Realtor® Immigration Resources

Realtor® Rights & Responsibilities: A Minneapolis Area Realtors® Resource Guide

Important Note:

This member resource is compiled by the Minneapolis Area Realtors® Association. This resource guide is not a substitute for legal or operational advice. MAR recommends contacting qualified legal counsel regarding immigration enforcement activities specific to your business or specific transactions.

About this Guide

Minneapolis Area Realtors® serve diverse communities and often support clients navigating complex personal and housing situations. From tenants and landlords to homeowners and business owners, Realtors® may encounter moments in which immigration authorities are involved — whether at a client’s property, a listing, an open house or business.

It is important for you to remember your role as a real estate professional. Your responsibility is to maintain your professionalism and direct individuals to appropriate resources for accurate assistance. You are not a legal advisor and should not offer legal guidance or interpretation of immigration law.

This Guide is designed to help you:
  1. Understand your professional boundaries and your rights when immigration-related issues arise;
  2. Recognize when and how to direct clients to legal or community resources; and
  3. Uphold the Realtor® Code of Ethics, particularly your commitment to fair housing and non-discrimination.

By staying informed and prepared, you can be a trusted resource for your clients and community while promoting Realtor® safety. As always, while we can’t give legal advice, MAR’s staff are here and ready to assist on these or any other issues for our members.

On Sharing Client Information
  1. Remember your fiduciary duties and maintain privacy. Never share confidential client information, including immigration status, citizenship, or other personal details, without written consent from your client or if required by law.
  2. Stay calm and factual. If contacted by an immigration official who requests client information, remain calm and do not provide false information. Ask the immigration official to identify themselves, record their details, and refer the matter to your managing broker and legal counsel before responding.
Your Role and Ethical Obligation as a Realtor® 

Real estate professionals and the people we serve depend on strong fair housing laws and practices for our communities and economy to thrive. Minneapolis Area Realtors® fully supports the practice of equal opportunity and fair housing. 

Code of Ethics 

Per Article 10 of Code of Ethics: 

  1. Realtors® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Realtors® shall not be parties to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.   
  1. Realtors®, in their real estate employment practices, shall not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  

The Law: The Minnesota Human Rights Act 

  1.  Minnesota Statute 363 A.02 subdiv.1 (a)(2) – Freedom from Discrimination
    It is the public policy of this state to secure for persons in this state, freedom from discrimination: in housing and real property because of one or more of the following: race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, and familial status; 
  1. Minnesota Statute 363 A.02 subdiv. 2 – Civil Right
    The opportunity to obtain employment, housing, and other real estate, and full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public services, and educational institutions without such discrimination as is prohibited by this chapter is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right. 
General Resources for Knowing Your Rights and Legal Assistance 

US Constitutional Rights

All people in the U.S., regardless of status, have due process and equal protection under the 5th & 14th Amendments, meaning you have rights when interacting with law enforcement.  

Resources & Assistance

City, State and Federal Government Elected Officials to contact with concerns: 

Federal Government Elected Officials 

Minneapolis Area Realtors® is grateful for the Chicago Association of Realtors® leadership and guidance in putting together this resource.