As deadly wildfires devastate our greater Los Angeles region, AJSOCAL is heartbroken for the tragic losses endured by so many living in our communities. These fires, already considered the most destructive in Southern California history, have displaced over 88,000 LA residents, burned 12,000 structures, scorched over 40,000 acres, and of January 15, have taken 25 precious lives from us.

While our hearts mourn these unfathomable losses, we cannot express enough gratitude to our first responders who are doing everything in their power to fight these fires, save lives, and save our homes. We are further heartened and inspired by the strength of spirit of our Los Angeles community, from the survivors who persevere despite unconscionable grief, to those redefining the bounds what it means to be a good neighbor through astonishing displays of generosity, hospitality, and love to those in need.

These appalling infernos have not discriminated on whose lives to leave in ruins. And while we mourn the pain of all losses stemming from this natural disaster, we further acknowledge the significant immigrant populations that are among those afflicted. Tragically, those who felt vulnerable due to recent anti-immigrant rhetoric and threats of hostile immigration enforcement by the incoming administration, are exponentially more anxious due to immigration documentation potentially being lost, damaged, or being inaccessible due to the fires.

For our precious immigrant populations who have lost their immigration documents, please consider:

For Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)

• Timely file a Form I-90 application to replace your permanent resident card.
• If you are represented by an immigration attorney or have been previously, reach out to them to ask if they have a copy of your card, or approval notice, either of which can serve as a placeholder until your replacement card arrives. If you have also lost records of your pending or old case documents, please request this from them as well.
• If you are employed, your employer may have a copy of your Green Card on file and you can ask for a copy.
• If you cannot reach your attorney or prior attorney, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the appropriate Federal agency, depending on your type of immigration case.

For DACA Recipients

• Timely refile a Form I-765 application to replace your lost or destroyed employment authorization card. DO NOT refile your Form I-821D, unless you are currently eligible for renewal (within 150 days of your employment authorization card expiring).
• If you are employed, your employer may have a copy of your Employment Authorization Document card on file and you can ask for a copy.
• As many have filed their most recent DACA renewals online, you can sign onto your USCIS Online Portal account (https://my.uscis.gov/) and access prior documents and approval notices to try locating your I-797 approval notice.
• Your current or prior attorney may have a copy of your approval notice or case file, which you can request for your records.
• If you cannot reach your attorney or prior attorney, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the appropriate Federal agency, depending on your type of immigration case.

For Undocumented and/or Waiting on Pending Immigration Application 

• If you are represented by an immigration attorney or have been previously represented by an immigration attorney, reach out to them to ask for copies of your records, what has been filed, approval notices, or other documents which you have shared with them.
• If you were not represented by an attorney, cannot reach your attorney or prior attorney,consider filing a FOIA request with the appropriate Federal agency, depending on your type of immigration case.
• Consider keeping a Know Your Rights Card with you to protect against unlawful immigration enforcement. Please contact us at the numbers below if you need one, or if possible, you can print one out in various languages (https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas).
• If you are undocumented and have lost documents that provide proof of your presence in the United States for the past 2 years- you can try your bank, utility, or medical provider websites to best replace what you may have lost. You can also ask your employer how best to obtain copies of old W-2, 1099, or paystubs if you need to replace those.
• If you cannot reach your attorney or prior attorney, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the appropriate Federal agency, depending on your type of immigration case.

If you have Recently Naturalized

• Timely apply for an I-565 replacement of your damaged or lost naturalization certificate.

In light of this continuing unprecedented natural disaster, if you are a victim of fires, and your immigration documents have been lost or destroyed by this recent tragedy, AJSOCAL may be able to help you apply to recover them. This may include replacement of lost greencards, Certificates of Citizenship, employment authorization documents, or other important immigration documentation.

Our hearts are with you, please call if we can help.

ENGLISH: 888.349.9695
普通话/广东话 (Chinese): 800.520.2356
한국어 (Korean): 800.867.3640
ខ្មែរ (Khmer): 800.867.3126
TAGALOG (Filipino): 855.300.2552
हिन्दी (Hindi): 855.971.2552
ภาษาไทย (Thai): 800.914.9583
TIẾNG VIỆT (Vietnamese): 714.477.2958

The U.S. Supreme court approved an application for stay in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo allowing roving ICE patrols to continue conducting immigration raids and stops utilizing racial profiling.

This decision sends shockwaves throughout our nation, stirring confusion and fear into our immigrant communities who will disparately suffer the impact of this confounding ruling.

All peoples in communities of color will be influenced by this decision, regardless of whether a U.S. Citizen or undocumented. Thus, what we carry on our persons can help protect us in these times of indiscriminate ICE raids.

U.S Citizens

• The law does not require U.S. Citizens to carry proof of their citizenship, and depending on personal conviction, we all have the 5th amendment right to remain silent.
• However, some are choosing to carry on their persons proof of citizenship, which can include:
  o Actual U.S. Passport Book or Card, Copy of U.S. Passport Identification page,
  o Copy of U.S. Naturalization Certificate,
  o Copy of Birth Certificate proving birth in a U.S. territory.
• If you choose to carry originals, do everything possible not to lose them, as replacements take time and are expensive.
• If you choose not to carry proof, you have the right to clearly state you are a U.S. Citizen, and if you are free to leave.
• We advise not taking pictures of citizenship proof on your mobile device and showing it to an ICE agent, as you may be giving consent for them to search your phone.

U.S. Legal Permanent Residents

• The regulation at INA § 264(e) requires all legal permanent residents over the age of 18 to carry their green cards on them at all times.
• Please do not let your green cards expire. If expired file an I-90 Applicant to Replace Permanent Resident Card, right away.
• If your green card has expired and you’ve filed an I-90, make a copy of your I-797 receipt notice and keep with you with the expired card.

Undocumented

• Do not carry a foreign passport, or any proof of foreign nationality on your person
• Know you have the right to remain silent by the 5th Amendment of the Constitution.
• Memorize or write down and keep with you a list of important phone number contacts such as:
  o Your Lawyer (keep their business card on you)
  o A trusted Community Organization
  o Designated Family Member or Trusted Friend
• The Red Card- which along with remaining silent, can be presented to protect your constitutional rights.

DACA Recipients

• Keep an unexpired Employment Authorization Document (I-766 Work Permit) with you.
• Keep with you a Copy of your I-797 DACA (I-821D) Approval Notice making sure the approval date ranges are still current.
• If your DACA/Work Permit is expired and you are pending renewal, carry with you a Copy of the I-797 Receipt Notice proving your DACA application is pending.
• If you were previously lawfully admitted at a U.S. point of entry , keep with you a printout of your I-94, which can be relevant for a possible future bond hearing. It can be found and printed after entering information at:  https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search
• If you live in Texas, a 5th Circuit Federal Court Decision in Texas v. U.S. may further impact the DACA program as construed within state lines. If you are a current DACA holder, the protections and work authorization are still valid, however, if you are seeking renewal as a Texas resident, please consult a licensed attorney.

Non-Immigrants

• Many immigrants are lawfully present in America via limited term, Non-Immigrant Status. Common types of Non-Immigrant status are: Students (F-1), Business Visitors & Tourists (B-1, B-2), Victims of Crime (U), Treaty Traders & Investors (E-1, E-2), Specialty Occupation (H-1B), and Transfer Employees (L-1A, L-1B).
• If you filed for a Change of Nonimmigrant Status I-539, and received an I-797 Approval Notice, keep a copy of that notice with you.
• Please keep on you a printout of your I-94, which can prove your legal status in the U.S. It can be found and printed after entering information at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search
• If you filed for a Change of Nonimmigrant Status I-539, and have a pending application, please keep on you the I-797 Receipt Notice along with your I-94 printout.
• If you applied overseas through an Embassy, and entered with a Non-Immigrant Visa, make a Copy of your Visa page located in your foreign passport, and keep it on your person, along with your I-94 printout. Do not keep your foreign passport on your person.
• If you were admitted via the Visa Waiver program, please printout the “Authorization Approved” screen on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.

Pending Green Card Cases (Asylum, VAWA, Adjustment of Status)

• If you are applying for Legal Permanent Residence, but still have underlying status via Non-Immigrant Visa, keep proofs of Nonimmigrant status mentioned in above section.
• Make a copy of relevant I-797 Receipt notices proving pending cases and keep with you.
• If you were issued an Employment Authorization Document (I-766 Work Permit) and it is not expired, keep that with you.
• Immigration history can be complex. You may have a relevant admission proving immigration history on your I-94. It can be printed after entering information at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search

• State and Local Police (i.e. Highway patrol, etc) CANNOT enforce immigration law. They cannot, and should not, be asking about your immigration history, status, or immigration paperwork.
• Only ICE, CBP, or a Federal Agent can enforce immigration law.  
• Oftentimes, ICE, CBP or a Federal Agent may say they are “police” or have vests on that say “police”, but you can ask them if they are from ICE or CBP if you are not sure.  

• Do not open the door.  
• If an ICE Officer or Federal Agent shows up to your home you do not have to open the door unless they have a valid warrant signed by a judge.  
• A warrant signed by an ICE Officer or Immigration Officer does not allow them to enter your home. Only one signed by a Judge allows them to enter your home without your permission.  
• If the officer says they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge, have them slide it under the door or hold it up to a window. If you can take a photo of it with your phone, do so.  
• If the warrant does not have your correct name, address, or is not signed by a judge you do not have to open the door.  
• Do not open the door as they may view that as allowing them inside your home.  
• Do not invite or consent to the ICE Officer or Federal Agent entering your home.   
• You have the right to remain silent.  
• You do not need to speak or say anything to the ICE Officer or answer any of their questions.  
• Do not answer any questions related to where you were born, how you entered the U.S., or any other immigration related questions.  
• If you choose to remain silent, say “I choose to remain silent.”  
• It is extremely important that you do not show any false documents and do not lie.  
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.  
• If you have been detained by Immigration Officers you have the right to seek an attorney and to receive a phone call from your attorney.  
• If you do not have an attorney, you may tell the Immigration Officers that you want to speak with one or you can ask for a list of pro bono attorneys.  
• You can refuse to sign any and all paperwork presented to you. If you choose to sign something, make sure you completely understand what you are signing.

• You have the right to remain silent.  
• You may ask if you are being detained and if you are free to leave. If you are not being detained, calmly leave and walk away. If you are being detained, say you want to remain silent.  
• You can refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.  
• You do not need to speak or say anything to the ICE Officer or answer any of their questions.  
• Do not answer any questions related to where you were born, how you entered the U.S., or any other immigration related questions.  
• If you choose to remain silent, say “I choose to remain silent.”  
• It is extremely important that you do not show any false documents and do not lie. 
• You may refuse to be searched .
• If you are stopped but not arrested or detained you can refuse to be searched or have your items searched. An officer may perform a “pat down” if they have reasonable suspicion that you have a weapon.  
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.  
• If you have been detained by Immigration Officers you have the right to seek an attorney and to receive a phone call from your attorney.  
• If you do not have an attorney, you may tell the Immigration Officers that you want to speak with one or you can ask for a list of pro bono attorneys.  
• You can refuse to sign any and all paperwork presented to you. If you choose to sign something, make sure you completely understand what you are signing. 

• You have the right to remain silent.  
• You may ask if you are being detained and if you are free to leave. If you are not being detained, calmly leave and drive away. If you are being detained, say you want to remain silent.  
• If you are the driver, you must show your driver’s license if requested but do not share identity documents that say what country you are from. 
• If you are the passenger, you do not have to show your ID or any personal information.  
• ICE can order you out of the car for “officer safety.” ICE can also do a “pat down” for officer safety as well. ICE cannot search your belongings or inside your car without a warrant signed by a judge or by the driver’s consent.  
• Do not answer any questions related to where you were born, how you entered the U.S., or any other immigration related questions. 
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.  
• If you have been detained by Immigration Officers you have the right to seek an attorney and to receive a phone call from your attorney.  
• If you do not have an attorney, you may tell the Immigration Officers that you want to speak with one or you can ask for a list of pro bono attorneys.  
• You can refuse to sign any and all paperwork presented to you. If you choose to sign something, make sure you completely understand what you are signing. 

• Do not open the door and do not run. 
• ICE and Immigration Officials may not enter the part of your workplace that is not open to the public unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge.  
• A warrant signed by an ICE Officer or Immigration Officer does not allow them to enter your workplace. Only one signed by a Judge allows them to enter your workplace without your permission. 
• An employer can prohibit ICE or an Immigration Official from entering the workplace without a search warrant signed by a Judge.  
• If ICE does enter your workplace do not run or lie.  
• You have the right to remain silent.  
• You do not need to speak or say anything to the ICE Officer or answer any of their questions.  
• Do not answer any questions related to where you were born, how you entered the U.S., or any other immigration related questions.  
• If you choose to remain silent, say “I choose to remain silent.”  
• It is extremely important that you do not show any false documents and do not lie. 
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.  
• If you have been detained by Immigration Officers you have the right to seek an attorney and to receive a phone call from your attorney.  
• If you do not have an attorney, you may tell the Immigration Officers that you want to speak with one or you can ask for a list of pro bono attorneys.  
• You can refuse to sign any and all paperwork presented to you. If you choose to sign something, make sure you completely understand what you are signing.

Everyone – both documented and undocumented persons – have rights in this country.

• You have the right to remain silent.
• You have the right to demand a warrant before letting anyone into your home.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
• You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
• You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with a lawyer.

ICE at Your Door. What do you do?

• Do not open the door for ICE or any police officer without a signed warrant.
• You do not need to open the door unless an ICE agent can show you a warrant signed by a judge with your specific and correct name and address on it.
• If ICE knocks on your door, ask them to slide the search warrant under the door or show it through a window.
• If ICE or the police do not have this, then you do not have to open the door. Once you open the door, ICE may interpret that as allowing them to enter your home.

Remain calm and do not try to run away. If you do, ICE or the police may use that against you.

Know Your Rights: When ICE is Outside Your Doors

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The Know Your Rights Red Cards were created to help people assert their rights and defend themselves against constitutional violations. Knowing and asserting rights can make a huge difference in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home. Red cards provide critical information on how to assert these rights, along with an explanation to ICE agents that the individual is indeed asserting their rights.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT
English | Chinese | Japanese | Khmer | Korean | Vietnamese

NONPROFITS CAN ORDER Red Cards from Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

It is important to stay educated regarding your status and your immigration case. Knowing what options you may or may not have will protect you from scams and will also provide you with information that can provide clarity for you.

• Talk to a reputable immigration service provider about your immigration options.
• ONLY licensed lawyers may provide immigration advice and services on your case.

Check online if your lawyer is licensed to practice law
You can verify an attorney’s credentials with the state bar in the state where they are licensed. The Department of Justice also keeps a list of attorneys who are no longer able to practice: www.justice.gov/eoir/list-of-currently-disciplined-practitioners

Legal Service Providers

• For help with your immigration case, click this link for reputable free or low-cost immigration service providers in California.
• Non-Profit Legal Services Provider in U.S.: National Immigration Legal Services Directory – Nonprofit Resource Center

To protect yourself from immigration fraud, please visit: ajsocal.org/immigration/#immigration-fraud

It is critical for immigrant families to think ahead and set more concrete plans for immigration emergencies that can arise. This toolkit from Immigrant Legal Resource Center gives guidance on how to make a child care plan.

Decide What Kind of a Child Care Plan You Want to Put in Place
There are various ways to plan for another adult to care for your child if you are unable to do so. Some of the options, especially for California are:

1. Verbal Agreement: The most informal and easy arrangement is to let another adult know of your wishes for your child and to verbally agree with them that they will carry out your wishes to care for your child if you cannot. You do not need to complete any forms or legal documents, and such an agreement will not affect your parental rights. However, your chosen caregiver will NOT have legal authority to make medical or school-related decisions on behalf of your child, which would be problematic if you were deported and unable to care for your child for an extended period of time.
2. Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (“CAA”): In California you have the option to have that adult complete a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (“CAA”), which allows them to make certain school and medical decisions on behalf of your child. It does not affect your parental rights (you still have custody and control of your child). Please note: the included Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit can only be used in California.
3. Guardianship. The most formal arrangement is to have a court appoint a guardian for your child. The benefit of guardianship is that once someone has been appointed as a guardian by a California Probate Court, that person has full legal and physical custody of your child, meaning they can make decisions on behalf of your child. Please note: When a guardian is appointed, this does not terminate parental rights, but it does suspend them while the guardianship is in place. The drawback of guardianship is that it must be terminated by the Probate Court in order to get your parental rights back. Please note you must file a petition in the Probate Court requesting the court to terminate the guardianship and it is up to the Judge to decide on what the best option for your child is.

Keep in mind that in California you cannot grant another person guardianship of your child informally or through a power of attorney – only a state court can do that. However, you can prepare a Form GC-211 to nominate a specific person to be the guardian of your child. The court will then consider Form GC-211 if and when a guardianship petition is filed. You can also make the nomination conditional upon your detention and/or deportation by completing an attachment to the form GC-211 that specifies when the nomination will be effective. Nominating someone else to have legal custody of your child is a serious decision; please connect with a trusted legal services provider to get more information.

A Note on Power of Attorney. A power of attorney is a written document that you can sign to grant another person the authority to act on your behalf in specified ways. For example, a power of attorney may be used to designate another person to handle your finances, make business decisions, use your money to pay your rent or mortgage, use your money to provide for your child, and similar actions. In California, we do not recommend that a power of attorney be used to designate another person to care for your child. While a power of attorney may be a good option in other states, in California, it cannot be used to transfer custody of your children to another person (only a state court can do that). It may be possible to use a power of attorney to grant someone else the authority to make medical and educational decisions on behalf of your child, but in California completing the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit is a simpler and less costly way to do the same thing.

Write Down Instructions if Your Child Has Any Medical Conditions and /or Takes Any Medications
Make sure to write down any medical conditions or allergies your child has, as well as any medications, doctor and health insurance information. Keep a copy of this information in your important documents file. Give a copy to your child’s school and the adult you designate to care for your child. Let your child know where to find this information if you are not around.

Make Sure Your Children All Have Passports
If your child was born in the United States, visit www.travel.state.gov for more information on obtaining a U.S. passport. If your child was born in a different country, check with the embassy or consulate for more information on obtaining a passport.

Inform Your Family and Emergency Contacts About How to Find You if You Are Detained by ICE
Family members can use the ICE detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/homePage.do to find someone in ICE custody. Be sure your family and emergency contacts have a copy of your A-Number (your registration number found on your immigration documents from ICE), if you have
one.

Talk to Your Family About Your Plan
Without worrying them, assure your children that they will be taken care of if for some reason you are unable to care for them, even for a short time. Let them know who will care for them until you can.

Source: Immigrant Legal Resource Center

• Never pay for blank government forms.
• Government forms are FREE and can be accessed by anyone on the internet.
• There may be corresponding government filing fees with your application that can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator
• Never  sign a blank form or document that has false information on it.
• Never  sign a document that you don’t understand. Make sure you ask the attorney to explain any documents, legal procedures, and the basis of your eligibility to you.

ONLY licensed lawyers may provide immigration advice and services on your case.

For help with your immigration case, please go to this link for reputable free or low-cost immigration service providers.

• Check online if your lawyer is licensed to practice law
• For a California attorney*:
  • Ask for their bar number (a six-digit number).
  • Check the bar number on the California State Bar website to see if your lawyer has ever been disciplined or suspended. (ex: California State Bar Attorney Search

* If your lawyer is licensed in another state, request their bar number and the state they are licensed in to verify they can practice law.

POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Report the incident to your local police department and get an official police report of the incident that acts as proof of what happened to you.

• File a report online or call the LAPD non-emergency line
• Phone: 213-928-8223

L.A. COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
Report the incident to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Notario Fraud Unit so they can press criminal charges against the Notario

• Phone: 213-257- 2450

CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT:
Report the incident to a Consumer Protection Unit, who protects consumers and prevents businesses from engaging in fraudulent activities or illegal business practices.

• The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs
• Phone: 213-974-1452

** If you live outside of Los Angeles County, please refer to your local agencies.

If you have any doubts about whether someone claiming to be from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) believe they are an imposter, you should contact USCIS customer service at 800-375-5283.