Gov. Malloy Issues 'Detention Or Deportation' Guide To Immigrants

As part of his ongoing efforts to help Connecticut's immigrant population, Gov. Dannel Malloy Wednesday released a "toolkit" for immigrant parents that offers a "step-by-step guide" to set up a plan for the care of their children "in the event that they are detained or deported."

The toolkit was developed by his office, several Connecticut state agencies, and relevant stakeholders, and comes on the heels of Malloy's recommendations to school districts and law enforcement on how to handle aggressive federal immigration enforcement.

"We want to make sure that people have a plan in place should immigration action separate their families," said the governor in a statement. "It is estimated that there are around 22,000 U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrant parents living in Connecticut. I strongly encourage anyone with these kinds of concerns to utilize this toolkit, fill out the forms, and have a plan in place."

The Family Preparedness Plan, which is available in English and Spanish, includes information on steps people can take on their own – without the help of an attorney – to develop a child care plan, and includes important forms and documents that families can fill out and store in a safe place where they can be accessed if needed. The plan also includes information on where to find immigration legal assistance, and guidance on how to avoid immigration scams.

The toolkit can be downloaded online as a PDF document through Malloy's website at: http://portal.ct.gov/FamilyPreparedness.

Additionally, the document is being electronically distributed to a number of partnering organizations throughout Connecticut, including town governments, school districts, libraries, legal services organizations, and the United Way 2-1-1, according to officials. Other groups are encouraged to download it and share it with interested parties who may find it useful.

The state estimates that if undocumented parents are deported and the 22,000 children mentioned above enter foster care, the cost to Connecticut could exceed $630 million.

The Governor explained that the toolkit is needed to help address concerns of parents worried about what might happen to their children if they are deported or detained, and to ensure that these children – who themselves may be United States citizens – will remain safe with a "standby guardian" of their parents’ choosing. Having parents designate a standby guardian also prevents these children from being placed in state care. There is no cost to fill out any of the forms contained in this toolkit, and they may be completed without the involvement of attorneys or any court.

"If even just some of the children of undocumented immigrants are forced into state care as a result of being deprived of their parents or caretakers, the emotional toll on the children will be egregious," said state Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz in a statement. "The most important thing for a parent to do right now is to identify whom they want to care for their children and to talk to their children to ensure them they will be taken care of well."

Added Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, "I appreciate the Governor’s commitment to talking directly about this issue, because the simple steps in the Family Preparedness Plan can make a big difference for families who are living with a lot of fear and uncertainty. I’m proud of Connecticut, and I also want to make clear that Hartford’s programs and services remain open to all residents regardless of their immigration status, from our city offices, schools, and libraries, to our safety and social services."

For more information and to download the Family Preparedness Plan, click here.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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