How to Create a Family Safety Plan for ICE Enforcement — 2026 Guide

Having a family safety plan in place before an ICE encounter happens can protect your family and reduce panic in a stressful situation. This guide covers everything you should prepare.

Designate Emergency Contacts

Choose 2-3 trusted people who can help in an emergency:

• A trusted friend or family member who is a US citizen or legal permanent resident
• An immigration attorney (keep their number memorized, not just in your phone)
• A community organization that provides immigration support

Make sure every family member knows these contacts by heart.

Prepare a Power of Attorney for Your Children

If you are detained, someone needs legal authority to care for your children. A power of attorney (POA) document allows a trusted person to:

• Make medical decisions for your children
• Enroll them in school
• Handle day-to-day care decisions

You can get a POA form from an attorney or legal aid organization. Some states have standard forms available at no cost. Keep signed copies with your trusted person and in your emergency document folder.

Create an Emergency Document Folder

Keep copies of these documents in a secure location that a trusted person can access:

• Birth certificates for all family members
• Passports and immigration documents
• Social Security cards
• Medical records and prescription information
• School records for children
• Power of attorney documents
• List of emergency contacts with phone numbers
• List of all medications family members take
• Bank account information
• Lease agreement or mortgage documents

Important: Do not carry original immigration documents with you daily. Keep them secure at home. If detained, having copies readily available helps your attorney.

Prepare Your Children

Age-appropriate preparation helps children stay calm:

• Teach children not to open the door for strangers
• Make sure they know their full name, address, and a trusted adult's phone number
• Explain in simple terms that some people in uniforms may come to the door, and the plan is to not open it
• Identify a safe person at school (teacher, counselor) your child can go to if something happens
• Schools cannot release children to ICE without a court order — inform the school in writing about who is authorized to pick up your children

Know Your Rights Card

Carry a "know your rights" card with you at all times. The card should state:

"I am exercising my right to remain silent. I do not consent to a search. I wish to speak with an attorney."

You can download printable cards from the ACLU website or create your own with this text in English and Spanish.

Prepare Your Home

• Keep doors locked at all times
• Use peepholes or door cameras to see who is outside before responding
• Post a "know your rights" reminder near the front door for all household members
• Keep your phone charged and accessible

Workplace Preparation

• Know your rights at work — ICE needs a judicial warrant to enter non-public areas of a workplace
• Know your employer's policy on ICE visits
• Have a trusted coworker who can contact your family if something happens

Stay Informed

Monitor ICE activity in your community using SpotICE. Our real-time map shows community-reported ICE checkpoints and raids, updated continuously. Checking daily helps you make informed decisions about travel routes and timing.