How does one volunteer to be a guardian of children whose parents get deported?

[Stinky The Clown]

I know this is an incredibly sensitive issue. I know the risk of child endangerment or exploitation is high. But how can we help the children of deported parents remain in the US - where they are citizens and have full citizenship rights?

Ideally, families who are without documents will plan ahead, enact power of attorney with a trusted person, and advise their children of what to do in the event the parents are taken away.

That's the ideal.

What about when it isn't ideal? Are there organizations vetting potential guardians for these kids? Are they looking into people with homes willing to shelter the kids for a few days or weeks until other, better arrangements are made?

Does ICE or DS care? Might they even help? Are they legally able to help?

What about NGOs here at home? Immigrant advocacy groups.

I have no idea, but we'd like to help. Even if not caring for a kid or kids directly, where to give support in other ways?

[Sanity Claws]

1. Get in touch with immigrant rights groups in your area

They will put you in touch with programs that have been set up.

I work for a nonprofit legal services organization focused on immigration and related services. That's what I base my suggestion on.

[elleng]

2. Quick search found this:

http://www.immigrationfamilylawyer.com/blog/maryland-immigration-law/2017/03/28/contingency-planning-undocumented-parents/

[sweetapogee]

3. If I had kids

and If I were being deported, regardless of the reasons or the politics behind the deportation, I would be taking my kids with me.

[janterry]

4. There's a lot you can do to help

besides being a guardian. I agree with contacting a local organization. I just wanted to say that, ime, most of these families do have extended family members in the US that they can place their kids with (not all, of course, but most). Those families will also need help -

[calikid]

5. My wife and I have signed power of Attorney

from the parents of a young man that works for us. We also have POA on his two younger siblings.
ICE has been in the area and taken whole families away, as well as green carded people.
The ironic part to this whole mess is that the local republican farmers are rather upset that their workers aren't showing up, they are having problems keeping their operations going smoothly.

[KittyWampus]

6. Contact your town's Human Services Dept. I'm on an Advisory Board and that's the Dept

that helps families out.

They are now handing out information packets for parents to compile all information concerning their kids- medical, birth records etc and also determining who will watch kids if something happens and who has Power of Attorney.