While we hope for the best, we need to plan for the worst.
Take a Moment – It’s stressful and scary to prepare for a potential detention and deportation. Take a moment to care for yourself and your loved ones.
If you would like support or help in creating an emergency plan, please email uvimmsolidarity@pm.me
Note that any information contained here is informational, NOT legal advice. Please consult with your lawyer about your specific situation.
START HERE
See this Step-By-Step Family Preparedness Guide
Vermont Legal Aid is resuming efforts to protect at-risk immigrant parents and their children through emergency minor guardianships and family preparedness plans. This is a strategy being implemented nationwide to ensure at-risk immigrant parents’ voice and choice in their children’s future in the event that the parents have contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the two law enforcement branches of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
OTHER RESOURCES AND CONSIDERATIONS
Use this excellent resource from the Appleseed Network to build your own guide. You can also find a helpful video here. Specifically, when preparing for a potential detention and deportation, you need to:
Write Down Your Basic Family Information – Use this worksheet from ILAP available in English | Français | Português | Español |Kreyòl Ayisyen | Soomaali to record your key personal and medical information, contacts of friends who can support you, and your attorney if you have one. Memorize phone numbers.
Prepare Your Documents – Whether you (1) have valid immigration status, (2) do not have valid status but have applied/ have an open case, or (3) are undocumented/ your status expired, you should make copies and keep certain documents on you at all times. See the link above for more information.
Collecting Paperwork: Individuals who are concerned they may be detained should consider collecting paperwork ahead of time
- Make copies of any paperwork or identification you have.
- Only carry copies, not original of anything. When folks are being picked up and being detained, those documents are being taken from people
- Original copies should be kept in a safe and locked location where a trusted friend, colleague, or family member has access to.
- Include A#s in paperwork
- Gather letters in advance if concerned about being detained: Community support, proof of employment, firm address. These can support habeas and bond requests.
Coordinate Care for Children – Start preparing your family in case of a detention by using this worksheet from ILAP, available in English | Français | Português | Español |Kreyòl Ayisyen | Soomaali . With support from a family law attorney, consider setting up plans to ensure another person to act on your behalf and will always be able to care for your children. For more in depth information, see this guide by Public Counsel.
In VT: To set up standby guardianship, the custodial parent (or parents)
must work with the proposed standby guardian to fill out and submit forms available through the Vermont Judiciary. If a judge has approved a standby guardianship agreement, it will be effective if the custodial parent becomes unavailable to care for their children because of an adverse immigration action.
Vermont Legal Aid is resuming efforts to protect at-risk immigrant parents and their children through emergency minor guardianships and family preparedness plans. This is a strategy being implemented nationwide to ensure at-risk immigrant parents’ voice and choice in their children’s future in the event that the parents have contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the two law enforcement branches of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Review VAAP’s blog post to learn more about who this legal service is for, who can volunteer to make it happen, and how to get involved or request help.
Financial Planning – Prepare your finances in case of a detention. Check out this worksheet to begin planning for your financial assets in the event of a detention. Consult with a lawyer to set up a Power of Attorney, ensuring you and your family have continued access to your finances. Check out these free financial education trainings to strengthen your personal finances and consider setting aside some money in the event you or a family member is detained.
Red Cards – Carry Documents on Hand! They are a helpful reminder! Print out a “Red Card” to keep with you. This card will remind you of your rights and what to say to an immigration officer if you ever need help remembering them.
Helpful Tools – Consider downloading the ReadyNow! App or InstaSOS App write out and set up your textable emergency plans and notifications.
Additional Reading – Check out these thorough workbooks by the Appleseed Network and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. We also recommend this resource related to life after deportation.