Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) recently published an excellent resource to help parents prepare today in case they become separated from their children through unfortunate events like detention or deportation.
If this situation ever happens to your family, the person you trust to care for your children will need permission to make decisions while you are gone. If you want that person to have legal custody of your children, you’ll want to consult first with an immigration attorney experienced in these matters.
Here is some of the important information presented in the Immigrant Family Preparedness Guide for Georgia Families:
Make a plan for your children in case you are detained or deported. The Preparedness Guide includes a list of important information to write down or gather, which may include emergency contact information, birth certificates, passports, school and medical records, and a Power of Attorney agreement.
Choose the best caregiver for your children. Note that your chosen caregiver must be available immediately to pick up your children if you are taken into custody. You’ll also want to be sure that your chosen caregiver will be able to take care of everything for your children and has the money to do so.
Plan for your children to either stay in the U.S. or join you if you are deported. This is an important decision to make in advance. Whatever you decide will require documents, forms, and other considerations. For example, you’ll need to set up temporary guardianship if your children will stay in the U.S.
Forms may be required to ensure you’re prepared. It’s very important that you get help from a lawyer so that you prepare and sign the right documents. A mistake here could have very bad consequences, like the Department of Family and Children Services taking your children.
Click here to download the complete guide.
Protect yourself from Fake Notarios!
The Preparedness Guide also provides an important warning about avoiding fake notarios and getting advice directly from a licensed attorney. While the word “notario” can refer to a lawyer in many Spanish-speaking countries, in the United States a “notary” just watches people sign important papers. A notary is not allowed to provide legal advice or prepare legal papers. Please confirm that your lawyer is licensed by calling the State Bar of Georgia at 404-527-8700.
Contact Antonini & Cohen for help with your family’s preparedness plan.
When you’re ready to prepare your family’s plan, contact an experienced immigration attorney at Antonini & Cohen for advice and support. We’ve been helping families just like yours with their immigration law needs since 1989. Please call us at 404-850-9394 or click here to contact us by email.
KIND is a nonprofit organization that works to protect children who enter the US immigration system alone and strives to ensure that no child appears in immigration court without representation. Click here to visit their website.
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