Everyone in the United States has certain rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status. Given the heightened levels of uncertainty and fear in communities, noncitizens and citizens alike may require even greater accompaniment and comprehensive support during this time and months ahead. Depending on someone’s individual circumstances it may make sense to talk to a lawyer for more specialized assistance. The resources listed below can help communities stay generally informed, prepared, and united in support of immigrant neighbors.
Note: This information is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer. Laws may vary by state.
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
General Know Your Rights Resources
Red Card: This guide provides basic information about important practices to remember during encounters with law or immigration enforcement. You can print the Red Card which can be handed to an officer to assert your rights.
- Immigration Legal Resource Center: How to use your Red Card [ Spanish | Tagalog | Tongan]
- Immigration Legal Resource Center: Red Cards [ Spanish | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Tagalog]
Your Rights: You have certain rights if questioned or pulled over.
- ACLU: If law enforcement asks [ Spanish | Urdu | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Simplified Chinese]
- USAHello: basic rights [Spanish | Arabic | Persian | Swahili]
- United We Dream: know your rights [Spanish]
What to do if ICE comes to your door?
- Informed Immigrant: If ICE comes to your door
- ACLU: If ICE is at your door [Spanish | Urdu | Arabic | Haitian Creole | Russian | Mandarin]
What to do if ICE comes to your workplace?
- Informed Immigrant: If you are at work
What to do if ICE questions, detains, or arrests you as a U.S. Citizen?
- iAmerica: ICE interactions with U.S. citizens
What to do in an immigration raid?
- Informed Immigrant: How to Prepare For Immigration Raids
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.: Rapid Response Toolkit to Help Advocates Prepare Their Communities For ICE Raids And Detentions
- Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition: A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids
What is a family preparation plan? A family preparation plan is a comprehensive plan in case of immigration emergencies, regardless of immigration status. Many organizations provide step-by-step instructions.
- Immigrant Legal Resources Center: Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan [Spanish]
Information by Category
Adjustment of Status and Naturalization
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.: Creating a Citizenship Preparation Program Toolkit
Asylum
- Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project: Consider Taking These Steps Before January 2025 [Spanish]
Deportation Defense
What is deportation defense? Deportation defense can include community-led campaigns to stop the deportation of community members using legal interventions and community advocacy to highlight that community member’s contributions to society.
- Make the Road New York: Deportation Defense Manual [Spanish]
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
What is DACA? DACA has allowed young immigrants who grew up in the U.S. to seek temporary protection from deportation and to have the ability to work. It’s fate is currently being litigated in the courts.
- National Immigration Law Center: Frequently Asked Questions: Latest on DACA
Deferred Enforced Departure
What is DED? DED allows foreign nationals to be protected from deportation and have the opportunity to work. DED is granted through the President’s foreign relations power.
- Visit uscis.gov for more information.
Non-Immigrant Visas
- Cornell Law School & President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration: FAQ Regarding Biden’s Nonimmigrant Visa Policy Changes
- Higher Ed Immigration Portal: Sponsoring DACA Recipients and other Dreamers for Employment-Based Visas
Sensitive Locations
- Read an FAQ on Sensitive Locations/Protected Areas (Updated December 2024) from Global Refuge, following media reports that the Trump Administration may revise this policy.
Temporary Protected Status
What is TPS? TPS may be designated by the Department of Homeland Security in cases of ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions which prevent individuals from safely returning home. Individuals must meet certain presence requirements but may be eligible to remain in the country during the designation period and obtain work authorization.
- Visit uscis.gov for more information.
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.: Latest on TPS and DACA
- Alianza America: Re-registration Information for beneficiaries from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua [Spanish]
Unaccompanied Children & Sponsors
- ImportaMi/International Rescue Committee: Know Your Rights Guide for Immigrant Children and Young Adults [Spanish]
CRISIS RESOURCES
Find Legal Help
- Go to www.ailalawyer.org to connect with a lawyer in your area.
Find Mental Health Help
- National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Helpline: 800-950-NAMI (6264) or reach out to info@nami.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental health Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 800-622-HELP (4357)
- Healing Horizons, Trauma Informed care for immigrants and asylum seekers: Healing Horizons
Trafficking Hotline
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or Text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
- Indicator Card: This card provides a brief list of common indicators of human trafficking, the difference between human smuggling and human trafficking, and a DHS reporting option. [Spanish | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Dari | Haitian Creole | Urdu ]
