What You Need to Know About Emergency Planning

• A list that everyone can see of friends and family members that can help in case a member of your family is detained.
• Find someone who will take care of your children if you or your spouse is deported.  Give them the authority to make healthcare and educational decisions for your child, by completing a Designation of Person in Parental Relationship (call us for help completing this document). Speak with the person about the responsibilities of caring for your children. If it is possible, put some money aside to help with the expenses and the loss of income of a detained person.
• If it is possible, save money in an emergency fund to help with the costs and the loss of income if someone is detained.
• Update the emergency contact information at your child’s school to add names and telephone numbers of adults (for example, family members, friends, babysitters, neighbors, or other school parents) who can pick up your child in your absence. Do this for your school, pre-k, childcare program and any after-school program your child participates in.
• If you have US Citizen children make sure they have US Passports in case your deportation makes it necessary for them to travel outside of the US.  Forms are available at all US Post Offices.
• Make photocopies of all your immigration documents. Keep a copy of all your documents with a friend or family member that you trust.
• Make a list of things that the children should do if their parents do not come home when they are supposed to.
• Make a list of things that the parent or guardian can do in case of deportation or detention. Examples are:
  • Call a community agency that gives legal help of immigration.
  • If a family member or friend is detained and does not have a lawyer this person or a family member can call The Legal Aid Society Immigration Helpline: 844-955-3425
• Keep a list of family members and their numbers in your country of origin to call in an emergency.
• If you have been in the U.S. for more than two years, gather and keep documents showing that continuous presence.

You can search online at www.ice.gov/locator.

If an officer arrives at your home they can only enter with a search warrant signed by a judge or if someone in the house allows them to enter. If you suspect that ICE agents are at your home and they do not have a search warrant signed by a judge, do not open the door. (Usually, ICE has a warrant signed by an ICE officer. You do not have to open the door for that kind of warrant.)

Call our Immigration Helpline at 844-955-3425 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for assistance with:

• Naturalization
• Green cards
• VAWA
• U & T Visas
• Temporary Protected Status
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
• Undocumented Youth in Foster Care
• Guardianship & Adoption Proceedings
• Public charge concerns
• Advance planning non-citizen parents

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.