The suggestions here are general tips, not individualized legal advice.

• Keep original identity and personal documents in a safe place. It is recommended that you do not carry any foreign ID on you.
  
  
• Gather immigration records, criminal history documents, and proof of residence/presence and store them in a safe place. Keep a hard copy and a digital (electronic) copy of your identity documents and make sure a trusted friend or relative can access them. Examples include:
  
  
• Immigration documents: proof of your lawful entry or status, if applicable; any applications or notices submitted to or received from immigration; any documents showing your A# (alien number), if you have one.
  
  
• Criminal documents: certified certificates of disposition from courts and arrest records (including any dismissed or expunged matters).
  
  
• Proof of residence/presence in the U.S., such as any documents showing that you have been living in the U.S. from the time you entered. Some examples are: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, medical records, school records, telephone/utility bills, lease agreements, property or car deeds, medical records, birth certificates of children and custody documentation, marriage certificates, and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status of any family members.
  
  
• Any additional proof of family connections, employment history, and community involvement in the U.S. (referred to as “positive equities”).
  
  
• Memorize your “A” number if you have one, as well as the contact information of your family members/loved ones and of your immigration attorney, if you have one.
  
  
• Memorize or keep in a safe place any important medical information for yourself and your children, such as contact information for your doctor(s), and a list of any medical conditions you have and medications you take. Be sure to include dosages.
  
  
• Share ways that your loved ones can find out where you are and what the status of your court case is, if you are detained: (1) ICE’s online adult detainee locator; (2) local ICE office; (3) the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline number at 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free) or case status site.

Planning for your children if you are detained:

• Have a trusted point of contact who you can call, who has important information and numbers for your kids (for example, their medical needs, school contacts, activities schedule, and so on).
  
  
• Prepare a Power of Attorney, which is a legal document where you name another adult to act temporarily in your place on behalf of your child. It is a private agreement and can be cancelled at any time. It is not a binding custody agreement or transfer. Here is a sample; a notarized letter is not enough. You should not have to pay a lot of money to do this. If possible, designate a trusted adult who does not live in the same house as you or work in the same place as you, or who has legal status in the U.S.
  
  
• Prepare for the possibility that your children may need to travel or move outside the U.S. with you.

Learn more about your rights in an ICE encounter at Interactions With Ice—Know Your Rights.

This information last reviewed: Jan 29, 2025