The Essential Checklist for Every Immigrant Household

Link to Spectrum News 1: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2025/09/29/the-essential-checklist-for-every-immigrant-household

Link to Spectrum News 1 ( Spanish Translation): https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2025/10/01/la-lista-esencial-para-casas-con-inmigrantes

In a time rooted in deep fear and a sense of imminent uncertainty, it is more important than ever for immigrants to be prepared, know their rights and stay aware, immigration advocates say.  

Green Card: Jose Perez, a Syracuse-based immigration attorney, urges permanent residents to always carry a Green Card. They are specific to lawful entry, maintenance of stay and benefits. They additionally verify employment authorization and school enrollment, playing an important role in an immigrant’s future.

Work permit or license: “If you have a pending case where you have not been granted residency, then you should have the work permit, New York State driver’s license or alternatively, any document that will show your picture and your date of birth,” said Perez.  

Birth certificates: Birth certificates are crucial in confirming an individual’s identity, age and birthplace. In a climate where federal agents can now use race, language or employment status as profiling factors in immigration patrols, the ability to establish oneself is more critical than ever, advocates say.  

U.S Passport: Every household member must have a valid passport. They serve as proof of legal entry, citizenship, identity and means of stay in the country.

Other passport: As a last resort, Perez advised that a person could use their passport from their country of origin. 

“It’s a double-edged sword, because if immigration [agents] see that you have a passport from another country, then they know immediately you're not from here and they can assume that you don’t have papers,” he said. “With the times that we have now under this administration, that may be the problem.”

Know Your Rights Wallet Cards: These printable cards are currently available in 19 different languages. They are intended for immigrant use when questioned by a federal agent. Though it can be a tense situation, emotional composure is critical during an ICE encounter. Advocates advise people to remain calm; otherwise, authorities may have grounds to intensify the situation.

“The first thing we tell the clients is, do not speak,” Perez said. “Do not say anything. Do not concede that you are from another country. Unless they are forcing you to do it, of course. Don't antagonize with officers.” 

The Know Your Rights Card acts as a middleman for the immigrant. It informs the officer that the immigrant is exercising their constitutional rights to deny search and stay silent, which are rights both for undocumented and documented individuals. 

“Right now, given the federal landscape and what's happening at the local level, a lot of what I've heard from my colleagues who do the on-the-ground stuff is the demand for know your rights resources,” said Kim Corona, press secretary for the New York Immigration Coalition.

The NYIC is an advocacy and policy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout the state of New York. The organization has been working to provide presentations to explain people's rights for individuals and groups that are at risk.

Know Your Rights Card from The National Immigration Law Center

Other documents to keep safe include marriage license, social security card, ITIN number, emergency contact list and the power of attorney. Additionally, advocates advise immigrants keep their personal medical information, as well as children’s, on hand in case of an emergency. Immigrants should have copies of medical conditions, allergies, doctor and health insurance information.  

By law, everyone needs to show documentation upon request by law enforcement. Failing to have appropriate documentation when requested can have consequences. Without these essentials, there is room for risk, such as lack of legal resources, detention and potential deportation, Perez says.

Where ICE can go

Witness to the many New Yorkers swept up by ICE, the NYIC has solidified efforts to support immigrants. 

“Our community engagement team goes across the state and leads Know Your Rights presentations,” said Corona. “We provide those presentations to community members to then also lead on their own, within their own spaces. A lot of that is identifying what's the difference between a judicial warrant, the types of federal officers; who is ICE, who isn't ICE.”

If a person is stopped or detained by law enforcement, experts say to note the agent(s)’ name or any other identifying information. Having physical proof of the interaction can make a significant difference. Perez encourages his clients and any witnesses to take video, audio recordings or notes of interactions with law enforcement.

Any space considered a private residence, including a person’s home, holds special protections that public areas do not. Officers cannot enter a private area unless they have consent or a judicial warrant. In January, the Trump administration dismantled a longstanding policy focused on safeguarding “protected” and “sensitive” areas such as schools, health care facilities and sacred spaces from immigration enforcement. Yet, there are some remaining protections in New York that were enacted by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James in February, such as ICE being required to have a judicial warrant to enter state facilities. In 2019, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo enacted the Protect Our Courts Act, which doesn’t allow ICE to interfere with state court proceedings.

Right to an attorney

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments read that, “no state may deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” The Supreme Court has long applied said ruling to everyone in the U.S., including undocumented immigrants. A detainee reserves the right to consult with a lawyer, yet the government is not required to provide legal representation.

But the sparsity of public interest law firms makes affordable legal representation limited for those in poor and rural areas, which are typically heavily populated with immigrants.  

“There is a lack of attorneys, not only in the area, but I would say, of the whole [state] of New York,” said Perez. “We have very limited attorneys that do immigration, and only a handful of attorneys that speak Spanish and do immigration.” 

The Trump administration has enacted hundreds of immigrations polices, which has brought fear, chaos and cruelty to local communities as well as others around the country, advocates say.  

Advocates urge immigrants to keep themselves in the know during this time of change 

“I think it's important to keep in mind that we need immigration reform,” said Perez. 

ABIGAIL LUCA - SPECTRUM NEWS FELLOW

Abigail Luca is a senior pursuing a dual major in Magazine, News, Digital Journalism, and Creative Writing at Syracuse University. She is an Editorial Fellow for Spectrum News 1. She is also the Managing Copy Editor and Head Writer at University Girl, a campus publication, and a freelance journalist.