News & Commentary

IMPORTANT! Do not sign any documents you do not understand.
Be careful not to sign away your rights when you are traveling. You can give up your visa or permanent resident status by signing some forms. If a form is in a language you don't understand, ask for a translator.

What if I am afraid to return to the country I came from?
If you are told you cannot enter the U.S. and fear you might be persecuted or tortured if sent back to the country you traveled from, you can tell the official about your fear and ask for asylum. This may prolong the period of time that you are held, but it will also mean that you will not immediately be sent back to your country.
Can a pilot order me off the plane?
Yes. The pilot of an airplane has the right to refuse to fly a passenger if he or she believes the passenger is a threat to the safety of the flight. The pilot's decision must be reasonable and based on observations of you, not stereotypes. If you are unfairly ordered off a plane, you can file a complaint with the airline or contact the ACLU of California at one of the numbers listed below.
What should I do if I believe I have been added to a "no fly" or other national security list?
If you believe you have been placed on the "No Fly List" because you were denied the right to board a plane, please consult this ACLU guide and follow the procedures described there.

You can also fill out a survey about your experiences if you were denied boarding.

If you believe you were mistakenly placed on the "terrorist watch list" because you are regularly sent to secondary inspection or you see the label "SSSS" on your boarding pass, you can fill out a TSA form at their website.

 
Please report any abuses or mistreatment to the ACLU of California.
If you believe any of your rights were violated at an airport or land Port of Entry in California, please contact the ACLU of California.

For Los Angeles International (LAX) and other Southern California airport related complaints, please call 213-977-5253 or use our online form.

For San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland (OAK), FAT (Fresno), and any other Northern California airport related complaints, please call 415-621-2488 or visit ACLU of Northern California's website..

For San Diego International (SAN) Airport related complaints, or complaints related to any land Port of Entry from Mexico to California, please call 619-232-2121, ext. 67 or visit ACLU of San Diego's website.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the Department of Homeland Security at https://www.dhs.gov/publication/file-civil-rights-complaint.

Download this information in a PDF file.

###