, to access restricted areas of campus or student information. This is handled through our Campus Safety Office.

-- from the Keep Washington Working Act (ADSV-652-P), TCC

Washington State Courts' General Rule 24

Washington State Courts' General Rule 24

Washington State Courts' General Rule 24, provides a legal definition for Practice of Law, including defining what constitutes legal advice. The following is an Exception Clause. This is an important clause to know about if you are questioned about providing general information about law or rights under the U.S. Constitution to members of the public.

(d) General Information: Nothing in this rule shall affect the ability of a person or entity to provide information of a general nature about the law and legal procedures to members of the public.

Understanding Our Rights

Essential rights

Essential Rights

Everyone - both documented and undocumented persons - have rights in the United States

Understanding our rights when approached by law enforcement is essential for everyone to know. 

  • You have the right to remain silent. You can refuse to speak to an officer. You have the right to remain silent until you talk to a lawyer.
  • You have the right to demand a warrant before letting anyone into your home.
  • You have the right to talk to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
  • You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
  • You have the right to refuse to show any documents before you talk to a lawyer.

Tell members of your household, including children, and neighbors, and co-workers about their rights. Learn more below.

Featured sources

Relevant US Constitution Amendments

Visit Constitution Annotated to learn more about the U.S. Constitution in plain English.

Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas

Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s Red Cards help people self-advocate and assert and remind others of their rights in situations when approached by law enforcement, including ICE agents.

The link below directs you to these cards for do-it-yourself printing.

The English side of every Red Card could be used to communicate with law enforcement:

  • I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.
  • I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door.
  • I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.
  • I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.
  • These cards are available to citizens and noncitizens alike.

CC BY SA license

Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.

Tacoma Community College Library - Building 7, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466 - P. 253.566.5087

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