Family Safety Planning Session Keeping Families Together

Family Safety Planning Session Keeping Families Together
Note for title slide: Display this slide as participants gather. Script starts Slide 2. Script: Instructions for activities are included in the notes for each slide in this presentation. Also in the notes for each slide is a script of important information to say in BOLD font. For most slides, you will need to click Enter or the forward arrow for each bullet point to appear. Print the “Notes Pages” version of the presentation to view one slide per page with instructions and script. Please review the script thoroughly so you can adjust wording as needed and become comfortable with the script. A great deal of important content is scripted for each slide. Optional Handout: If slide handouts are desired for participants, print the “Handout” version of the presentation with 3 slides per page.

Family Safety Planning Session
Welcome and Introductions The presenter, clergy of host congregation, or other person may begin the session with a word of welcome, introductions of presenter(s), make any necessary announcements and offer prayer. For groups of 15 or fewer, all participants may introduce themselves to the entire group, sharing their names, where they currently live, and their countries of origin as desired. For larger groups, each person may introduce himself or herself to the two closest neighbors. Let’s introduce ourselves. Please stand (or turn to your two closest neighbors) to share your name, where you live and your country of origin.

LIRS is Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
About LIRS LIRS is Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Ministries of LIRS help… child migrants at risk, asylum seekers and torture survivors, and refugees. This session was designed by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). Started in 1939, this ministry helps child migrants at risk—children who came to the United States alone or who have become separated from family or guardians. LIRS also helps protect asylum seekers and torture survivors. LIRS is the second largest refugee resettlement agency in the United States.

LIRS Ministries are made possible by…
About LIRS LIRS Ministries are made possible by… Lutheran churches, networks of service providers, and donors, volunteers and advocates. Visit LIRS online at The ministry of LIRS is possible through partner church bodies—the Latvian Evangelical Church in America, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There are many ways that local churches are involved with LIRS, including the Be Not Afraid project. Today’s Know Your Rights session is part of the Be Not Afraid project, which is designed to help local churches serve immigrants in their communities. LIRS helps immigrants through networks of service providers—people and agencies across the country who manage children’s cases, provide legal services to asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants, and resettle refugees. The work of LIRS is also made possible by the support of individual donors that care about all immigrants. And the work of LIRS goes farther because of people who care so much that they volunteer their time to serve immigrants and to advocate for better immigration laws in the United States. To learn more about LIRS and to support its ministries, please check out the information table [point out where the table is] or visit

Be Not Afraid is a project of LIRS. Be Not Afraid tools
About Be Not Afraid Be Not Afraid is a project of LIRS. Be Not Afraid tools Know Your Rights Session Family Safety Planning Sessions Worship and Bible Study tools Raids Preparation tools Advocacy tools Be Not Afraid was designed to help local churches serve any immigrants their communities. In addition to today’s Know Your Rights session, churches can host the Family Safety Planning session, which helps families organize important documents and plan for what to do if there is a raid or other enforcement action that separates family members. Churches also use worship and Bible study tools to increase awareness of immigration issues along with faithful ways to take care of people. Raids preparation tools help congregations plan ahead for community needs if a raid were to happen. And advocacy tools help anyone speak up for immigration policies that are fair and humane and protect families. To learn more and to support the work of Be Not Afraid, see the information table [point out where the table is] or visit

By the end of this session we will…
Session Outcomes By the end of this session we will… identify support systems within the family and community and learn how to access each in the case of an immigration related emergency, and know how to create a family safety plan. Back to today’s Family Safety Planning Session. We will identify support systems within our extended families and our communities and discuss how to access those resources in case of an immigration-related emergency. We will also learn how to create safety plans and we’ll begin creating a plan for each of our families.

During this session we will…
Session Overview During this session we will… discuss real-life situations, map family and community resources, and use a guide to begin creating family safety plans. During today’s session we’ll discuss what we already know and what we have experienced. We’ll also discuss success factors from real life situations. Most importantly, we will look at helpful resources that we already have available. It’s easy to be afraid when we think about immigration related emergencies. Often what we need to keep our families safe already exists within our extended families, our churches, and in our communities. We also have a worksheet to guide us through the process of creating our safety plans.

The information in this session is general.
Note The information in this session is general. We will not be able to address specific or personal questions in this session. Please talk to an immigration attorney or specialist about personal concerns. Please remember that this is a general information session. Your personal questions should be directed to an immigration attorney or immigration specialist. We will provide a referral list of legal service providers here in the area. We cannot give you any specific legal advice. INSTRUCTIONS: As the session progresses, participants may still want to ask specific questions or explain personal circumstances. Respectfully let them know that they should share that information with an attorney or immigration specialist.

True or False? In the event of an immigration emergency, it is important to have the name and phone number of an attorney you can contact. Okay, let’s get started by testing what we know. When a new statement appears on the screen, tell me if it is true or false. In the event of an immigration emergency, it is important to have the name and phone number of an attorney you can contact. INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. True—It is important to identify an immigration attorney who can represent you in the case that you are arrested or detained by immigration officials.

True or False? Immigration officials will not detain parents who need to be at home to take care of their children. Immigration officials will not detain a parent who needs to be at home to take care of their children. INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. False—Immigration officials may decide to release a parent who is the primary caretaker of their children, but are under no obligation to do so.

True or False? In the event of an emergency, a school will allow any relative or friend to take a child home or to a safe place. In the event of an emergency, a school will allow any relative/friend to take a child home or to a safe place. INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. False—Most schools will not release a child into an adult’s care who has not been previously designated with express written permission to pick up that child.

True or False? People arrested by immigration officers have the right to make a phone call to a lawyer, family member or friend. If someone is arrested by immigration officers, they have the right to make a phone call to a lawyer, family member, or friend. INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. True—A person DOES have the right to make a phone call after an arrest. It is important to memorize the number of an attorney, family member or friend and contact them right away in the event of an arrest.

True or False? It is not necessary to keep a copy of immigration documents and important family papers such as birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates in a safe place. It is not necessary to keep a copy of immigration documents and important family papers such as birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates in a safe place. INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. False—It is important to always keep important documents and legal papers in a safe, secure location. You will want to find a folder or envelope to organize them all in one place. Make sure someone can easily access these documents in case of an emergency or arrest. If possible, create a second set of materials and give to a friend or to your church for safekeeping.

True or False? It is important to have a attorney to contact.
Immigration officials may detain parents who need to take care of their children. Most school will not allow a relative or friend to take a child home without previous written permission. People arrested by immigration officers do have the right to make a phone call. It is necessary to keep important documents in a safe place. Wrap Up discussion: So which if these statements is the biggest surprise? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. Which statement is good news? How can we turn all of them into good news? Planning!

Immigration-Related Emergencies
Family Safety Planning Session Immigration-Related Emergencies Our goal today is to be as prepared as possible for immigration-related emergencies such as raids at work or being arrested—emergencies that separate us from our families. Let me share a story about an emergency in my life… INSTRUCTIONS: Very Important: Share a story of an immigration-related emergency from your life or the life of someone you know personally. Alternatively, bring a guest to tell a personal story or use a story from a local newspaper or other published source. Highlight what was in your control, what wasn’t, and one way in which planning ahead could have helped.

Sharing Stories Immigration-Related Emergencies Form a group of three.
Share a story of an immigration-related emergency—either a personal experience or a friend’s experience. Discuss the following questions: What was out of your control? What was in your control? What’s one thing you could do to plan ahead for such emergencies? All of us here have heard of immigration-related emergencies and some of us have experienced these emergencies ourselves. Let’s take some time to discuss our own experiences. I’d like you to form groups of three people, share brief stories, and then discuss the three questions up on the screen. If you are not comfortable sharing details from your own life, share a story you heard or read. You have 15 minutes. Form your groups. INSTRUCTIONS: Allow time to adjust seating as needed. Once groups are settled, give groups 15 minutes to discuss on their own, then bring attention back yourself (Tip: Say in a regular volume, “If you can hear my voice clap three times.” Repeat until the group is focused on you again.) What kinds of things seem to be always out of our control? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses and affirm good responses. What kinds of things are in our control? What good planning ideas did you hear?

Planning Ahead What items or resources would you need to keep your family safe in the event of an immigration raid or emergency? Is it important to have a lawyer in case you or a family member is detained by immigration? Why or why not? As we’ve just shared, immigration raids and arrests can leave children without parents and can tear apart families. It is important to have a family safety plan in case of any emergency but especially in case a parent or family provider is arrested or detained by immigration officials. So what items or things would you need to keep your family safe in the event of an immigration raid or emergency? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses and affirm good responses. Is it important to have a lawyer in case you or a family member is detained by immigration? Why or why not? As you collect these various documents and information for your family safety plan, you will want to store them in a folder or envelope and keep it in a safe but easily accessible place. If possible, create a second set of materials and give to a friend or to your church for safekeeping.

How might your church or community be able to help?
Planning Ahead Do you have a family member or friend who has access to your bank accounts and could get money for bail or other emergency needs? How might your church or community be able to help? Do you have a family member or friend who has access to your bank accounts and could get money for bail or other emergency needs? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. Assure participants that it is possible to plan for emergency financial needs. Explain that you will identify the steps for this planning during this session. How might your church or community be able to help? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. Participants will share what they know and tell them about what resources are available from this host congregation and from community sources. Note the handout of resources shared.

Discussion of the Chen Family’s Story
Planning Ahead Discussion of the Chen Family’s Story Now I’m going to share one family’s immigration emergency story. Listen for what the family did to plan ahead. The Chen family from China lives in Newark, N.J. The mother and father are undocumented workers in a clothing factory, and they have three small children. The two youngest children were born the United States, and the oldest was born in China. Mr. Chen was picked up in a workplace raid and placed in immigration detention. Mrs. Chen was able to leave the factory without being detained by immigration enforcement officials. When she got home, she immediately called her cousin who agreed to come over and look after her children. She also called her lawyer, who helped her to locate the detention center where Mr. Chen was being held. After a week, she went to her church, which provided her with food. She began to run out of money since she and her husband were no longer working, but was able to go to the bank with financial documents signed by both her and her husband and was able to access money. Does it sound like Mr. and Mrs. Chen had a family safety plan? If so, was it successful? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. What parts of the plan would you do differently or the same? Great. Let’s discuss the elements of a good family safety plan.

Return to your group of three. Discuss the following questions :
Family Safety Planning Worksheet Return to your group of three. Discuss the following questions : What paperwork is needed for each category on the worksheet (legal, medical, important information, family & children, community & church)? How or where could you seek help related to each category? Take out the Family Safety Planning Worksheet in your Family Safety Planning Toolkit. In your groups of three you will discuss the five categories in our plans—legal, medical, important information, family and children, and community and church. For each category, discuss what paperwork, if any, is needed. Also discuss how you could seek help related to each category. We’ll share our ideas with the whole group. Please pick someone to be the reporter to the whole group. One example of paperwork would be to complete guardianship forms for children. An example of a way to seek help might be to identify two family members who can be available to provide childcare anytime. Please return to your groups of three and discuss all five categories. You have 15 minutes. INSTRUCTIONS: Allow time for seating adjustment as needed. Once settled, allow 15 minutes, then bring attention back to yourself. Let’s share our ideas. Reporters, please share the ideas of your group. Who would like to go first? Affirm positive ideas. Make sure the whole room can hear reporters and your affirmations. Next? After the last report: Great ideas everyone. Now let’s start putting these ideas into our personal plans.

Legal Family Safety Planning Worksheet
Have the name and phone number of a lawyer that you can contact in case of an emergency. Keep the lawyer’s contact information in your plan and in your wallet. Create a signed agreement that gives authority to someone you designate to make decisions for you. There are many ways to create a family plan. What you include in the family plan is up to you. However, there are some basics that everyone should include. In the legal category, it is best to be prepared for an immigration raid by having the name and number of a lawyer that you can contact in case that you or a family member is detained. If you already have a lawyer who will represent you or your family member, make sure that you have the name and telephone number of the lawyer in your plan. Never pay a lawyer for simply looking at your papers or agreeing to represent you if the need arises. In other words, just having the name and contact information of a lawyer should not cost you any money. Make sure to designate someone you trust to make decisions for you if you are detained. They can help you withdraw money for legal expenses or pay your rent or mortgage. There is a “Power of Attorney” form in your Family Safety Planning Toolkit. Completing this form will give the person you designate the right to act on your behalf. Keep this form in your plan.

Medical Family Safety Planning Worksheet
List the names of all family members and note any medications each one is taking. Also note each family member’s serious health conditions and food allergies. In the medical category, be sure to write down the names of all of your family members and the medications they may be taking. In case you or someone in your family is detained, you can easily find this information and give it to immigration officials or to the person who will take care of your family. This way no one will get sick because they don’t have the proper medication they need. If family members have other health conditions or allergies, write those down too.

Important Information
Family Safety Planning Worksheet Important Information Write down the names, dates of birth, and immigration numbers (if they have them) of all family members. Keep all documents—immigration, birth certificates and passports—in a safe and easily accessible place. In the important information category be sure to record the names, immigration numbers (if they have them), and dates of birth for all your family members. Also, keep all important documents—immigration documents, passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and car and house titles in a safe place that your family can access easily. When possible, obtain official copies of documents such as birth certificates. Keep copies in separate safe place. Consider this safety plan as important family information. You may want to keep a second copy of the plan in a safe place such as with a friend or at your church.

Family—Short-Term Family Safety Planning Worksheet
Make arrangements for someone to care for your children or other family members who need assistance. Note the name and phone number of this person in your plan and keep it with you in case you need to call him or her. In the family category it is important to know who will take care of your children, elderly relatives or any family member that needs assistance in case that you are unable to do so. Make arrangements in advance for someone to take care of them if you are detained. Have the telephone numbers of this friend or relative in your plan and keep the telephone number with you at all times in case you need to contact him or her.

Family—Long-Term Family Safety Planning Worksheet
Think about signing a guardianship form (see handout packet) in case decisions need to be made for your children. If you are at risk for deportation, think about obtaining passports for your U.S. citizen children so that they can travel back and forth from your home country to the United States. Detention or other separation from family is sometimes for an extended period of time. You may want to have a guardianship form in your plan in case someone needs to make medical or school decisions for your child or other relative. There is an Authorization for Temporary Guardianship of a Minor form in your Family Safety Planning Toolkit. If you are at risk for deportation, also think about obtaining passports for your children who were born in the United States, so that they can travel with you. Also check with your home country to learn any entrance requirements for your U.S.-born children.

Community & Church Family Safety Planning Worksheet
Where could you access the following resources? food bank emergency financial assistance legal services shelter other You may already know of some resources to list in the community and church category. INSTRUCTIONS: Point out the handout listing community resources and review the whole document or highlight a couple items. You may also want to speak to your pastor about the ways the church can help you or your family in case someone is detained by immigration authorities. Your congregation may be able to provide physical needs such as food as well as spiritual needs such as prayer and counsel.

General Power of Attorney Authorization for Temporary Guardianship
Family Safety Planning Toolkit General Power of Attorney Authorization for Temporary Guardianship United States Customs and Immigration Service Form G28 Now let’s take a closer look at the legal forms in the Family Safety Planning Toolkit. The General Power of Attorney ensures that a trusted person you designate will be able to make decisions for you in the event you are detained. For example, with a signed Power of Attorney document your spouse could sell the car even if the title is in your name. The Authorization for Temporary Guardianship of a Minor allows you to prepare for long-term separation. Consider selecting a family member or trusted friend to be your children’s guardian. As guardian, this person will be able to make decisions to care for your children and communicate with their school. You will need to copy and complete the form for each of your children. United States Customs and Immigration Service Form G28 allows you to secure legal representation before you need it. You sign it, but an attorney does not have to sign it at the same time. If you are arrested, the form signed by you makes it easier for an attorney to meet with you. INSTRUCTIONS: As an individual exercise, have participants begin to fill in the information. Some information they may not know, some may not be able to write the answers down. This is OK. Have them at least think of who they might consider designating as a guardian for their children or relatives, power of attorney, etc. Walk around to each group, asking if they need help. Allow 10 minutes. Remember that as you collect these various documents and information for your family safety plan, you will want to store them in a folder or envelope and keep it in a safe but easily accessible place. If possible, create a second set of materials and give to a friend or to your church for safekeeping.

True or False? In the event of an immigration emergency, it is important to have the name and phone number of an attorney you can contact. Remember those true or false statements we started with? Let’s review them again. Give me a big TRUE or FALSE for each. In the event of an immigration emergency, it is important to have a lawyer to contact. [Responses] True!

True or False? Immigration officials will not detain parents who need to be at home to take care of their children. Immigration officials will not detain parents who need to be at home to take care of their children. [Responses] False! What’s one thing we can plan to make sure our children are cared for? [Responses] Great! We need to plan for emergency child care.

True or False? In the event of an emergency, a school will allow any relative or friend to take a child home or to a safe place. In the event of an emergency, a school will allow any relative or friend to take a child home or to a safe place. [Responses] False! Right! What can we do to plan ahead? [Responses] Great! We can give permission in writing ahead of time for a relative or friend to be able to pick up children at school.

True or False People arrested by immigration officers have the right to make a phone call to a lawyer, family member or friend. People arrested by immigration officers have the right to make a phone call to a lawyer, family member or friend. [Responses] Right! Memorize the number of an attorney or friend who knows what to do if you are arrested.

True or False? It is not necessary to keep a copy of immigration documents and important family papers such as birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates in a safe place. It is not necessary to keep a copy of immigration documents and important family papers such as birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates in a safe place. [Responses] False! Right! What kinds of documents can we organize ahead? [Responses] How can we keep documents safe? [Responses] Great!

True or False? It is important to have a attorney to contact.
Immigration officials may detain parents who need to take care of their children. Most school will not allow a relative or friend to take a child home without previous written permission. People arrested by immigration officers do have the right to make a phone call. It is necessary to keep important documents in a safe place. Wrap Up discussion: So which if these statements is the biggest surprise? INSTRUCTIONS: Elicit responses. Which statement is good news? How can we turn all of them into good news? Planning!

What are the five parts of a good family safety plan?
My Plan What are the five parts of a good family safety plan? Legal Medical Important Information Family & Children Community & Church What are the five parts of a good family safety plan? Legal—What’s an example of planning for a legal need? Medical—What is important for anyone caring for your family to know about their health? Important Information—Why would I want to obtain and keep children’s passports in my plan? What other documents should I keep? Family and Children—What short term family needs should I prepare for? How about long-term needs? Community and Church—What help is offered by local churches? Where we go for help in our community?

It’s Up to You You now have the tools you need to plan for an immigration-related emergency. Now it’s up to you... to create your plan, to make sure everyone knows what to do, and to gather and protect all important documents. It is up to you to create your family safety plan. Make sure you tell important people involved about your plan—each person involved should know what to do. Keep a copy of the plan with you and keep a second copy in a safe place. Gather all documents you can. Make copies when possible. Keep the documents safe but easy to access. Please visit the information table for more information about this church and about the makers of the session, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Thank you for coming today! If you have other questions, you may see a lawyer or immigration specialist. Thank you for attending this workshop and I hope it has helped you. Remember, no matter what your immigration status in this country, you have rights and they are protected under the law.

What Did You Think? Please complete the feedback form. Let us know how much the session helped or how we could make it better. We appreciate your comments and suggestions! Today we identified support systems within the family and community, learned how to access those resources in case of an immigration-related emergency, and learned how to create a family safety plan. Please tell us how much the presentation today helped you. Fill out the feedback form and [instruct participants how to turn in their forms]. Your feedback helps us and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service keep making these presentations better.

Announcements and Closing Prayer
Conclusion Announcements and Closing Prayer INSTRUCTIONS: Presenter or clergy of host church or appointee may close the session with a word of thanks, lead participants in applause for the presenter(s), offer any announcements, and close with a brief prayer. Optional: As desired, spend more time on prayer. Participants may have high levels of anxiety about their futures and their families. They may appreciate being able to voice specific prayer requests and for a pastor or presenter who truly cares to ask for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom and to bless them.

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