Emergency Preparedness for Immigrant Families: A 50 State Resource

Purpose and Disclaimer

This resource contains select national and state-by-state resources to guide immigrants, legal service providers, and advocates as they assist families at risk of detention or deportation in planning to protect their families and property.

Disclaimer: The resources listed are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice. CLINIC does not specifically endorse the organizations or resources listed. Consular contact information was updated in April 2019. Other resources were current on the specific access date listed. This webpage will be updated periodically.

Introduction

Families at risk face a series of challenges and difficult decisions in preparing for the possibility of being separated from one another. Planning to ensure children (as well as other dependents) and financial assets are taken care of is crucial, and preparation can be complex. Each state has its own set of laws, legal forms, and processes related to appointing a guardian for a dependent or for financial planning.

CLINIC strongly urges families to work with qualified attorneys to assist with these procedures, as state laws and legal forms may not clearly apply to a detention or deportation scenario. For example, a legal form may be intended for a parent preparing for the possibility of becoming ill, but not applicable for the possibility of detention or deportation. Attorneys with expertise in these areas of law can guide families in making the best decision for their situation.

Clinic Planning Resources for Immigrant Families

• CLINIC Affiliate List helps you locate qualified legal representative in your area to assist with immigration legal matters.
• CLINIC Know Your Rights materials help you prepare for encounters with ICE officials or police.
• CLINIC Emergency Planning Guide helps you create a plan for your family in the event of an emergency .

Partner Organizations' Planning Resources for Immigrant Families

• Appleseed: Protecting Assets and Child Custody in the Face of Deportation
• Women's Refugee Commission: Resources for Families Facing Deportation and Separation
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) Resource Clearinghouse

Consular Hotlines

Mexican Consular Hotline: 1-855-463-6395. In addition, a number of Mexican consulates have emergency or 24-hour telephone numbers.

Other Hotlines: Selective consulates of other nations have emergency or 24-hour telephone numbers that may be obtained on consular websites or by dialing the main numbers for these consulates.

State-by-state Listing of Specific Resources in the 50 States and the District of Columbia

State Bar Associations and Pro Bono Bar Associations: State bar associations can assist with referrals to attorneys and organizations with expertise in the areas of law relevant to immigration and family law matters, such as, guardianship of minors, as well as estate planning.

Consular Contact Information: Country consulates throughout the United States and embassies' consular sections can assist their nationals with information and services, including responding to emergencies, and locating resources. CLINIC urges all non-U.S. citizens to register with their local consulate office to learn more about the resources and services they offer. The below state-by-state listing includes consular contact information by the nations of El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, and South Sudan.

Other Resources: This section lists additional state-specific resources that may be most helpful when planning ahead, as well as in emergencies. Resources include information about guardianship of minors and powers of attorney in support of dependent adults. Please note that a single link may lead to multiple resources.

For comments, questions, or new resources, please contact advocacy@cliniclegal.org.