Know your rights and create a safety plan in the event that you are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
For You
- Memorize the phone number of a friend, family member, or attorney you can call if you are arrested. Keep a list of important numbers with you (information for guardian/caretaker for children, school, doctors, consulate, and immigration attorney).
- Make sure your family members know how to locate your documents and your "A" number.
- Pre-sign a "G-28" form to make it easier for a lawyer to intervene to help you. Click here for the form and sign next to the arrow on page 3 (you can leave the rest blank). Give the form to a trusted person so that they can use it in an emergency.
For Your Children
- Keep each child’s important documents together (passport, birth certificate, medical records, school records, social security card, etc.).
- Find a trusted person willing to care for your children if you are detained or deported.
- You can sign a “Nomination of Guardian” form stating who you designate to care for your children in your absence (visit www.lacsn.org/guardian for English or www.lacsn.org/tutor for Spanish).
- If your children will remain in the U.S., you can sign a temporary guardianship form that designates a temporary caregiver and is valid for six months (www.lacsn.org/guardian6). The temporary guardian will likely need to apply for court-ordered guardianship if you are gone longer.
- If your children will return to your country of origin, obtain the appropriate documents to make the necessary travel arrangements for the children.
- Make sure your children and designated guardians/caretakers are aware of the plan and know where to find documents.
For Your Property
- Make a plan for paychecks, bank accounts, vehicles, home lease, and property. Include whether the item will be sent to you or remain with family or friends.
- You can give a limited power of attorney to a friend or relative but be careful to only give it to a trusted person. A limited power of attorney allows people to transact business for you, but you do not want this person to steal from you. You can specifically list the matters that person will have authority over, like property or finances. An example of a limited power of attorney can be found at www.lacsn.org/limited.
- Keep any signed and notarized documents in a safe, not easily accessible location, with instructions that they are only to be used in an emergency situations.
Click here to view the flyer.
Haga clic aquí para español.
Mag-click dito para sa Tagalog.
