As cruel immigration enforcement continues to go unchecked, taking away mothers, fathers, and valued community members, many of us feel like we have no control over what happens to our loved ones.
While release from detention and pathways for immigration relief become more challenging each day, we hope for and work toward the best outcomes but also prepare for the worst case scenario.
If you or someone you know fear being detained and/or deported, even if you have permission to be in the United States, there are steps you can take to ensure you and your loved ones can take legal action. One of these steps is to start a preparedness folder, which you can leave with someone you trust and who has permanent immigration status. We share this list of documents that would be helpful to have in case of emergency.
Identification Documents
Birth certificate
Copy of passport
Employment Authorization Document
Marriage Certificate
Children’s birth certificates
Children’s passports
Proof of address
Immigration Documents
I-94
USCIS receipt notices
Copies of any applications filed with USCIS or EOIR (Immigration Court)
Notice to Appear
Hearing notices
ICE check-in information
Proof of Community Ties
Photos with family/friends/children
Proof of employment
Copies of tax returns
Letters of support (from employer, community/church, friends/relatives, children’s school)
Final disposition of any criminal charges
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