Know Your Rights, Family Emergency Preparedness & Additional Resources

By My Undocumented Life on January 28, 2025 • ( 0 )

In recent days, there have been growing fears and worries about upcoming changes in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement practices. Now more than ever it is important to be informed about your rights and resources. At My Undocumented Life, we have compiled helpful information as it relates to encounters with immigration officers, a family member’s deportation (whether threatened or realized), and more. If you know of additional trustworthy resources, feel free to add them using the “comment” feature below!

What are my rights if I encounter an immigration officer?

Know Your Rights poster created by United We Dream

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) created a concise resource document summarizing the set of basic legal rights that individuals in the U.S., including noncitizens, have during any encounter with a government official like a police or immigration officer. It can also be helpful to download, print and carry a “red card” which describes the set of rights individuals can exercise. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) created a set of red cards in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Chinese, which can be downloaded for free. The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) also created a guide that provides detailed information about an individual’s legal rights during an encounter with law enforcement, including what to do if a police officer knocks at the door, how to read a warrant, and more. The guide is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Arabic. It can also be helpful to check with a local immigrant rights organization to see if they are hosting any “Know Your Rights” workshops or webinars in the coming weeks.

What can I do to prepare in the event that a family member is arrested or deported?

It can be challenging to mentally prepare for a loved one’s arrest. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) created a helpful document that summarizes some of the key steps to take to prepare children and oneself in the event of an arrest or deportation. This includes, for example, how to talk to children, how to decide who might be able to care for young children in the event of a parent’s arrest, what kind of information to leave with a caretaker in the event of a parent’s arrest, and more. Other organizations have developed similar family emergency plan guides and templates, including CLINIC, You can also browse through helpful legal resources compiled by My Undocumented Life, the UndocuBasic Needs Project, and Informed Immigrant.

What do I do if a family member is arrested?

Freedom for Immigrants created a toolkit with multiple resources to find a loved who might have been taken into jail or a detention center. The toolkit also includes information about what to do in the event that a family member becomes lost while crossing or post-deportation. The toolkit is also available in Spanish. The organization No More Deaths compiled different links to locate a loved one who has been detained, particularly while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. If a member is detained, here is helpful information compiled by the Detention Watch Network as to what to expect during a visitation. It can also be helpful to reach out to a local immigrant rights organization to learn about any legal, emotional, or financial support they may be able to offer or refer you to.

How do I alert organizers and community members if I see an immigration officer in the neighborhood?

Informational flyer prepared by advocacy organization Unión del Barrio

Check with your local immigrant rights organization(s) to see if they facilitate what is known as a “rapid response network” or “immigration hotline” where they receive reports about sightings of immigration officers, immigration raids or arrests. These efforts are typically geared towards documenting immigration enforcement on the ground and verifying reports. Some of these organizations may also host “Migra Watch” or “Noches de Resistencia” (Nights of Resistance) where they inform community members about how to identify vehicles that belong to immigration officers.

How do I stay informed with what’s happening on immigration?

There are many changes unfolding when it comes to U.S. immigration policy and enforcement. It is imperative to stay informed of those changes including its potential impacts on individuals, families, and communities. There are several national organizations and platforms that keep track of these changes. At My Undocumented Life, you can subscribe for free via e-mail to receive up-to-date information related to immigration policy, scholarship opportunities open to undocumented students, immigration-related events, and much more. Other organizations to follow on social media for helpful updates and resources include Immigrants Rising, UndocuProfessionals, Aliento, Scholarships A-Z, United We Dream, among many others.

During these challenging times, it is important to remember that you are not alone. It is also key to surround yourself with trusted family members, friends, and/or peers that can help you navigate through growing fears and worries, as well as to identify helpful information and resources.

Please keep in mind that this post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional legal advice. It is important to consult with an experienced and trustworthy immigration representative or attorney to receive answers and support for specific legal questions. Additionally, the information provided is current to the publication of the post. Please be sure to verify any authenticity and trustworthiness of links prior to connecting with any resource.

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At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. Most importantly, we want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers. Learn more about our work here: “About Us“