Resources for Children at the Intersection of Immigration, Foster Care, and Juvenile Justice
Disclaimer: The information contained in this library is intended for educational and training purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. The Youth Law Center has collected the materials contained within this library from external sources, and is not responsible for the content of these resources. While we endeavor to update this library regularly, we cannot guarantee that the information contained in these resources is current and up to date, particularly given the pace with which immigration action is evolving in the current landscape. We recommend that readers reach out to the organizations and authors referenced with any questions. Finally, by including information in this library, the Youth Law Center is not endorsing any of the referrals or providers referenced herein.
California Directory of Rapid Response Networks
Organization: California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice
Link: https://www.ccijustice.org/carrn
This website hosts a directory of California Response Networks, which are community-based systems that provide immediate assistance to individuals and families impacted by immigration enforcement, such as Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids or detentions. The networks also help inform communities about credible enforcement actions in public areas and sometimes help individuals get connected with community-based organizations and services.
All County Information Notice (ACIN) No. I-25-25
Government Entity: California Department of Social Services
This All County Information Notice (ACIN) was shared by the California Department of Social Services to inform county child welfare agencies, juvenile probation departments, and Tribes with a California Title IV-E Agreement, of the rights of children, youth, and parents who have been separated due to immigration enforcement actions. This ACIN provides guidance and best practices when children and youth come to the attention of child welfare agencies due to immigration enforcement actions.
California Department of Social Services: Legal Services Providers’ Information
Government Entity: California Department of Social Services
Link: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/contractor-contact-information
This website from the California Department of Social Services offers contact lists to access general legal assistance, assistance specific to detainees and non-detainees in removal proceedings, and services for immigrant youth and unaccompanied youth and unaccompanied undocumented minors.
Know Your Rights Fact Sheet
Government Entity: Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office
Links: https://govca.app.box.com/s/46mdr10niig1civmvh00d467plprcwjv (English) ; https://govca.app.box.com/s/g129ab47ef7wdg56ujh69e7a05akv5su (Spanish)
This fact sheet, available in English and Spanish, from Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office covers tips on what to do if you witness an immigration arrest, how to recognize federal immigration agents, and answers other frequently asked questions.
The Immigrant Family Manual
Organization: Appleseed Network
Link: https://appleseednetwork.org/planningmanual/
This guide, updated for 2025, provides information for immigrant families to plan ahead in case a family member is deported. It covers important topics to consider and steps to ensure the well-being of children and other family members. The guide is currently only available in English, but a Spanish version is forthcoming.
“We Have Rights” Animated Training Video Series
Organization: Brooklyn Defenders
Link: https://www.wehaverights.us/
This animated video series is part of a campaign designed to help individuals prepare for and safely defend their rights during encounters with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). Topics include interactions with ICE outside and inside homes, in communities, during arrests, and how to document ICE arrests. Videos are available in: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Urdu.
Press Release: Attorney General Bonta Provides Guidance to Students, Educators on Immigration Enforcement on School Campuses
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
This press release from the California Department of Justice explains what school officials should do if an immigration officer comes to a school campus. It also briefly summarizes the rights of immigrant students and their families within school settings.
Immigration-Enforcement Actions at California Schools: Know Your Educational Rights
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
This short summary from the California Department of Justice outlines the educational rights of immigrant students in California when it comes to immigration enforcement actions at schools. It is a quick overview for youth and those supporting them.
Resources for California’s Immigrant Communities
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
Link: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources
This site is a central hub for all immigration-related resources from the California Department of Justice, specifically designed for immigrant communities in California. It’s a good place to start to find official guidance and information from the California government.
Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California Shelters
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
Link: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/immigration/shelter.pdf
This resource provides guidance and model policies from the California Department of Justice for homeless shelters in California regarding rights and responsibilities when interacting with immigrants. The intended audience for this resource are shelter staff and leadership.
Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California’s K-12 Schools in Responding to Immigration Issues
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
Link: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/bcj/school-guidance-model-k12.pdf
This resource offers guidance and model policies from the California Department of Justice for K-12 schools in California on how to respond to immigration-related issues. This information is crucial for understanding how schools should protect immigrant students’ rights. The intended audience for this resource are K-12 school staff and administrators.
Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California’s Colleges and Universities in Responding to Immigration Issues
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
Link: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/immigration/higher-education-guidance.pdf
This resource offers guidance and model policies for colleges and universities in California on how to handle immigration-related issues. This information is crucial for understanding how colleges and universities should protect immigrant students’ rights. The intended audience for this resource are college and university leadership and staff.
Avoiding Immigration Legal Services Fraud
Government Entity: California Department of Justice
This guidance from the California Department of Justice provides tips for learning how to recognize and avoid immigration legal services fraud. It has critical information to protect youth and families from dishonest practices.
National Immigration Legal Services Directory
Organizations: Immigration Advocates Network and Pro Bono Net
Link: https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/
This online directory helps individuals across the United States to find low-cost or free immigration legal representation based on their zip code. It’s a valuable resource for youth and their families seeking legal assistance.
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/resources/step-step-family-preparedness-plan
This comprehensive guide from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center helps immigrant families proactively prepare for potential immigration emergencies. It provides a step-by-step guide to ensure families are ready for various situations that may arise. This resource is especially relevant for families with minor children and/or parenting youth in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
Webinar on Family Preparedness Plans in California
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/orientation-family-preparedness-plans-california
This webinar from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center is a companion to their Step-By-Step Family Preparedness Plans and helps advocates learn how to assist immigrant parents in creating child care plans if they are detained or deported. The webinar recording covers California law regarding alternate care arrangements for children, including the Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, and children’s educational rights.
Know Your Rights and What Immigrant Families Should Do Now
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights-and-what-immigrant-families-should-do-now
This resource from Immigrant Legal Resource Center emphasizes the importance of knowing your rights if approached by an immigrant enforcement (ICE) agent and how immigrant families can prepare for such encounters. It provides practical tips and information on rights regardless of immigration status.
Red Cards (Know Your Rights Cards) in 9 Languages
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
These “Red Cards” from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center explain basic rights that all people in the United States have, regardless of immigration status, under the U.S. Constitution. The Red Cards are currently available in nine languages and include examples of how to exercise these rights during encounters with immigration officials.
10 Things Noncitizen Protestors Need to Know
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/resources/10-things-noncitizen-protestors-need-know
This one-page resource from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, outlines ten things noncitizen protestors should know before exercising their rights to free speech and lawful assembly. It highlights potential disadvantages for noncitizens if law enforcement intervenes and makes arrests, and is available both in English and Spanish.
Know Your Rights: A California Train the Trainer Toolkit
Organization: Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Link: https://www.ilrc.org/resources/know-your-rights-california-train-trainer-toolkit
This toolkit from Immigrant Legal Resource Center is designed to help individuals and organizations host their own Know Your Rights trainings in California. It provides materials and guidance for educating communities about immigration rights.
ImmigrationLawHelp.org
Organization: JusticaLab
Link: https://www.immigrationlawhelp.org/
This webpage helps low-income immigrants find legal assistance. It is a useful resource for youth and families seeking affordable or free legal support for immigration matters.
LawHelpCA.org
Organizations: Legal Aid Association of California & Pro Bono Net
Link: https://www.lawhelpca.org/issues/immigration
This website helps community members in California find local legal aid and free legal representation for immigration issues. It is a valuable directory for connecting with legal support.
ICE Raid Guidance for Homeless Service Providers: What to do Before, During, and After a Raid
Organization: National Homelessness Law Center
Link: https://homelesslaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ICE-Guidance.pdf
This guide from the National Homelessness Law Center helps homeless shelter organizations prepare for and respond to immigration enforcement actions in a way that prioritizes client privacy, safety, and opportunities.
Fact Sheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All
Organization: National Immigration Law Center
This fact sheet explains what the “protected areas policy” was, what laws now apply to those areas, and steps advocates and communities can take to help immigrants continue to access critical community spaces and services safely.
Privacy Protections in Selected Federal Benefits Programs
Organization: National Immigration Law Center
Link: https://www.nilc.org/resources/privacy-protections-in-selected-federal-benefits-programs/
This table from the National Immigration Law Center provides valuable information on privacy protections and information requirements for several federal benefits programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage, and SNAP. This resource helps families understand what information is shared with the state and federal government when applying for benefits.
Education Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Students’ Rights
Organization: National Immigration Law Center
This FAQ from the National Immigration Law Center offers information and best practices for K-12 school leaders, administrators, educators, and staff to ensure they maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment for immigrant students and their families.
Protecting Our Students
Organization: National Immigration Law Center
Link: https://www.nilc.org/resources/know-your-rights-immigrant-students-and-schools/
This factsheet from the National Immigration Law Center covers immigrant rights regarding access to public K-12 education, protections for student information under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and guidance for students and families if ICE authorities come to their homes.
Know Your Rights to Health Care and Health Insurance
Organization: National Immigration Law Center
Link: https://www.nilc.org/resources/health-insurance-and-care-rights/
This resource from the National Immigration Law Center provides essential information that all immigrant families should know when making decisions about getting health care or applying for health insurance programs.
Immigration Policy Tracking Project (IPTP) Tracker
Author & Organization: Professor Lucas Guttentag and the Immigration Policy Tracking Project
Link: https://immpolicytracking.org/policies/?after=2025-01-20
This resource provides essential information that all immigrant families should know when making decisions about getting health care or applying for health insurance programs. It empowers families to make informed choices about their health.
California Immigration Legal Services Providers
Organization: The State Bar of California
Link: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/accessJustice/Pro-Bono-Immigration-Legal-Services.pdf
This abridged list from The State Bar of California provides contact information for legal services providers in California who focus on immigration. It includes both State Bar-funded providers and others who frequently offer these services, organized geographically by federal immigration court locations.
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