Battle Buddies · Legal guidelines
Show up. Stand quietly. Stay lawful.
You are attending immigration court to show solidarity with Afghan wartime allies, not to protest, disrupt, or interfere. These guidelines keep your presence respectful, lawful, and effective. Read them before every appearance.
Last updated October 8, 2026
Most non-detained immigration hearings are open to the public, and you have a legal right to observe them. You do not have a right to speak, record, carry signs inside, or get between an officer and anyone else. Inside the courthouse, follow every instruction from court staff and security. Outside, on public property, your First Amendment rights apply, within the limits below.
What you can do
Your presence is the message
- Attend public immigration court hearings. Most non-detained hearings are open to the public, and you are legally allowed to observe them.
- Stand or sit quietly in designated public areas. Before or after the hearing, your presence in lobbies, sidewalks, and other non-secure areas is generally protected under the First Amendment.
- Wear items that express support, within limits. Veteran hats, ribbons, or shirts that say “I Stand With Our Allies” are typically allowed outside the courtroom, and sometimes inside if they are not disruptive.
- Be a quiet witness. Your physical presence, in civilian clothes, sends a powerful message without a word.
- Accompany the ally to and from court, if invited. Escorting is allowed as long as you do not interfere with court personnel or proceedings.
What you cannot do
Lines that must not be crossed
- Do not bring signs, banners, or protest materials inside the courthouse. They are not allowed and may get you removed.
- Do not record, photograph, or livestream inside the courtroom. It is a federal offense.
- Do not speak out during proceedings. Even if you disagree with what is said, an outburst can be treated as disruptive and can harm the ally’s case.
- Do not engage with ICE officers. Do not confront officers and do not attempt to interfere with any arrest.
- Do not wear a military uniform unless you are on active duty. This avoids any question of impersonation. Civilian veteran attire is preferable.
Gray areas
Use caution here
Outside the courthouse
You may hold signs, speak to media, or organize brief remarks, but you must remain on public property and must not block entrances or walkways.
The ally and their family
Be mindful of their privacy and safety. Do not post identifying photos or details without explicit consent, and do not share case information with anyone outside the team.
If ICE approaches someone you are escorting
Stay calm. Do not interfere. Afterward, document what you saw in your after-action report (AAR) and make sure the individual is connected with legal counsel. Your AAR is how the pattern gets recorded and how the attorneys learn what happened.
If you are questioned or asked to leave
Comply respectfully. You have a right to observe, not to disrupt. If asked to step back or leave, do so calmly and notify AfghanEvac staff. You may ask, “Am I being detained, or am I free to go?” Do not argue.
Before you go
Best practices
Arrive early
Give yourself time to get through security. Federal buildings screen everyone, and lines are unpredictable.
Bring ID
Most federal buildings require government-issued identification to enter.
Know who you are supporting
Be familiar with the ally’s name, their attorney if they have one, and the hearing or appointment time. Get this from your AfghanEvac coordinator, not from the ally in a public space.
Avoid political apparel
Keep the focus on solidarity and lawfulness. Nothing partisan, nothing that reads as a protest.
Go in pairs or groups
Safety and clarity are better in numbers, and a second person can file the AAR if the first is occupied.
File your AAR the same day
Every appearance gets an after-action report, whether or not anything happened. It is the record the program runs on.
If someone asks why you are there
Sample language
“I’m here as a U.S. veteran to quietly observe these proceedings and stand in support of Afghan allies who served with our forces. I understand and respect the rules of the court.”Say it calmly, once. Then stop talking.
If you are not a veteran, drop the first clause: “I’m here to quietly observe these proceedings and stand in support of Afghan allies who served with U.S. forces.”
Scope
What this guidance does not cover
- It is not legal advice to you or to the ally. If you have a question about your own exposure, ask AfghanEvac staff before the appearance.
- It does not authorize you to speak for the ally, to their attorney, or to the court.
- It does not change based on how the hearing goes. The rules are the same when the outcome is bad.
Become a Battle Buddy
Read the guidelines, then sign up here.
Tell us who you are, where you are, and when you can show up. We will match you with hearings and appointments near you. By signing up you confirm you have read the guidelines on this page and will follow them at every appearance.
If the form does not load, email info@afghanevac.org and we will follow up.
Go deeper
Ready to stand with an ally?
Sign up as a Battle Buddy, or flag a hearing or appointment that needs one. Every appearance is coordinated through AfghanEvac, and you will have these guidelines in hand before your first one.
More Battle Buddies
These guidelines are general information for volunteers and are not legal advice. Court rules vary by building and by judge; follow the instructions of court staff and security in every case. Battle Buddies is a program of AfghanEvac in partnership with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Questions: info@afghanevac.org.
Received a notice or letter from the U.S. government? Share what you’re seeing with our expert team.