In these pages the Diocese will try to present accurate information on immigration law as it stands today and changes as they occur. Recommendations provided by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and similar authoritative sources will appear for consideration, however, nothing in these pages should be considered as legal advice. Every person’s situation is unique, and only personal consultation with a licensed immigration attorney or Department of Justice (DOJ, formerly called BIA) accredited counselors can provide legal advice tailored to the individual.
For families with members that may be facing deportation, it is very important be prepared to meet ICE as they may appear at your home, on the street, while you are in a car or at work.
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. has prepared a Guide containing essential information of essential information. You can download a copy in several languages if you go to the website: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/know-your-rights-law-enforcement. A copy of the Spanish version is (here – attached) English version is (here-attached). These guides tell you what to do if Ice comes to your home, stops you in the streets or other public area, in your car or at work.
A Guide with more details about issues such as how to provide for children can be found at the Immigrant Legal Resources Center: https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/family_preparedness_plan_v2.pdf
If a person is possibly subject to deportation, particularly if they have already received deportation orders is the past, it is very important that the person obtain an immigration lawyer to represent them. The lawyer MUST be an attorney licensed in the state the person lives in, and be a member of the AILA, American Immigration Lawyers Association, all of whom are experienced in immigration law. If a person is detained by ICE they must be able to show that they have a lawyer representing them or ICE may delay contact with family or make it difficult for a lawyer to meet with the person after they are arrested.
It is very important that families facing possible deportations make a plans for about what happens to their spouses, the care of their children and property. A checklist for such a plan is included in the CLINIC Guide, with more detailed information in the Immigrant Legal Resources Guide. The advice of an attorney is important if you wish to have children and property in the hands of another person. Remember too, that US born children may not have any rights in another country, so it is necessary to contact your country’s consulate as part of the planning process.
Immigration Attorney List 2020
CLINIC has released a new web-based resource to help guide immigrant parents and their representatives as they put legal protections in place for families in case parents are detained or deported. Please click on Emergency Planning for immigrant families a 50 States Resource.
Justice for Immigrants Video Resources - has develope a new video resources on how to prepare for encounters with immigration enforcement authorities. All video resources by Justice for Immigrants can be found at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/news/video-resources/