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
Youth Defender Immigration Tip Sheet
Released March 2025.
Virtual Appearance Checklist
Released March 2025.
Juvenile Defender’s Guide to Immigration Issues in Juvenile Proceedings
Released August 2017.
Ten Reasons to Ask Clients about Citizenship
Released October 2013.
Guidance for Youth Defenders
A Common-Law Privilege To Protect State and Local Courts During the Crimmigration Crisis
Released October 2017.
After Week 1: Updates and FAQs (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
B.R. v. Garland (9th Circuit)
Released February 2022. Jurisdiction: California
Children’s Immigration Law Academy Pro Bono Guide
Released October 2023.
Cultural Competency and Humility when Representing UCs
Released November 2019.
Demystifying Removal Proceedings (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)
Released February 2025. Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Deportation Defense Manual
Released August 2022. Jurisdiction: New York
Family Attorneys, How to Advise Immigrant Clients on ICE in the Courts
Released May 2018. Jurisdiction: New York
ICE Detainers in State Court (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)
Released December 2024. Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Immigration Enforcement Update: Immigration Related Executive Orders (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
KIND Immigration Consequences of Delinquency and Crimes
Released March 2017.
Overview of Seeking SIJS Findings in Juvenile Court
Released September 2023. Jurisdiction: California
Practice Advisory: The Laken Riley Act’s Mandatory Detention Provisions
Released February 2025.
Practicing Trauma-Informed Care in Client Meetings
Released June 2023.
Quick Reference Chart on the Immigration Consequences of Delinquency
Released May 2022.
The Laken Riley Act & Juvenile Delinquency
Released February 2025.
The Law and Lawlessness of U.S. Immigration Detention
Released March 2025.
The Road to Slow Deportation
Released March 2025.
Tips for Working with Migrant Children and Trauma-Informed Lawyering
Released October 2023.
What are the Immigration Consequences of Delinquency?
Released March 2020.
What Is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)?
Released May 2024.
Know Your Rights and Community Resources
#CommunitiesNotCages: Toolkit to Fight Detention and Deportations
Released April 2025.
Checklist: Sharing Videos of Immigration Enforcement
Released December 2018.
Community Explainer: Laken Riley Act (National Immigration Project)
Released January 2025.
Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin and Immigration Status
Released August 2021.
Family Preparedness Plan (KIND)
Released February 2025.
Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.
Released February 2025.
Fourth Amendment Toolkit for Organizations
Released March 2025.
How Can Age Affect my Immigration Relief Options?
Released June 2024.
Immigration Arrests & Raids: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Rights
Released March 2022.
Know Your Rights Cards (CLINIC)
Released February 2017.
Know Your Rights Cards: How to Use (CLINIC)
Released February 2017.
Know Your Rights flyers (CLINIC)
Released January 2025.
Know Your Rights flyers (KIND)
Released February 2025.
Know Your Rights When Interacting with Immigration Officers (ICE) (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights)
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Illinois
Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Home (American Immigration Lawyers Association)
Released November 2017.
Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Work Place (American Immigration Lawyers Association)
Released November 2017.
Know Your Rights: If ICE Stops You in Public (American Immigration Lawyers Association)
Released November 2017.
Legal Service Provider List for Unaccompanied Children (Texas)
Released October 2024. Jurisdiction: Texas
Protecting Access to Education for Migratory Children
Released June 2023.
Real or Rumor: How to Verify Online Reports of ICE Raids
Released February 2020.
Red Cards (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
Released February 2025.
Red Cards: How to Use (Immigrant Legal Resource Center)
Released February 2025.
Step by Step Family Preparedness Plan
Released November 2024.
Stop and Identify Statutes in the United States
Released February 2018.
The Rights of Immigrants in Family Court (New York State Family Court)
Released November 2022. Jurisdiction: New York
Using Your #RightToRecord Immigration Enforcement
Released March 2020.
Week 1 Under Donald Trump 2.0 (National Immigration Project)
Released January 2025.
Your Rights in an Immigration Interview While in Massachusetts Jails or Prisons (Massachusetts CPCS Immigration Impact Unit)
Released January 2017. Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Youth Rights Walletcard (KIND)
Released February 2025.
Guidance for Other Professionals
10 Strategies for how Schools Should Respond to Help Children Impacted by ICE Raids
Released January 2025.
ABA CILA Fact Sheet: Unaccompanied Children at the Border
Released October 2024.
ACLU Ohio Letter to School Officials re: Immigrant Student Rights
Released February 2025. Jurisdiction: Ohio
ACLU Press Release: Why Participation in ICE’s 287(g) Agreements and Detention Contracts Will Hurt the People You Serve and Protect
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Ohio
CPS Guidelines for Responding if a Student Is Stranded Due to ICE Detention of Parents or Guardians (Chicago)
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Illinois
Dear Colleague Letter- School Enrollment Procedures
Released May 2014.
End School Pushout for Black Girls and Other Girls of Color
Released September 2019.
FAQs on Immigration & Enforcement Policy in 2025 (The School Superintendents Association)
Released January 2025.
Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement
Released December 2024. Jurisdiction: New York
Immigration Enforcement Actions at Maryland Schools
Released January 2025. Jurisdiction: Maryland
Newcomer Immigrant Youth in Juvenile Justice Court Proceedings: A Trauma-Informed Approach
Released January 2019.
Protecting Immigrant Students Action Kit
Released March 2025.
Six Amendments to The Immigration and Nationality Act Made by the Laken Riley Act
Released January 2025.
Stronger Together
Released October 2015.
The Immigration Subpoena Power
Released January 2025.
The Inappropriate Use of Juvenile Records in Immigration Discretion
Released November 2022.
What to Do if Immigration/ICE Arrives at Law Clinics
Released February 2025.
Other Organizations with Immigration Expertise
Directories of Immigration Attorneys & Organizations
Recording & Reporting Abuses
Resources by State
- California: Immigration resources: Help for children and families
- Connecticut: Immigration Resources: Family Preparedness Plan
- DC: DC Metro Families United Guide
- Georgia: Immigrant Family Preparedness: A Guide for Georgia Families
- Maryland: Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center
- Massachusetts: Family Preparedness Packets; Family Preparedness Plan
- New Jersey: Immigrants' Rights Toolkit
- New York: Have a plan in case of immigration arrest; Emergency Planning with Parents who Fear Deportation
- Rhode Island: Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island Family Preparedness Plan; Center for Justice Family Preparedness Plan
- Texas: Immigration Rights Resources
- Virginia: Rapid Response Toolkit
- Washington: Immigrant Safety Plan for Youth and Children; Plan de Inmigrantes para la Seguridad de los Jovenes y los Ninos
