Family Emergency Plan Guide
Legal documents represent static potential—they become effective only when embedded within a dynamic, actionable family emergency plan. This guide bridges the gap between sudden detention and seamless activation of legal contingencies.
The "If I Am Detained" Letter
Purpose
The master operational blueprint for your family's response to detention.
Critical Storage Rule
Never carry this letter on your person.
| Why | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Intelligence risk | Provides ICE with family structure information |
| Asset exposure | Reveals financial accounts and properties |
| Contact identification | Exposes support network |
Proper storage: Secure location at home or held by designated primary agent.
Required Contents
Section 1: Biographical Identifiers
| Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | Official identification |
| Date of birth | Verification |
| Alien Registration Number (A-Number) | 9-digit ICE tracking |
| Country of citizenship | Legal proceedings |
| Current address | Contact information |
Critical: The A-Number is indispensable for tracking in the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
Section 2: Legal Representation
| Information | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Immigration attorney name | Pre-vetted, retained |
| Attorney phone/email | Direct contact |
| Attorney address | Office location |
| G-28 instructions | File immediately to prevent remote transfer |
Strategic note: Filing Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance) immediately can prevent transfer to remote out-of-state facilities.
Section 3: Financial and Bond Instructions
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Bond payment instructions | Who pays, from which account |
| Payment requirements | Cashier's check or postal money order only |
| Payer requirements | Must have lawful U.S. status + valid ID |
| Bank account information | For family maintenance |
| Bill payment priorities | Mortgage, utilities, insurance |
Section 4: Childcare Directives
| Information | Location/Instructions |
|---|---|
| Caregiver affidavit location | Where document is stored |
| Children's passports | Storage location |
| Pediatrician contact | Name, phone, address |
| School administrators | Contact information |
| Childcare provider | Contact information |
| Medical insurance cards | Location |
Section 5: Asset Information
| Asset | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts | Account numbers, institutions, POA location |
| Safe deposit box | Location, key location, contents |
| Vehicle information | Titles, loan information |
| Property documents | Deeds, mortgage information |
| Business information | Operating instructions |
Emergency Contact Tree
Hierarchical Structure
Organize contacts to optimize response while minimizing risk.
Primary Contacts
Requirements: Must have lawful immigration status
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Contact #1 | First responder, activates plan |
| Contact #2 | Backup if #1 unavailable |
Tasks:
- Interact with law enforcement
- Contact ICE facilities
- Communicate with courts
- Manage attorney relationship
- Handle bond payment
Secondary Contacts
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Contact #3 | Logistical support |
| Contact #4 | Backup logistics |
Tasks:
- Retrieve children from school
- Manage home security
- Coordinate transportation
- Communicate with attorney
- Handle daily logistics
Tertiary Contacts
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Contact #5+ | Extended support |
Tasks:
- Long-term childcare support
- Financial assistance
- Emotional support
- Community coordination
Contact Vetting
All contacts must be vetted to ensure:
| Criterion | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Willing | Must accept responsibility without hesitation |
| Capable | Can handle financial and legal burdens |
| Available | Reachable 24/7 |
| Trustworthy | Will follow plan as directed |
| Informed | Understands their specific role |
School Notification
Provide schools with:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Updated authorized pickup list | Who can retrieve child |
| Emergency contact order | Priority sequence |
| Unauthorized persons | Who should NOT be given child |
| Special instructions | What to do if parent unreachable |
Children's Emergency Cards
Design Principles
| Include | Exclude |
|---|---|
| Primary caregiver name and phone | Parents' immigration status |
| Secondary contact phone | Parents' nationality |
| Medical conditions/allergies | Home address |
| Memorization prompt | Parents' A-Numbers |
| Detailed family information |
Age-Appropriate Information
| Age | Card Contents |
|---|---|
| Under 7 | Single contact number, basic info |
| 7-12 | Two contacts, simple instructions |
| 13+ | Full contact tree, more detailed instructions |
Required Memorization (Age 7+)
Children should memorize:
- Primary contact's phone number
- Their own full name and birth date
- A trusted adult's name
Card Storage
| Location | Format |
|---|---|
| Backpack | Laminated card |
| Wallet | Folded paper |
| Phone contacts | "ICE" entry (In Case of Emergency) |
Family Meeting Protocols
Reunification Locations
Establish multiple meeting points:
| Priority | Location Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Trusted relative's home | Grandmother's house |
| Secondary | Community location | Church, community center |
| Tertiary | Public location | Library, specific park |
Communication Protocol
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Attempt direct phone call |
| 2 | Send text message |
| 3 | Use encrypted app (Signal/WhatsApp) |
| 4 | Contact primary emergency contact |
| 5 | Proceed to primary meeting location |
Children's School Protocol
If parents are detained during school hours:
| Step | Child Should |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remain at school |
| 2 | Go to administrative office |
| 3 | Wait for authorized adult |
| 4 | NOT walk home to empty house |
| 5 | NOT leave with unauthorized person |
Communication Plan
Secure Messaging
| App | Use For |
|---|---|
| Signal | Primary secure communication |
| Backup, widely used | |
| Phone call | Urgent matters |
| Text | Quick updates |
Code Words (Optional)
Establish simple codes for sensitive communications:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Package arriving" | Enforcement approaching |
| "Red" | Emergency, activate plan |
| "Green" | All clear |
| "Umbrella" | Need to relocate |
Document Location Map
Create a simple map showing where documents are stored:
| Document | Location |
|---|---|
| "If Detained" letter | [Location] |
| Passports | [Location] |
| Birth certificates | [Location] |
| Immigration documents | [Location] |
| POA documents | [Location] |
| Caregiver affidavits | [Location] |
| Insurance cards | [Location] |
| Safe combination | [Location/Person] |
Provide this map to: Primary and secondary contacts
Practice and Drills
Why Practice Matters
Plans fail when participants are unaware of their roles.
Family Meeting Agenda
| Topic | Discussion Points |
|---|---|
| Document locations | Where everything is stored |
| Contact hierarchy | Who to call first, second, third |
| Meeting locations | Where to reunite |
| Children's instructions | Age-appropriate guidance |
| Questions | Address concerns |
Age-Appropriate Briefing
| Age | What to Communicate |
|---|---|
| 3-6 | "If you can't find us, call [Name]" |
| 7-10 | Emergency contacts, basic plan |
| 11-14 | Full plan, responsibilities |
| 15+ | Adult-level understanding, may have active role |
Practice Scenarios
| Scenario | Practice |
|---|---|
| Phone contact | Children call emergency contact |
| Meeting location | Drive to backup locations |
| Card information | Children recite memorized numbers |
Plan Maintenance
Update Triggers
Update plan when:
| Event | Updates Needed |
|---|---|
| Contact moves | New address, verify availability |
| Phone number changes | Update all cards and documents |
| Child ages | Age-appropriate information |
| School changes | New contacts, new pickup list |
| Caregiver changes | New designations |
| Attorney changes | New contact information |
| Life changes | Marriage, divorce, new children |
Regular Review
| Frequency | Action |
|---|---|
| Quarterly | Verify contact information |
| Annually | Review and update full plan |
| After any change | Immediate updates |
Printable Checklist
Immediate Actions (This Week)
- [ ] Draft "If I Am Detained" letter
- [ ] Create emergency contact tree
- [ ] Make children's emergency cards
- [ ] Identify document storage locations
- [ ] Brief primary contacts
Short-Term Actions (This Month)
- [ ] Notify schools of authorized pickups
- [ ] Hold family meeting
- [ ] Practice with children
- [ ] Distribute document location map
- [ ] Test communication plan
Ongoing
- [ ] Update contacts quarterly
- [ ] Review plan annually
- [ ] Practice periodically
- [ ] Update children's cards as they age
Related Resources
Last updated: March 24, 2026