Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutfamily-preparedness-planning-trainingGrecya Vidal Zavala, LMFT Family Preparedness Supporting Families in Immigration Preparedness This topic is something very personal to me. My Peruvian passport was issued on February 22 , 1995. My visa, better know as an I-94, has a stamp with my arrival date to the USA: October 22 , 1997. R-Visa, B1/B2 class. Expiration date: February 27 , 2005. One year before I graduated high school. nd nd th Today I am 38 years old, and I have not returned to my birth country. I earned multiple associate degrees, my undergraduate degree, and in 2020, I completed my Master’s in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Community Mental Health. I completed my practicum with the City of Berkeley, worked in an incredible East Oakland school while simultaneously working in a group private practice, and then began working with the SF Dept. of Public Health in primary care behavioral health. In 2024, I passed my clinical exam and became an LMFT. I hope I have made my ancestors proud. A little bit about me Introduction We gather on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Lisjan Ohlone people. We recognize that borders, colonization, and forced displacement are not new — they are the foundation upon which the current immigration system was built. Our work today exists within that history. Land Acknowledgment Before we begin, take a breath. This content is heavy. It may bring up fear, grief, or anger — for you, for the families you serve, for your own communities. You are not required to be neutral about injustice. You are here to equip yourself to protect and support families navigating a system designed to tear them apart. Grounding Objectives Identify core components of a Family Preparedness plan. Describe trauma- informed strategies for discussing preparedness. Explain the purpose of designating guardianship for minor children. Connect families to relevant legal, community, and rapid response resources. Guide families in organizing critical documents. Agenda Welcome & Context Know Your Rights Foundations Core Components of a Family Prep Plan Guardianship: Temporary & Long-Term BREAK Document Organization Financial Safeguards Communication Strategies Trauma-Informed Approaches Resources & Wrap-Up Naming the System Immigration “enforcement” is not about “safety” – it is about control, labor exploitation, and the criminalization of movement. Borders are colonial constructs designed to protect wealth and maintain white supremacy. Detention is incarceration – it is violence, not “management.” Family separation is a deliberate strategy to destabilize communities. Preparedness is resistance. It is an act of love and defiance. The Current Landscape (2025–2026) Aggressive door-to-door enforcement, workplace raids, and courthouse arrests. 01 02 03 04 ICE detention population jumped to nearly 73,000 – an 84% increase from early 2025. 31 people died in ICE custody in 2025 – the deadliest year in over two decades. Detentions with people with no criminal history spiked over 250%. 05 Net migration went negative – people are leaving or being forced out . This is state violence at scale. California’s Resistance State-level protections New laws require federal agents to identify themselves and limit enforcement locations. SB 54 limits local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. California law protects access to housing, healthcare, and schools regardless of status (sort of). Alameda County $3.57 million allocated for immigrant legal services, rapid response, and community outreach. ICE-free zones under consideration on county property. ACILEP rapid response hotline has fielded over 1,300 calls since relaunch. California is a site of both repression and resistance. Know Your Rights – Foundations Right to remain silent. Right to refuse to open the door without a judicial warrant. Right to not sign documents they don’t understand. Right to an attorney (not provided, but can be accessed) Right to make a phone call if detained. Key rights to communicate to families Right to access housing, healthcare, and schools (sort of). Know Your Rights – Warrants Judicial Warrant ICE Administrative Warrant Signed by a judge Allows entry into home Lists specific addresses Signed by an ICE officer Does NOT allow entry without consent Often lists only a name If there is no judicial warrant, families do not have to open the door. Core Components of a Family Prep Plan 1. Guardianship designations (temporary & long-term) 2. Document organization (IDs, medical, school, legal) 3. Financial safeguards (bank access, bills, benefits) 4. Communication plan (emergency contacts, code words, check-ins) 5. Know Your Rights information 6. Resource connections (legal aid, rapid response, mutual aid) A plan is a tool of power. It shifts control back to the family. Guardianship Overview Why it matters: Without a plan, children may be placed in state custody – the foster system is another arm of family separation. Designated caregivers can step in immediately. Provides legal documentation for schools, medical care, travel. Two types: ⟶ Temporary (informal or caregiver affidavit) ⟶ Long-term (legal guardianship through court) Temporary Guardianship Options Verbal agreement or other informal arrangement (e.g., grandma is caring for kids, no documents are signed, or mom writes a letter saying grandma can authorize medical care). Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (e.g., family friend is temporarily housing and caring for child and has signed a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit). Nomination of a Guardian (e.g., parents plan for children to stay in U.S. with maternal aunt and prepare form nominating aunt as guardian). Informal Arrangements for Care Decide who will care for children.01 02 03 04 Discuss with potential caretakers and children Consider putting plans in writing or writing a letter authorizing grandma to consent to child’s medical care. Make sure ALL providers have this information - school, day care, after school program. 05 Provider important information to potential caretaker & gather important documents. 06 Caregiver will not have legal rights to care and custody of child. Parent maintains those rights. Caregiver ’s Authorization Affidavit (CAA) An informal and simple option to consider in California is the CAA: Does not need to be signed by parents so can be filled out after detention or deportation. Filling out this form ahead of time can provide families with peace of mind, but we suggest the caretaker not sign it unless they actually need to use it. Allows any caretaker to enroll child in school. Allows relative caretakers to consent to medical care. Does not change custody. Medical Decisions Related caregiver who signs CAA can authorize general medical care “Qualified Relative” = spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling (includes step and half-siblings), uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, 1 cousin or any person denoted by the prefix “grand” or “great” or a spouse of any of these individuals, even after the marriage has ended. st Unrelated caregiver who signs CAA can authorize only school-related medical care Includes any medical treatment necessary for school enrollment, including vaccinations and physical exams. Educational Settings CAA allows any caregiver to enroll a child in school. Limitations: does not address preschools and daycare centers. does not specifically authorize participation in school activities (sports, field trips) cannot be used to consent to special education. cannot be used to transfer school records (must be done by parent or legal guardian). When Informal Arrangements & CAA Aren't Enough There's an ongoing custody dispute or prior custody order Consult with family law attorney Child has medical needs without a relative who can care for them Consider nominating another adult caretaker to be appointed guardian if parent becomes unavailable. Especially if custodial parent has an extra risk factor (e.g., order of deportation) Consider legal guardianship if: Powers of attorney are NOT a good option for child care planning in CA In California, custody of a minor cannot be transferred from a parent to a nonparent without a court order Documents called “Power of Attorney for Minor Child” or “Short-term Guardianship” do NOT transfer custody or authorize a nonparent to make decisions about a child's care, custody, and control Notarization does not make such documents any more effective. Powers of attorney MAY be used for: designating another person to handle finances, make business decisions, use money to pay rent/mortgage, provide for the child, etc. Long-Term/Guardianship Requires court filing and approval Grants broader legal authority over the minor Does NOT terminate parental rights Recommended when: ⟶ Detention/deportation is likely prolonged ⟶ The child may need to access benefits ⟶ Travel or custody disputes are possible Choosing a Guardian Who does your child trust and feel safe with? Are they willing and able to take on this role? Questions to guide families: Can this person meet your child’s daily needs? Do they have stable housing and income? Are they willing and able to take on this role? What is their immigration status? Backup guardians should also be identified. This is the family’s decision. Our role is to support, not direct . Essential documents to gather: Birth certificates (child & parents) Passports/consular IDs Social security cards Medical records/immunization records School enrollment records Guardianship paperwork/power of attorney Emergency contact list Copy of any immigration paperwork Tips: Store originals in a safe, accessible location Provide copies to the designated guardian Consider a secure digital backup (encrypted cloud or USB) Include a written letter from the parent expressing wishes for the child. Document Organization & Tips Financial Safeguards Key considerations Joint bank account access for the guardian List of recurring bills and how they’re paid Information on any benefits (Calfresh, Medi- Cal, WIC, etc) Access to safe or lockbox if cash savings are stored at home Employer contact information Communication Strategies Help families establish: Emergency contact list (family, attorney, community org, consulate) A “check-in” plan – regular calls/texts with trusted person A code word or phrase to signal emergency Instructions for contacting the detained parent Plan for explaining the situation to children (age-appropriate) Liberation-Centered Approaches Deficit Framing Liberation Framing “Vulnerable populations”People navigating violent systems “At-risk families”Families targeted by state violence Standing in solidarity with communities under attack“Helping immigrants” Self-determination and collective protection. “Compliance” Shift the frame: Trauma-Informed ≠ Neutral Safety: Create calm, private, non-judgemental space. Trustworthiness: Be honest about what you know and don’t know. Choice: Offer options, not directives – the family decides Collaboration: Work with families, not on them Empowerment: Affirm their strength, agency, and right to resist . Principles to guide your conversation: You can be trauma-informed AND politically grounded. Having the ConversationNormalize preparedness (“Many families are creating plans right now.”) Use calm & clear language Affirm that planning is an act of love AND resistance Follow the family’s pace. “We talk with all families about being prepared for emergencies—this includes having a plan if a parent can’t be there.”“Would you like information or support to make a Family Preparedness Plan for your family?” Having the Conversation Ask with purpose, not curiosity Trust is built through transparency, not avoidance. Are there any concerns about documentation or immigration status that you’d like us to know about, so we can better support your family? Sometimes families worry about accessing healthcare or sharing information—has that been true for you? Are there people you’re worried about being separated from? Has anything changed recently at home or in your family that’s made things feel more stressful? Be transparent about your intentions I’m asking because there may be resources or legal supports we can connect you with—but it’s completely your choice what you want to share. Having the Conversation Avoid Leading with status questions before building rapport Documenting legal status unless clinically essential Assuming that lack of disclosure means lack of fear Don’t use fear-based messaging Don’t assume – ask what they already know Don’t overwhelm with information all at once Don’t center yourself – this is about them Supporting Children Immigration fear is a daily reality for many kids—even without direct exposure. Fear of deportation doesn’t require direct exposure—it thrives on possibility. U.S.-born children fear losing caregivers due to raids, arrests, or detentions. Chronic Fear Toxic Stress developmental, emotional, and physical harm Behavioral signs Academic and attention challenges— even in children who appear “resilient” Somatic complaints Supporting Children Reassure them that adults are working to keep them safe.Children may already be aware of family stress. Validate their feelings without false promises. Use age-appropriate language. Connect to therapists or child-focused services if needed. Responding to Fear (Scripts & Strategies) When a child asks about deportation, detention, or separation, what matters most is that we meet the question—not avoid it, not fix it, not silence it. What helps: “That’s a really good question. I’m glad you asked.” → Shows respect, invites honesty, and reduces shame. “I see you’re scared. That makes sense.” → Validates the feeling without trying to erase it. “I’m here. We’ll face this together.” → Offers presence over certainty. That’s what they really need. Remember: Normalize the worry “A lot of kids feel this way when there’s uncertainty at home.” Avoid toxic positivity Don’t say “Everything will be fine” if you can’t guarantee it. Don’t minimize or shut it down “You don’t need to worry about that” = I can’t hold your truth. Reminder: You don’t have to have the perfect answer. You just need to be safe enough to ask, honest enough to stay, and human enough to witness. Your Role You’re not expected to be immigration law experts Offer emotional support alongside practical guidance. Refer to ACILEP or legal aid for complex legal questions Your role: inform, support, connect, and bear witness. Collective Care Reminder This work is hard. You cannot pour from an empty cup – and you shouldn’t have to pour alone. Debrief with trusted colleagues Access supervision and support Know your boundaries Remember: You are doing sacred work. Alameda County Resources ACILEP Bay Area Legal Aid Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) Alameda County Law Library & Many others! Recap ✔ Core components of a family preparedness plan ✔ Guardianship options: temporary vs. long-term ✔ Document and financial organization ✔ Communication strategies ✔ Liberation-centered, trauma-informed approaches ✔ Alameda County resources Questions & Answers