Safety measures and other information for asylum seekers

The following list provides information that may be helpful for asylum seekers. We are proud to support you.

1. When you leave home, carry a United States ID if you have one.

If you have a U.S. identification card such as a driver’s license or state ID, carry it with you when you leave home. You can choose to show your ID if you are stopped outside of your home by the police or immigration officials. 

You can also choose to carry one of the documents below to prove your immigration status and to prove you have been in the U.S. for more than 14 days. (Immigrants who have been in the U.S. for less than 14 days before encountering immigration officials have fewer immigration protections.)

• Permanent resident card (green card)

• Work permit

• Copy of Notice to Appear

• Copy of Hearing Notice

• Copy of Form I-94 (see examples here, here, and here)

• Copy of a visa you received to come to the United States

2. Be careful when driving and traveling.

Carry your U.S. driver’s license and get car insurance as required by law in all states. Drive carefully and obey the traffic laws. Be aware that when you travel within the United States, you may encounter immigration officials or immigration checkpoints.

3. Be aware of privacy concerns on social media.

If you no longer use a social media account, consider deleting it. If you decide to delete your social media account and it has evidence about your asylum case or other information that is important to you, take screenshots or print copies before deleting.

Many companies and the government have access to data shared by people online, including in social media platforms. For example, the government has said that information shared on social media can impact a person’s immigration status. Social media companies also sell users’ personal data to other companies.

4. Ask people you trust for help in case of an emergency and memorize their phone numbers.

Memorize the phone number of at least one person you trust. That way, you can still call them even if you lose access to your phone. Ask them if they can help in case of an emergency, for example help picking children up from school or taking children to doctors’ appointments. Another organization has created a sample emergency plan that you can fill out, if that is helpful.

5. Save your important documents in a safe place.

Make sure that your important documents and information are stored in a safe place. For example, this could include your passport, immigration documents, financial information, medical information, account logins, and important phone numbers. Tell someone else that you trust where they can find this information in an emergency.

6. If you get arrested by immigration officials and are afraid to return to your country of origin, state that clearly.

If you are arrested by immigration officials and you are afraid of returning to your country of origin, try to say that you are afraid to return every chance you have. If you have already applied for asylum, say that you have an asylum application pending. 

Do not sign any documents you cannot read or understand on your own. Ask to speak to a lawyer, then call your lawyer if you have one, or call a loved one who can help. Find legal help here. Once in detention, your case can move quickly. Learn more about detention.

7. Consider making a more detailed plan in case of detention or deportation.

If you have a case in immigration court, your case is still active until the judge makes a decision. However, having a pending application does not necessarily prevent someone from being detained. Read about the risk of detention if you have an upcoming immigration court hearing or ICE check-in. 

You can consider taking other steps to make plans in case you are detained or deported, for example making plans related to children and finances. You can also find a family preparedness guide here, or see this more in-depth deportation preparation manual. 

8. If a government official does not have a warrant signed by a judge, it is your decision about whether to open your door.

Government officials must have your permission OR a court warrant – a document signed by a judge – before they can enter your home. ICE forms signed by ICE officers do NOT give them permission to enter your home without your consent. You can ask to see and read a warrant before you open the door. If government officials do not have a warrant, you can decide whether to open the door or not. Here are examples (the first image is a court warrant, and the second image is an ICE form).

9. Stay up to date about changing immigration laws.

Immigration laws are rapidly changing, and these changes could impact your case. Read how laws are changing on this page. ASAP updates this page often in response to new changes.

10. Sign up for ASAP membership to get free legal updates by text or email.

Every month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) provides all members with free legal updates by email or text message – including information about changing laws. ASAP membership is completely free, and is designed for asylum seekers in the United States.