Know Your Rights

The following are "Know Your Rights" handouts from non-Emory entities. These handouts are shared for general informational purposes only. For specific questions or cases, we recommend consulting an immigration attorney.

• Know Your Rights (by AILA: American Immigration Lawyers Association)
• Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration (by National Immigration Law Center)
• Know Your Rights: Immigrants' Rights (by ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union)
• Know Your Rights: 100 Mile Border Zone (by ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union) 

International students and scholars may wonder whether they are allowed to participate in a protest at Emory or at a location off campus.

Emory’s Respect for Open Expression Policy affirms the rights of community members to assemble and demonstrate peaceably while providing limits to activities that disrupt university operations or impede the rights of others. Because some activities, including protest and dissent, often create tension between groups and individuals, it is important for students and scholars to understand what is and is not permitted under the policy. Please read about the policy here. 

The US has a long history and tradition of protesting and speaking out in public against injustices and political grievances. It is a very individual decision whether to participate in protest activity and we cannot provide specific advice regarding participation. In general, we can share that participating in peaceful protest would not impact one's status as an international student or scholar at Emory. Concern arises when there are allegations of activities that violate criminal laws (ordinances or statutes) or university conduct policies during a protest, and that might be an unpredictable aspect of one's decision to participate. However, generally, we would suggest that if a law enforcement official gives any instruction to end activities or leave the area, international students or scholars should comply with those instructions. It is our aim to keep international students and scholars safe during their time at Emory.

An arrest, even if criminal or civil charges are not filed or are dismissed, or a conduct code violation, could impact an international student’s or scholar’s future interaction with US immigration officials, and could negatively impact their immigration status and ability to enter or remain in the US. If a student/scholar would like more in-depth information, we recommend that they consult an immigration attorney. If an Emory international student/scholar were to be arrested, ISSS remains a resource for them for support and may be able to connect with others who could provide legal representation. Under the US legal system, individuals can obtain their own private counsel for any criminal case and for any related immigration issues. Alternatively, one may be able to request a public defender through the court system to handle their criminal defense, but they should still retain an immigration attorney as criminal attorneys are not always knowledgeable of immediate and long-term immigration implications.

International students and scholars need to remember their purpose for being in the US under their particular immigration status. They can find the maintenance of status information on our website (for international students and international scholars). Adhering to University rules and codes of conduct is also a part of maintaining status.

Additional Support Resources:

Emory offers a comprehensive range of supportive services and resources that are available to every member of the university community.

ISSS appreciates helpful input from several offices on campus in putting this webpage together.