10 Things To Do Right Now as an Undocumented Person
Last Updated: February 19, 2025
In response to the new and rising challenges undocumented people are facing under the current administration, as well as the wealth of information and resources that have been created and shared with the community, we have compiled 10 things you can do right now as an undocumented person. Read on to explore how you can prepare yourself, your loved ones, and your community for possible challenges ahead.
1. Take care of your mental health.
Our mental health affects how we relate to others and the world, make decisions, and handle stress. While there’s importance in staying informed, feeding our minds an uncontrolled amount of disheartening news can worsen our mental and emotional health. Instead, we invite you to add these wellness practices to your daily routine:
- Set time limits on how long you stay online.
- Continue a routine or hobby that helps you be present in the moment and connect with your creativity and mother nature.
- Journal to let your sacred rage out, thank yourself for moving through the day, or give yourself the space and permission to vent and cry.
- Join a support group or find mental health support: immigrantsrising.org/mhresources.
2. Know your rights under the Constitution.
Everyone, regardless of their immigration status, has certain guaranteed rights. Remember, you can exercise your right to remain silent and refuse to answer any questions until you talk with a lawyer. You do not have to give police or immigration agents permission to enter your home or private property unless they have a valid judicial warrant that displays accurate information (e.g. name, address) and the judge’s signature.
- Visit ACLU’s page to learn more: aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights.
- Download NAKASEC’s Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants app on Android (bit.ly/KYR_Aptoide) or iOS (bit.ly/KYR_Apple).
- Review our travel guide for safety tips when traveling by air or ground transportation: immigrantsrising.org/travel-us.
3. Develop a safety plan with your kin and community.
During this time of higher immigration enforcement and risk, immigrant families and communities must prepare a safety plan. Your safety plan should include concrete steps for your loved ones to follow in the case of emergency and a designated trusted person who can follow through with your safety plan.
Suggested steps:
- Keep your emergency contact numbers with you at all times.
- Develop a safety plan that outlines both immediate and long-term steps.
- Assign each person in your safety plan a role, such as a designated driver or a coordinator with a lawyer.
- Review the safety plan with your close relatives and community members.
- Share your safety plan and relevant documents with your designated trusted person.
Download the toolkit by the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition: bit.ly/tirrc-family-prep.
4. Learn about possible immigration reliefs.
Your immigration status is not permanent. There may be immigration relief available to you, some of which may provide a permanent resident status in the U.S. or abroad.
Various factors (education, occupation, marital status, survivor of violence, policy changes, etc.) can influence what immigration relief may become available to you. Visit immi.org or immigrationlawhelp.org to learn about your possible options.
Many undocumented individuals have also sought security, wellness, and opportunities outside the U.S. While this is a big decision to make, it is worth exploring. Visit our Life Outside the U.S. page for resources and stories: immigrantsrising.org/lifeoutsidetheus.
5. Find trusted immigration legal help.
Identify reliable immigration attorneys (private) and accredited legal services providers (nonprofit) whom you can reach out to for various needs. For example, you may want to have a list of attorneys and organizations for emergency (e.g. deportation defenses) and non-emergency (e.g. family petition, U-Visa/T-Visa, employment-based petition) support.
Thoroughly research the lawyers on your list, ensuring their reputation, specialty, and fee structure are aligned with your expectations. Be cautious of attorneys who offer unethical advice or unrealistic promises and unlicensed individuals offering immigration-related services as visa consultants, notarios, petition preparers, etc.
Read our Getting Legal Help resource to learn more: immigrantsrising.org/legal-help.
6. Consider pursuing education.
There’s value and potential in continuing to nurture our knowledge and skills. Whether you’re pursuing a college degree, technical programs, or noncredit courses, your learnings can help you grow in a career field or enter a new one.
College access and financial aid for undocumented students varies by state. Find state-based information and resources at higheredimmigrationportal.org or, for students in California, immigrantsrising.org/going-to-college.
The Plyler v. Doe (1982) Supreme Court decision still stands to protect undocumented families’ right to access free public K-12 education. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and implications from the Plyler v. Doe case add safety measures to limit the disclosure of student data and student records. As we’ve seen recent attempts challenging Plyler v. Doe and FERPA, we encourage you to connect with a local nonprofit organization serving immigrant students to stay informed.
7. Understand your access to health care.
No one can be denied health care services, including emergency and preventive care, solely based on their immigration status. Some facilities may request a patient’s identification; however, the patient does not have to disclose their identification or immigration status to get the health care they need. Learn more about your rights to health care at nilc.org/work/health-care.
On January 20, the Trump Administration rescinded policies protecting “Sensitive Locations” (e.g. hospitals, shelters, schools, places of worship) from immigration enforcement. We encourage undocumented individuals and staff at formerly protected areas to prepare and protect your community by reviewing this resource by NILC: nilc.org/resources/factsheet-trumps-rescission-of-protected-areas-policies-undermines-safety-for-all.
8. Know your rights as an employee or business owner.
All employees regardless of immigration status are entitled to fair wages, safe working conditions, and employee rights. Undocumented workers are protected under the law from wage and employment discrimination, unsafe or hazardous working conditions, and employer retaliation. However, there are certain risks in filing claims against employers as undocumented workers. To learn more, review Legal Aid at Work’s resource: legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/employment-rights-of-undocumented-workers.
All business owners should understand their rights and how they can keep their workplace, employees, and customers safe from negative interactions with immigration enforcement. Watch Public Counsel’s webinar in English (bit.ly/kyr-business) or Spanish (bit.ly/kyr-negocio).
9. Stay connected with your community.
The years ahead will not be easy, but you do not have to go through them alone. Know that you have the undocumented community by your side, and together, we will always find ways to thrive. We are stronger together.
Lean into the resources available to you. Find local and national immigrant rights organizations like Immigrants Rising, BAJI, MALDEF, NILC, ILRC, America’s Voice, and United We Dream who can serve as your trusted sources for accurate information and connection to the ongoing national movement for immigration reform.
The people around you may be your best advocates. Nurture existing relationships with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community members, and join community-based groups to expand your network. Our virtual Wellness Support Groups are also designed for undocumented people to meet others with similar experiences and/or identities: immigrantsrising.org/supportgroups.
10. Advocate for immigration reform!
Our fight for immigration reform continues — and we encourage you to join us in this fight. As we have seen ongoing threats to undocumented communities, we need you to join us in action and do your part in advocating for protective and inclusive policies within your city and state, and permanent solutions for undocumented immigrants throughout the U.S. Participate in local actions, contribute to the undocumented community, voice your support in town halls, legislative hearings and sign-on letters, and help reshape the immigrant narrative!
Review this resource before participating in protests: nilc.org/resources/immigrant-participation-in-protests-rights.
Learn more about protester’s rights: aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights.
