General Discussion

Stinky The Clown

(67,808 posts) Sat Apr 8, 2017, 07:46 PM Apr 2017

How does one volunteer to be a guardian of children whose parents get deported?

I know this is an incredibly sensitive issue. I know the risk of child endangerment or exploitation is high. But how can we help the children of deported parents remain in the US - where they are citizens and have full citizenship rights?

Ideally, families who are without documents will plan ahead, enact power of attorney with a trusted person, and advise their children of what to do in the event the parents are taken away.

That's the ideal.

What about when it isn't ideal? Are there organizations vetting potential guardians for these kids? Are they looking into people with homes willing to shelter the kids for a few days or weeks until other, better arrangements are made?

Does ICE or DS care? Might they even help? Are they legally able to help?

What about NGOs here at home? Immigrant advocacy groups.

I have no idea, but we'd like to help. Even if not caring for a kid or kids directly, where to give support in other ways?

6 replies

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Highlight:

How does one volunteer to be a guardian of children whose parents get deported? (Original Post) Stinky The Clown Apr 2017 OP

Get in touch with immigrant rights groups in your area Sanity Claws Apr 2017 #1

Quick search found this: elleng Apr 2017 #2

If I had kids sweetapogee Apr 2017 #3

There's a lot you can do to help janterry Apr 2017 #4

My wife and I have signed power of Attorney calikid Apr 2017 #5

Contact your town's Human Services Dept. I'm on an Advisory Board and that's the Dept KittyWampus Apr 2017 #6

Sanity Claws

(21,849 posts)

1. Get in touch with immigrant rights groups in your area

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 07:57 PM

Apr 2017

They will put you in touch with programs that have been set up.

I work for a nonprofit legal services organization focused on immigration and related services. That's what I base my suggestion on.

elleng

(130,974 posts)

2. Quick search found this:

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 07:58 PM

Apr 2017

http://www.immigrationfamilylawyer.com/blog/maryland-immigration-law/2017/03/28/contingency-planning-undocumented-parents/

sweetapogee

(1,168 posts)

3. If I had kids

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 07:59 PM

Apr 2017

and If I were being deported, regardless of the reasons or the politics behind the deportation, I would be taking my kids with me.

janterry

(4,429 posts)

4. There's a lot you can do to help

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 08:03 PM

Apr 2017

besides being a guardian. I agree with contacting a local organization. I just wanted to say that, ime, most of these families do have extended family members in the US that they can place their kids with (not all, of course, but most). Those families will also need help -

calikid

(584 posts)

5. My wife and I have signed power of Attorney

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 08:27 PM

Apr 2017

from the parents of a young man that works for us. We also have POA on his two younger siblings.
ICE has been in the area and taken whole families away, as well as green carded people.
The ironic part to this whole mess is that the local republican farmers are rather upset that their workers aren't showing up, they are having problems keeping their operations going smoothly.

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)

6. Contact your town's Human Services Dept. I'm on an Advisory Board and that's the Dept

Reply to Stinky The Clown (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 08:28 PM

Apr 2017

that helps families out.

They are now handing out information packets for parents to compile all information concerning their kids- medical, birth records etc and also determining who will watch kids if something happens and who has Power of Attorney.

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