Issues

Immigration

About This Issue

An arrest or juvenile court involvement may trigger immigration consequences for youth, including detention and deportation. It is critical to consider immigration consequences on every case and consult with an immigration attorney if you think your client could be at risk for immigration consequences and/or eligible for immigration relief.

On this page, we're compiling information and resources to assist youth defenders and advocates navigate these complicated and shifting challenges. You must be logged in as a registered youth defender to access some of the resources on this page. Please log in or register for an account.

If you have motions, briefs, or other resources that could be helpful to other youth defenders and advocates, please send them to us at inquiries@defendyouthrights.org.

Gault Center Resources

Guidance for Youth Defenders

Know Your Rights and Community Resources

Checklist: Sharing Videos of Immigration Enforcement

Community Explainer: Laken Riley Act (National Immigration Project)

Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin and Immigration Status

Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

How Can Age Affect my Immigration Relief Options?

Immigration Arrests & Raids: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Rights

Know Your Rights Cards (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights Cards: How to Use (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights flyers (CLINIC)

Know Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers (ICE) (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Home (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Work Place (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: If ICE Stops You in Public (American Immigration Lawyers Association)

Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Questioned, Arrested or Detained by Immigration and Other Law Enforcement (National Immigration Law Center)

Legal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Office of Refugee Resettlement)

Legal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Texas)

Lessons from East Tennessee: A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids

Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children

Real or Rumor: How to Verify Online Reports of ICE Raids

Red Cards (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Red Cards: How to Use (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan

Stop and Identify Statutes in the United States

The Rights of Immigrants in Family Court (New York State Family Court)

Using Your #RightToRecord Immigration Enforcement

Week 1 Under Donald Trump 2.0 (National Immigration Project)

Welcoming Immigrant Students in School

Guidance for Other Professionals

ABA CILA Fact Sheet: Unaccompanied Children at the Border

ACLU Ohio Letter to School Officials re: Immigrant Student Rights

ACLU Press Release: Why Participation in ICE’s 287(g) Agreements and Detention Contracts Will Hurt the People You Serve and Protect

CPS Guidelines for Responding if a Student Is Stranded Due to ICE Detention of Parents or Guardians (Chicago)

Dear Colleague Letter- School Enrollment Procedures

Derivative Citizenship- Lawful Permanent Resident Children Gaining Citizenship Through Parents’ Citizenship

FAQs on Immigration & Enforcement Policy in 2025 (The School Superintendents Association)

Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement

Immigration Enforcement Actions at Maryland Schools

Newcomer Immigrant Youth in Juvenile Justice Court Proceedings: A Trauma-Informed Approach

Setting the Record Straight About Sanctuary Policies: A Response to Threats Against Sanctuary Cities (National Immigration Project)

Stronger Together

The Inappropriate Use of Juvenile Records in Immigration Discretion

What to Do if Immigration/ICE Arrives at Law Clinics