How To Get Someone Deported Anonymously

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If you have information about someone who is a citizen of another country and is in the United States illegally, you may want to report them – especially if they are engaging in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, or terrorism. However, you may not want your own identity to be revealed, particularly if you fear for your own safety. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as other law enforcement agencies, allow you to report illegal immigrants anonymously online or over the phone.^[1] ^[2]

1
Get as much information as you safely can. Without any sort of concrete evidence pointing to the fact that the person you're reporting is in the country illegally, it's doubtful ICE will investigate the person.^[3] ^[4]
- At a minimum, you need names and locations of the people you want to report. Otherwise ICE won't have much to go on. Specific names may not be as important if you have a solid location.
- For example, if there's an abandoned house next door that you suspect is being used for human trafficking, take down the address of the house and make close observations of the people coming in and out of the house.
- Take down the dates and times you see people coming and going, along with descriptions of those people. Get license tag numbers if you can.
- You may want to look at ICE's tip form, located on the agency's website, to get an idea of the types of information sought.
- Keep in mind that the more information you're able to provide, the more likely it is that your tip will be useful to authorities.
- However, don't imperil your own safety or that of others to get information. You don't need to play detective, and your tip will be more valuable if the people don't suspect they've been discovered – especially if they are engaged in criminal activities.
2
Establish a private internet connection. Setting up a proxy or virtual private network can allow you to mask your computer's IP address so it can't be traced back to you. Although ICE accepts anonymous tips, you are submitting information to an investigatory agency, so masking your IP address ensures your report can't be connected to you in any way.^[5]
- You also can conceal your identity by using a public computer, such as one at a library, to file your report, or by using your own computer or other electronic device on a public Wi-Fi network.
- Sending your report from another location also may be important if you fear that your home network has been hacked or your online activities are being monitored.
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3
Go to the ICE website. ICE hosts a web form on its website that you can use to submit an anonymous tip. Although the form includes fields for you to enter your name, address, phone number, and email address, these fields are optional.^[6]
- Before you start entering your information, read the opening paragraphs regarding tips and how they're handled carefully and make sure you understand how your information will be used.
- You may want to take this opportunity to rethink making an anonymous report. If you don't provide your name and contact information, you'll have no way to add to your report, and officers will have no way to get in touch with you if they need additional information.
- You cannot attach files to the web form, so if you've taken photos or have any other documents that provide evidence that the people you're reporting are in the country illegally, you have no way of transmitting this information.
- Making a separate email address that can't be traced back to you and entering that as contact information is one way to ensure you can continue to provide information or be available while still remaining anonymous.
4
Complete the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Form. The tip form includes a number of fields that you should fill out as completely as possible, paying attention to the fields that are required and those that are optional.^[7]
- After optional contact information, the form asks you to check any number of boxes next to phrases categorizing suspected criminal violations. Keep in mind that you must check at least one.
- You also must provide information about the violator, including whether the complaint involves a business, an individual, or both.
- Although you still may remain anonymous, you are required to state whether you have submitted the same information to other law enforcement or government agencies.
- If you've already contacted ICE to report the same individuals, you should not submit more than one duplicate tip. Only report about the same individuals if you have additional information that was not included in your original tip.
5
Submit your tip. Read over the information you've provided before you click the "Submit" button to send your tip. You may want to make a digital copy of your report for your own records, although you'll want to be careful to secure any print-outs or the digital file to protect your anonymity.^[8]
- Above the button to submit the tip, there is a warning that providing false information could lead to criminal fines or imprisonment.
- Even though you're submitting your tip anonymously, do so with this warning in mind. Don't provide false information to ICE for the intention of harassing someone if you have no real reason to suspect they're engaged in criminal activity.
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1
Organize the information you want to report. Before you pick up the phone, take a moment to get together the information you have, so you can convey your tip clearly and concisely. The more organized and straightforward you are, the more likely it is that ICE will be able to obtain usable information from your tip.^[9] ^[10]
- You may want to write the facts down before you call so you can communicate them in a logical way. Keep in mind that the more details you have, the more likely it will be that ICE will investigate the matter.
- If all you have to go on are suspicions or gossip that you heard from someone else, you may not be ready to submit a tip. ICE won't investigate unless there is some real, concrete evidence of criminal activity.
2
Avoid using your personal phone. If you truly want to remain anonymous, use a public telephone or a different number that can't be traced back to you. Otherwise, your identity may be revealed by simple caller ID.^[11]
- You might want to look at getting a virtual phone number online, or using an app that will provide you with a virtual number that isn't connected to your personal number.
- Keep in mind that even though the tip line is anonymous, the agency may still be able to collect and gather information such as where you're calling from.
- The extent to which you go to protect your anonymity really depends on the reasons you want to remain anonymous, and from whom you want to remain anonymous.
- If you simply don't want the people you're reporting to know that you reported them, for example, it probably doesn't matter to you that a law enforcement agency could potentially track your call.
- On the other hand, if you're concerned about being implicated in the criminal activity you're reporting, or if you're reporting people who have a close relationship to you (such as extended family members or co-workers), you may want to take additional precautions.
3
Contact the appropriate agency. ICE has a tip line that you can call to report illegal immigrants anonymously. If you're close to a U.S. border, you may want to call the Border Patrol with jurisdiction over your area instead of calling ICE.^[12] ^[13]
- The ICE tip line is toll free, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Call 866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious criminal activity such as drug smuggling, human trafficking, terrorism, or other violations of immigration law.
- If you are outside the U.S., Mexico, or Canada, you can call 802-872-6199.
- If you're calling the ICE tip line, it cannot be to submit a tip that duplicates information you've already submitted online.
- General illegal activity can be reported anonymously to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
- If you want to report kidnapped or exploited children, call 1-800-843-5678 to submit your report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The information you provide will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
4
Provide your information. When you call the number, follow the prompts to leave a message with your tip. The lines are monitored by specialists who will forward your report for further investigation.^[14] ^[15]
- The ICE tip line exists primarily for the benefit of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The HSI force investigates international crimes that threaten national security, such as terrorism, cyber crimes, and drug trafficking.
- While you can report illegal immigrants using the ICE tip line, you may be able to find a better place to submit that tip unless you have reason to believe the individuals you're reporting are engaging in criminal activity.
- Remember to provide as many concrete, factual details as you have so law enforcement officials have something to go on.
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1
Gather information about suspected criminal activity. Just as with anyone else, your state and local law enforcement agencies will take tips on suspected criminal activity committed by illegal immigrants.^[16] ^[17]
- Keep in mind that local police do not have jurisdiction to simply arrest someone for being in the country illegally, because local police departments do not enforce federal immigration laws.
- To file a report with state or local law enforcement, you must have facts that would give officers probable cause to search or arrest individuals for violation of a state criminal law.
- Be careful not to put your own safety, or that of friends or family, in jeopardy while you are gathering information about criminal activity.
- However, the more details you are able to provide, the more valuable your tip will be. For example, if you have names and addresses of the individuals engaging in criminal activity, and can point to specific dates and times when you witnessed that activity, law enforcement know where and when to investigate.
2
Take precautions to conceal your identity. As with making anonymous reports to federal government agencies, the degree to which you protect your identity depends on the reasons you want your report to be anonymous.^[18] ^[19]
- You may have the ability to file a report online or over the phone. When doing so, take steps to make sure the tip can't be traced back to you or your home if you feel such steps are necessary to protect yourself.
- Typically, you simply want to make sure that the people you're reporting don't find out the report came from you. Where that's the case, it may not matter that the police could potentially trace your call.
3
Call the appropriate number. Local police departments typically have an anonymous tip line that you can find by going to the department's website or in a local phone book. You also have the option of calling national numbers such as Crime Stoppers, which will forward your information anonymously to the relevant law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.^[20] ^[21] ^[22]
- Most law enforcement agencies, especially in larger metropolitan areas, have toll-free hotlines that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- For general tips, you also may be able to call the local police department's non-emergency line. You may be asked for your name, but you can refuse to give it. Depending on your location, this phone line may not be available 24 hours a day.
- If you want to call to report criminal activity in progress, or if there is an imminent threat of violence or other hostilities, try to get somewhere safe and call 911 immediately.
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Question

How do you report someone to immigration in the U.K.?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

To report an immigration crime in the U.K., go to the website of the Home Office and use the Immigration or Customs Crime report form. You can submit the information anonymously or provide your name and contact information. You can also call the immigration enforcement hotline at 0300 123 7000.
Question

What do I do if ICE comes to my door?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Know your rights. You don't have to open the door to them unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. If they say they do, ask them to slide it under your door or through a mail slot so you can inspect it. If they don't have a warrant, say that you do not consent to their entry. If they force their way in anyway, don't resist, but tell them you don't consent to their entry and that you choose to exercise your right to remain silent. Say that you want to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible, and don't sign anything until you've spoken to a lawyer.
Question

If a person enters the U.S. as a visitor and works without the proper visa, can they be deported?

Yes. They could be.
Question

Can a person be reported and deported if they have a false green and social security card?

Yes, fake social security cards and fake green cards are fraudulent and therefore illegal.
Question

If a man is in the US on his wife's visa, but they separate and she returns to India permanently, what is the status of the husband who remains in US?

He is in the US illegally unless there has been an approval and an adjustment on his visa status.
Question

If I report an illegal immigrant, will he be deported?

If he does an illegal activity, then he may have an possibility of being deported. It also depends on the city/state that you are in.
Question

Can I go personally to the immigration office to report a criminal alien?

The immigration office is open to the public. You can also phone or fill out a form on the website. You can do this anonymously or not.
Question

Can an elderly woman who is sick and has an expired visa be deported?

The issue is violation of the law, not the well-being of the person. Humanitarian acts can be subjective, but please remember that the lady of justice is wearing a blindfold. Thus, in the eye of the law, someone's age, well-being, gender, and anything else, should have little bearing.
Question

If an illegal marries a legal immigrant, can the illegal still get deported?

If doubt is raised by someone regarding the validity or the marriage (i.e., a marriage of convenience), then, yes, the illegal immigrant could possibly be deported.
Question

Is it possible for someone who has been the victim of an ICE tip-off without any evidence of criminal activity being presented to ask for a voice transcript of a tip-off phone call?

Yes, you can. You can file your request to release that information electronically. The agency to request that information from is the Department of Homeland Security. Go to the DHS FOIA/Privacy Act Request Submission Form at the DHS website.

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Article SummaryX

One way to report illegal immigrants anonymously is to file a tip form online by going to the Immigration and Customs website. Make sure to establish a private internet connection or use a public computer so the report can't be traced back to you. Once you're on the site, read through the tip form and make sure you have enough information in order to report someone. If you do, complete the Homeland Security Investigations tip form and submit it through the website. Alternatively, call the ICE tip line at 1-866-347-2423 if you're in the U.S. or Canada. In order to remain truly anonymous, make your call from a public phone or a number that can't be traced back to you. For more advice, including how to report an illegal immigrant to your local law enforcement agency, keep reading.

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