🚨 Emergency Plan for Your Family

The best time to make an emergency plan is BEFORE an emergency happens. If ICE arrests you, if you are detained, or if you are deported, your family should know what to do. This section walks you through creating a complete family emergency plan. It takes a few hours to complete but can protect your family for years.

⚖️ On this page

•Make a plan now — before an emergency happens.
•Know your rights if you are stopped, detained, or deported.
•Prepare documents, a Power of Attorney, and a childcare plan.
•Build a support network and know who to call.

Who This Is For

→ Undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
→ Mixed-status families (some members documented, some not)
→ People with pending immigration cases
→ Anyone who wants to be prepared for immigration enforcement

🪪 Know Your Rights Card

Print this card, laminate it if possible, and carry it in your wallet. Give copies to every adult family member.

FRONT

MY RIGHTS — I AM EXERCISING THEM NOW

If police or ICE stop me:
✓ "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
✓ "Am I free to go?"
✓ "I want to speak to a lawyer."
✗ Do NOT answer questions about my status.
✗ Do NOT sign anything.
✗ Do NOT run.

If ICE comes to my door:
✓ Do NOT open the door.
✓ "Do you have a judicial warrant signed by a judge?"
✓ "I do not consent to entry."
✗ Do NOT let them in without a judicial warrant.

MY EMERGENCY LAWYER: _______________
PHONE: _______________

BACK

If I am detained:
✓ "I want a lawyer."
✓ "I want to call my consulate."
✓ "I want a hearing before an immigration judge."
✗ Do NOT sign anything.
✗ Do NOT agree to leave voluntarily.

Family emergency contact: _______________
Phone: _______________

My children go to: _______________
Emergency guardian: _______________
Phone: _______________

Your 8-Step Emergency Plan

Step 1: Legal Preparation

✓ Consult an immigration lawyer NOW — before anything happens

An immigration lawyer can review your situation, identify any green card paths you might have, advise you on your specific risks, and prepare documents you might need. Many nonprofits offer free consultations.

✓ Find out if you have any open immigration cases or orders

Check whether you have any past deportation orders or open cases with USCIS or immigration court. Your lawyer can help you find out. Knowing this is critical for planning.

✓ Research whether your city or county has sanctuary policies

Search "[your city/county name] sanctuary policy" or ask a local immigrant rights organization. In sanctuary jurisdictions, local police generally will not cooperate with ICE — but ICE can still operate there.

✓ Learn the phone number of an immigration lawyer or legal aid org — memorize it or tattoo it on paper in your wallet

If you are arrested and have your phone taken, you will need to know this number from memory. Some organizations have 24-hour hotlines. Write it on the Know Your Rights card.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Gather the following documents and make 3 sets of copies: (1) Keep one set at home in a secure but accessible place. (2) Give one set to a trusted person outside your home. (3) Keep one set in a waterproof document bag.

for yourself:

• Passport (or identity document from your home country)
• Consular ID / Matrícula Consular (if your country's consulate issued one)
• Birth certificate (yours)
• Any USCIS or immigration court documents you have received
• Work permit (EAD) and any DACA or TPS approval notices
• Tax returns for the past 5 years (proof of your presence in the U.S.)
• Bank statements showing continuous U.S. presence
• Lease, utility bills, school records showing your address history
• Social security card (if you have one)

for children:

• Children's birth certificates
• Children's U.S. passports or birth certificates proving any U.S. citizenship
• Children's school enrollment records
• Children's vaccination / medical records
• Children's Social Security cards (if applicable)

financial:

• Bank account information (account numbers, the bank's phone number)
• List of bills that must be paid and when
• Insurance policies
• Any property ownership documents

legal:

• Your most recent immigration attorney contact information
• Your country's nearest consulate address and phone number
• Any signed Power of Attorney documents

Step 3: Sign a Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are not available. This is critical if you are detained or deported.

Financial Power of Attorney

Allows a trusted person to manage your bank accounts, pay your bills, access your money, and handle financial matters on your behalf while you are unable to do so.

Medical Power of Attorney / Healthcare Proxy

Allows a trusted person to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. This includes authorizing medical treatment.

Childcare Power of Attorney

Authorizes a specific trusted adult to make decisions for your children if you cannot — including medical, school, and daily care decisions. Some states call this a "delegation of parental authority."

This does NOT give up your parental rights. It is temporary and you can revoke it when you return. It is designed to allow your children to be cared for legally without requiring a court to appoint a guardian.

Step 4: Create a Plan Specifically for Your Children

Your children's safety is your top priority. Plan for every scenario.

If you are detained:

• Designate a specific trusted adult (not in your household) to pick up your children from school if you cannot.
• Inform that trusted adult of your plan and make sure they agree to it.
• Give that trusted adult a signed, notarized Childcare Power of Attorney.
• Make sure your children know that adult's name and phone number.
• Tell the school the name of your emergency contact and authorize them to release your children to that person.
• Prepare a letter (see template below) authorizing the caregiver.

If you are deported:

• Decide in advance whether your children should stay in the U.S. or go with you.
• If children stay in the U.S.: make sure your designated caregiver is fully prepared and has all necessary documents.
• If U.S. citizen children stay in the U.S.: a Childcare POA protects them while you are gone.
• If children go with you: make sure you have their passports and that they know they may be going to a different country.
• Contact a child welfare organization for help — the Vera Institute and others work specifically on family separation issues.

For children:

• Teach your children (in age-appropriate terms) who to call if you don't come home.
• Teach them the emergency contact's full name and phone number.
• Make sure older children know their own full name, your full name, and your date of birth.
• Do NOT teach young children to fear the police — teach them what to do in specific situations.

Step 5: Financial Preparation

✓ Keep a small amount of cash ($200–$500) in a safe place your trusted person knows about — for immediate needs.
✓ Make sure your trusted person has authorization to access your bank account (financial POA, or add them as an authorized user).
✓ Write down all automatic bill payments and their amounts so bills can be paid in your absence.
✓ If you own property: consult a lawyer about putting your property in a trust or co-ownership so it can be managed if you are not available.
✓ Know the process for canceling or transferring utilities, subscriptions, and accounts.

Step 6: Know Your Country's Consulate

If you are detained or deported, your country's consulate can help. They can provide an interpreter, help you contact family, assist with travel documents, and connect you with legal resources.

Step 7: Build Your Community Safety Network

✓ Connect with local immigrant advocacy and support organizations — they have resources and know the local landscape.
✓ Find out if there is a 'rapid response network' in your area — a system where volunteers receive alerts about ICE operations and provide support.
✓ Find out if your church, mosque, temple, or community organization has a 'know your rights' program.
✓ Exchange emergency contact information with trusted neighbors.
✓ Know which local organizations can provide emergency childcare, legal help, financial support, and emotional support.

Step 8: Digital Safety

✓ Do NOT post information about your immigration status on social media.
✓ Do NOT post information about upcoming immigration appointments.
✓ Use a secure messaging app (like Signal) for sensitive conversations.
✓ Make sure your phone is password protected.
✓ Keep an important documents folder in a secure cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud) that your trusted person can access.
✓ Know your phone's passcode — if you are detained and your phone is taken, you should not be compelled to give up your passcode.
✓ If you use immigration apps or online services, be aware that your data may be accessible to government agencies in some circumstances.

📄 Letter Templates

Authorization letter for a trusted adult to care for your children in your absence

📝 This letter supplements (but does not replace) a notarized Childcare Power of Attorney. It can be shown to schools, doctors, and other institutions. Have it notarized if possible.

CHILDCARE AUTHORIZATION LETTER Date: [TODAY'S DATE] I, [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME], am the [parent/guardian] of: Child 1: [CHILD'S FULL NAME], Date of Birth: [DOB] Child 2: [CHILD'S FULL NAME], Date of Birth: [DOB] [Add additional children as needed] I hereby authorize [CAREGIVER'S FULL LEGAL NAME], residing at [CAREGIVER'S ADDRESS], to care for my child(ren) listed above in the event that I am unable to do so. [CAREGIVER'S NAME] has my permission to: • Make day-to-day decisions for my child(ren) • Authorize medical treatment in the event of an emergency • Pick up and drop off my child(ren) from school • Make decisions about my child(ren)'s education and activities This authorization is effective immediately and remains in effect until I revoke it in writing, or until [EXPIRATION DATE if desired]. Emergency medical information for my child(ren): Doctor: [NAME AND PHONE] Insurance (if any): [INSURANCE INFORMATION] Medical conditions or allergies: [LIST] Medications: [LIST] I sign this letter voluntarily and understand its meaning. ____________________________ [YOUR SIGNATURE] [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] [YOUR DATE OF BIRTH] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR PHONE] [DATE] [NOTARY BLOCK — strongly recommended:] Subscribed and sworn before me on [DATE]. ____________________________ Notary Public My commission expires: [DATE]

Letter to your child's school authorizing an emergency contact to pick up the child

[TODAY'S DATE] [SCHOOL NAME] Attention: Principal's Office [SCHOOL ADDRESS] Re: Emergency Contact Authorization for [CHILD'S FULL NAME] Grade: [GRADE] Date of Birth: [DOB] Dear School Administrator: My name is [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] and I am the [parent/guardian] of [CHILD'S NAME], a student in [GRADE] at your school. I am writing to authorize the following person to pick up my child in the event that I am unable to do so: Name: [CAREGIVER'S FULL NAME] Relationship to child: [e.g., aunt, family friend, neighbor] Phone: [CAREGIVER'S PHONE] Address: [CAREGIVER'S ADDRESS] [Optional: ID description — e.g., "She has a driver's license and will present it when picking up."] This person is authorized to pick up my child at any time I cannot be reached. I ask that you keep this letter on file for the entire school year. If you have any questions, please contact me at [YOUR PHONE]. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, ____________________________ [YOUR SIGNATURE] [YOUR FULL LEGAL NAME] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL]

🔔 Rapid Response Networks

Some communities have organized "rapid response networks" — groups of volunteers who respond quickly when immigration enforcement is reported in the area. They can: • Alert community members of enforcement activity nearby • Provide Know Your Rights information • Connect detained individuals with legal help • Support families affected by enforcement

Search "[your city] rapid response network immigration" or contact local immigrant rights organizations to ask if one exists in your area.

United We Dream

unitedwedream.org

DACA advocacy and immigrant support network.

RAICES

raicestexas.org

National Immigration Law Center

nilc.org

Immigrant Defense Project

immigrantdefenseproject.org

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

National Domestic Violence Hotline (for VAWA situations)

thehotline.org

1-800-799-7233

National Human Trafficking Hotline (for trafficking situations)

humantraffickinghotline.org

1-888-373-7888