Know Your Rights & Safety Plan: Resources for Immigrant Survivors
This is an uncertain, and scary, time for a lot of different reasons for many communities. For immigrant survivors, there have historically been barriers in accessing community resources and care. However, now those barriers are ever more present and dangerous with an executive order (EO) targeting birthright citizenship, which results in an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities across the state and country. It is important to note that this EO will negatively affect several communities, not just those who are undocumented.
For those who are impacted by these policies, just leaving the house can cause fear and anxiety, not knowing if ICE is at their grocery store, bank, school, or even church. It is also important to understand the level of anxiety and the uncertainty these anti-immigrant movement creates in children.
In response to this increased threat to safety, local, state, and national organizations have created information and tools to assist immigrant communities in navigating daily life. WCASA has compiled many of these resources below to help everyone understand their rights when confronted by ICE, as well as safety plan for situations that may arise. There is also information below for service providers on how to navigate if immigration officials come to their agency.
For more information on how to best serve immigrant survivors at your program, please connect with Alma Mann, Programs Coordinator, at almam@wcasa.org.
Know Your Rights: webpages with information on your rights
- We Have Rights – a good comprehensive website
- Know Your Rights: A Guide for Immigrants - United We Dream
- Know Your Rights with ICE - Immigrant Defense Project (shareable infographics on various ICE situations in various languages)
- Community Resources after the 2024 Election - NAPAWF
- Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE | National Immigrant Justice Center (this webpage has examples on different warrants ICE may have)
- Know Your Rights: A Guide to Your Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement | Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
- FAQ: AIS Policy Update and Resource Sharing
Red Cards: printable cards with information on our rights when confronted by immigration officials
Red Cards / Tarjetas Rojas | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
Avoid scams:
- Be Aware that Criminals and Scammers Target Immigrants
- ¡Alerta! Los criminales y estafadores se aprovechan de las personas inmigrantes
For families:
- Family Preparedness Plan - ILRC
- Plan de Preparación Familiar - ILRC
- Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA)
- Delegación de la Autoridad de los Padres (DOPA)
Miscellaneous sites:
- Centro Hispano in Madison has a resource page with safety planning resources, passport application, Know Your Rights list, and other information lists: RESOURCES — Homs
- Information for transgender and non-binary immigrants: ICE Raids - Transgender Law Center
- Voices de la Frontera provides trainings on immigrant rights: Know Your Rights - Voces De La Frontera
- National Immigration Law Center: Fact Sheet on the rescindment of protected areas from ICE
- API on GBV: FAQ - Immigration Enforcement and Victim Services Programs, 2024
- To stay informed on executive orders policies put forth by the Trump administration: Immigration Policy Tracking Project
For service providers:
- ICE Raid Guidance for Homeless Service Providers: National Homelessness Law Center
- Advisory: Are Victim Services Programs Liable for Criminal "Harboring" When They Work with Immigrant Survivors of Crime? - API on GBV
- Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement - New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
- A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace - NILC
- Safety Planning and Guidance for Gender-Based Violence Organizations - Esperanza United
- Resource List: Ensuring Access to Services for Immigrant Survivors — Alliance For Immigrant Survivors
- Know Your Rights Flyers | Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.