Having a Plan Makes the Difference

Keep all of your important documents in an easily accessible place. Make copies of these

documents for a family member or close friend to keep in case of emergency.

• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage License
• Car Titles and Property Deeds
• All immigration documents, including “A” number if you have one

Speak with a trusted immigration attorney to get guidance on your individual immigration situation

• Always have the number or card of a respected legal service provider or immigration attorney in case of emergency.
• Your family should also have these numbers. Memorize that family member’s number.

Have an emergency plan at your place of work

• Ask if your coworkers are willing to stay silent and ask to speak with an attorney in the

event that immigration comes to your workplace.

• If your workplace has a union, speak with the union representative to learn how

to prepare in case immigration comes to your workplace.

Have a plan to protect your family

• Prepare a “Power of Attorney” form to ensure the proper care of your children with relative or family friend in case you are detained or deported. 
• Obtain a valid passport for your children.
  • If your child is a citizen of the United States, obtain a passport for them as soon as possible. They will need this to travel outside of the country and prove citizenship later.
  • If your child is not a citizen of the U.S., obtain a passport from their country of citizenship. You can get this from your country’s consulate.

• Register your child as a citizen of your country at that country’s consulate so you do not have problems there once you arrive.
  • For example, in some countries, children that are not registered cannot attend school.

What to do if the police or an immigration agent questions you:

You have the right to ask if you are being detained or arrested.

If the officer says "No, you are not under arrest or being detained", ask them if you are free to leave.  If they say yes, slowly and calmly walk away.

If the officer says "Yes, you are under arrest and/or being detained", then you have the right to remain silent.

If you have valid documents:

- Show them to the officer.  Always carry them with you.

If you do not have valid documents:

- Do not answer any questions

- Do not show false documents

- Only say "I need to speak with my attorney"

- Do not say anything about where you are from or how you came to this country

Above All

DO NOT SHOW FALSE DOCUMENTS AND DO NOT SAY ANYTHING THAT IS NOT TRUE

What to do if the police or an immigration tries to enter your house:

- Do not open the door

It is very important to ask them if they are the police or immigration. (Sometimes, immigration agents will say they are the police so ask them very specific questions

If it is an immigration agent/officer, they are usually not allowed to enter unless you open the door or give them permission to enter.

- Talk to them through the door.  If you open the door a small amount to talk, the agent might say that by opening the door you gave consent to enter.

If it is the police, they need a "Search Warrant" to enter your house.

- A search warrant is a signed paper by a judge that authorizes the officer to enter you house.

- The warrant should say in detail who the person is that the officer is looking for

- If they have an arrest warrant but not a search warrant, they are not legally able to enter the house.

If an officer enters your home:

- Write down the names and badge numbers of the officers

- Tell them that you have not given them consent for a search

-Take down the names, address and numbers of anyone who is present

Above All

EXERCIZE YOUR RIGHTS AND DO NOT RUN.  IT IS NOT SAFE TO RUN.

You Have The Right:

- Not to sign declarations or documents, particularly the ones you do not understand.

Especially those that give up your right to a hearing before a judge.

You can say that you would like to speak with a lawyer before signing.

- Not to offer information on your immigration status

- What you say can be used against you later in immigration court.

- To contact your consulate

- To make a call after you have been detained

Remember the number of your lawyer or family member

Call them immediately

- To ask for a bond

You always should ask for a bond or a bond hearing.

- To have an interpreter at your hearing if you do not speak English

Above All

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. CONTACT YOUR LEGAL REPRESENTATION ASAP.