The Haitian Family Preparedness Guide
Be Prepared. Protect Your Family. Protect Your Future.
Prepared by Pauline Show — In partnership with AHVED, Best Insurance USA, Medisoma Media, Legal Accounting & Tax Services LLC, and Santé Plus Medical Center
Before You Panic
If your TPS may end, remember:
Losing TPS does not automatically mean you must leave the United States immediately.
You may qualify for another immigration benefit.
Your children may have different legal rights depending on where they were born.
You still have rights under U.S. law.
Do not make decisions based on rumors or social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok).
Seek advice only from qualified legal professionals.
First Things To Do
Gather all important documents.
Speak with an immigration attorney.
Know your legal options.
Prepare an emergency family plan.
Protect your children.
Protect your finances.
Could You Qualify for Another Immigration Status?
Family Emergency Preparation Checklist
Families with Children Born in Different Countries
Many Haitian families have children born in different countries. Each child's citizenship is determined by the laws of that country.
United States
Passport + Birth Certificate + SSN
Generally a U.S. citizen at birth. Obtain a U.S. passport.
Haiti
Haitian Passport + Birth Certificate
Verify Haitian passport is current. Contact Consulate of Haiti for renewals.
Brazil
Brazilian Passport + Birth Certificate
Contact the Consulate General of Brazil if documents are missing.
Chile
Chilean Passport (if eligible)
Confirm citizenship status with the Chilean Consulate — eligibility depends on Chilean law.
Mexico
Mexican Passport + Birth Certificate
Obtain or renew a Mexican passport. Contact the Consulate of Mexico for assistance.
Protect Your Financial Future
Your immigration status may change — your financial responsibilities do not.
Protect Your Children — Emergency Plan
Choose a Trusted Caregiver
Choose someone who is at least 18 years old, responsible, and nearby. This person will care for your children if you cannot.
Speak With a Family Law Attorney
Consider setting up: Temporary Guardianship, Medical Authorization, School Authorization. An attorney can help you put these in writing.
Prepare a Child Emergency Folder
Include: birth certificate, passport, health insurance card, immunization records, school info, emergency contacts, and guardianship documents.
Inform Your Child's School and Doctors
Give the caregiver's name to your child's school and medical providers. Provide the required written authorizations.
Prepare Your Child
Make sure they know their full name, address, parents' names, caregiver's name and phone number, and other important phone numbers.
If a Parent Is Detained
Caregiver should: stay calm, call an immigration attorney immediately, notify family members, continue the child's normal routine, and keep all documents together.
"The greatest gift you can give your children is a plan."
Emergency Contacts & Consulates
Consulate General of Haiti — Miami
259 SW 13th Street, Miami, FL 33130
Services:
Consulate General of Brazil — Miami
3150 SW 38th Avenue, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33146
Services:
Consulate General of Chile — Miami
800 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1200, Miami, FL 33131
Services:
Consulate General of Mexico — Miami
2555 Ponce de Leon Blvd, 4th Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Services:
Free Legal Help in Florida
AHVED Community Support Center
Immigration Navigation · Case Management · Community Resources
Americans for Immigrant Justice
Miami
Catholic Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami
Miami • Broward • Palm Beach
Legal Services of Greater Miami
South Florida
Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC)
Statewide
Catholic Charities of Central Florida
Orlando area
Gulfcoast Legal Services
Tampa Bay area
Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)
Statewide
Florida Rural Legal Services
Rural Florida
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County
Immigration Advocates Network
National directory
USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Federal
Warning: Immigration Fraud
Never sign blank forms. Never pay cash without a receipt. No one can guarantee an immigration outcome. If someone promises you a visa or status in exchange for money — report them to your state attorney general.
What to Do If You or a Loved One Is Detained by ICE
Stay calm. Do not rely on rumors. Gather accurate information.
Find where they are held — use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System: locator.ice.gov
Contact an immigration attorney immediately — do not wait.
Notify the consulate of the person's country of citizenship.
Gather important documents (passport, birth certificate, EAD, TPS notices, attorney contact info).
Protect any children — contact the emergency caregiver right away.
Take care of finances (notify trusted family member, review mortgage/rent, bills).
If appropriate, contact your U.S. Representative or Senator (requires a signed Congressional Privacy Release Form).
Know Your Rights During an ICE Encounter
I choose to remain silent.
I want to speak with my attorney.
I do not understand this document and I would like to speak with an attorney before signing.
If ICE Comes to Your Home
- You do not have to open the door unless they have a signed judicial warrant.
- Ask to see the warrant through the window or under the door before opening.
- You have the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney.
- Do not sign any documents without speaking with an attorney first.
If You Are Stopped in Public
- Stay calm. Do not run.
- Ask if you are free to leave. If yes, calmly walk away.
- If detained, clearly state: "I choose to remain silent."
- Do not lie about your immigration status but you do not have to answer questions.
- Memorize or carry the phone number of your immigration attorney.
Download the Guide
Free to download and print. Share with your family and community.
Full Guide (9 sections)
All sections: documents, children, finances, rights, and more.
Quick Reference Edition
The essentials: stay calm, checklist, rights, contacts.
Also available online at:
ahved.org/get-help/immigration-navigation
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Need Immigration Help?
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