TAMPA, Fla. \u2014\u00a0A local immigration law firm has created an emergency toolkit to help families be prepared in the event that they, or someone they know is detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The plan includes steps like knowing your immigration rights, filing a power of attorney and more<\/p>\n
For people like Sabrina Correa, it\u2019s a tool that is helping provide peace of mind<\/p>\n
Sabrina Correa immigrated from Venezuela two years ago, and is in the country on a pending asylum\u00a0case.<\/p>\n
Her daily checklist doesn’t involve groceries or household tasks \u2014 it\u2019s an emergency plan for her family\u2019s future. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have a child who is autistic and it would be an emotional crash for him to be without his mother,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s taken steps to protect her family, including setting up a power of attorney, in case she or her husband is detained.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor all these countries it\u2019s been a legal pathway, but under this administration that could change,\u201d Correa said. <\/p>\n
She\u2019s taking these steps\u00a0with the help of a free tool called the Plan de Emergencia<\/a>,\u00a0or Emergency Plan.<\/a><\/p>\n The toolkit was created by Mobility Immigration Law Firm after attorneys there said they noticed an increase in immigration enforcement activity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe started seeing an uptick in the number of people being detained and ICE activity in Florida,\u201d said attorney William Gearhart.<\/p>\n Attorneys say the toolkit is designed to help families prepare for the unknown and make critical decisions before a crisis happens.<\/p>\n The eight-step plan includes:<\/p>\n Learning about your immigration options \u201cIt is important that we all take a look at this emergency plan and prepare for the worst, but expect the best,\u201d said Mobility Immigration Law Firm manager Natalia Arellano.<\/p>\n
\nCreating\u00a0a family emergency plan to-do list
\nDeveloping a childcare plan
\nKnowing your rights
\nWhat to do if detained
\nOrganizing\u00a0important contact information
\nEstablishing limited power of attorney
\nAnd temporary power of attorney<\/p>\n