Safety measures for asylum seekers

Here are some steps that asylum seekers can take to protect themselves and their families in the United States. 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 these documents to prove your immigration status:

• 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.

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. 

3. If you have been in the U.S. for more than 2 years, carry documents that prove this.

The government has said that immigrants who have been in the United States for less than 2 years have fewer immigration protections. You may want to show that you arrived in the U.S. more than 2 years ago and have lived in the U.S. since then. A single document can sometimes show a long period of time, for example a cell phone bill that shows multiple months.  

For example, you can carry copies of the following documents that show your name, U.S. address, and date:

• internet, phone, electricity, or other bills

• medical or school records

• bank or credit card statements

• lease agreements or property deeds

• car, home, or health insurance

• other mail or documents

4. 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.

5. 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.

Read special considerations if you have an upcoming immigration court hearing or ICE check-in.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. You do not have to open your door to immigration officials unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.

Immigration officials are supposed to have 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 do not need to open the door unless the official has a court warrant, and you can ask to see a warrant before you open the door. Here are examples (the first image is a court warrant, and the second image is an ICE form).

9. Sign up for ASAP membership to get urgent updates.

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