Family Toolkit

Be ready. Know your rights. You are not alone.

Clear, plain-language help for families in Brooklyn and across New York. What to do at the door, how to plan for your children, and who to call. We never ask about immigration status.

Who to call Free legal help

This page is educational information, not legal advice. Laws and policies change, and every case is different. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.

Know your rights

Three moments, and what you can say.

At the door

You do not have to open the door. You can talk through it.
Ask who they are. Ask them to slide any warrant under the door or hold it up to a window.
A judge’s warrant shows a court’s name and a judge’s signature. A form from ICE alone does not give anyone the right to walk in.
Stay calm. Do not lie and do not hand over false papers.

“I do not consent to you entering.”

If you are stopped or questioned

You have the right to stay silent. You do not have to say where you were born or how you came here.
Ask, “Am I free to leave?” If the answer is yes, walk away calmly.
You can say no to a search of your bag, phone, or car.
Do not sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.

“I want to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer.”

If someone you love is detained

Write down their full name, date of birth, country of birth, and A-number if they have one.
Search for them in ICE’s online detainee locator. It can take a day or more for a name to appear.
Call a lawyer or a trusted legal service quickly. Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed result or asks for large cash payments.
Come to La Carpa on Saturday. You will find company and information.

ICE online detainee locator →

Family plan

An hour now can spare your family a lot later.

You do not need to do everything at once. Start with one card and share the rest with someone you trust.

Keep your papers together

Put IDs, passports, birth certificates, immigration papers, school and medical records in one folder. Keep copies somewhere safe, and send photos to a person you trust.

Learn two phone numbers by heart

If your phone is taken, you still need to reach someone. Memorize a family member’s number and a lawyer’s number, and write them down for your children.

Choose who will care for your children

Pick an adult they know and trust. Tell the school who may pick them up. Ask a lawyer about legal papers, such as a standby guardian or a limited power of attorney, so that person can make decisions for them.

Write down the daily details

Medicines, allergies, doctors, school schedules, who has the rent, and where the important keys are. A short page can save a family days of worry.

Plan for money

Decide who can reach your bank account, pay bills, and collect your last paycheck. If you can, set aside a small amount in a place that person can reach.

Talk with your children

In simple, calm words. Tell them who will look after them, that it is not their fault, and that they can ask questions at any time.

Hotlines

Who to call. Free and confidential.

New Americans Hotline (New York State)

Free and confidential help in more than 200 languages.

1-800-566-7636

ActionNYC

Free immigration legal help from trusted community organizations in New York City.

1-800-354-0365

NYC Office of Immigrant Affairs

City information on services and your rights.

212-788-7654

Emergency

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

911

Numbers and hours can change. If one does not connect, call 311 and ask for immigrant services, or write to us at info@dignitytoolkit.org.

Family report

Is your family member held at MDC Brooklyn? Tell us what you see.

Families see things nobody else sees. A short form, five minutes, no names and no case numbers. You choose what to share, and it never changes the help you get.

Read how it works →

More help