2024 Election: Prepare for What’s Next

What Can I Do

After reading this far, you may think, that’s all very nice, but what can I really do about all of this?

Get a lawyer

As we have said a lot of times, start by making sure you have a lawyer, and talk with that lawyer. Yes, it costs some money to pay for a lawyer, but when you are arrested, it is very difficult to find a lawyer from jail. And, depending on your situation, you may not have the right to a free lawyer.

A lawyer not only can give you advice, they are the only person who must be allowed to talk to you. Your family and friends may not be able to get in touch with you, or you with them, but your lawyer must have access to you. Also, only your lawyer can talk with you without the police or immigration listening. Without a lawyer, your family or friends may not be able to find out what happened to you, where you are, or if you are even still alive.

When you have a lawyer, make sure you learn their phone number by heart. When you get arrested, the first thing they may take from you is your phone. You always have a right to call your lawyer, but they may not give you your phone back to find the number. Learn your lawyer’s number, and practice it every day!

Also, make sure that your friends and family know who your lawyer is, and how to contact them. They are going to be very worried when they hear you are arrested, or even just don’t show up. The first thing they should do is reach out to your lawyer and let them know.

Know your rights

This was discussed extensively on a previous page, 2024 Election: Interacting with Officials. Know what to do when the worst happens.

Organize your papers

Make sure you have all your papers, including birth certificate, identification car, passport, immigration papers, medical papers, insurance, car title, and so on, in one place, and make sure your friends and family know where to find those. You may have a copy on your phone, but your phone may have been taken away.

Make sure your friends and family have your “A” number, if you have one. Without the “A” number, they won't be able to find out anything about you.

Plan for your children

Have a plan for your children, if you get arrested. Have friends or family identified who will take care of your children. Make sure those friends or family know about this. Make sure those friends or family are listed as allowed to pick up your children from school, day care, etc. Make sure your children (if they are old enough) know about this. If you get arrested, make sure you tell the arresting officer who will take care of your children. Otherwise, Social Services may try to take your children.

Make sure your children’s insurance (Medicaid, if that’s what you have) is up to date. Make sure they have all the vaccines they need. Make sure that your children’s identity papers (birth certificate, passport if they have it) are in a safe place.

Children who are citizens

If you have children who were born here in the United States, then those children are American citizens. They cannot be forcefully deported. So that means you have to think about what you want to happen with them, if you get deported. Do you want to take them with you? Or do you want to leave them behind here in the United States. If you want them to stay here, where are they going to stay? If you want them to come back to Guatemala, do you want them to be with you in the detention camp? Or do you want them safe with friends, and have them brought to Guatemala later?

For children who are citizens, make sure they have an American passport, and you have their American passport in a safe place. Also, make sure they have a Guatemalan passport, if possible, and have that safe somewhere.

Next: 2024 Election: Resources