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Ice on Immigration:
What if,
undocumented, I’m jailed?
By L. Patricia Ice, Featured
Columnist
Question: I am an undocumented immigrant, so there is always a
chance that I could be apprehended and jailed by the police or
immigration agents. What I can do in advance to protect my property and
prepare for my sudden incarceration in case that happens?
Answer: You are smart for thinking about this in advance. It is a good
idea to give one or more trusted friends or relatives who are lawful
permanent residents, United States citizens or who have other valid
immigration statuses a key to your house, your vehicles and any other
property that you own. You should also give your trusted friend or
relative your address, telephone number and the names, addresses and
phone numbers of close relatives in your home country so s/he can
contact your family if you are incarcerated and/or deported. You should
also have the correct name and the land line phone number of that
trusted friend, relative and your attorney so that you can make a
collect call from jail in case you have to. Some jails will only allow
you to call persons named on a list. It is also a good idea to keep some
clean clothes and packaged underwear in a place easily accessible to
your trusted friend or relative so that s/he may bring it to you in jail
if necessary. Most jails will only allow white new underwear inside for
inmates.
You
should also know the names and dosages of any prescription medicines
that you may need in jail.
I
also suggest that you prepare a notarized power of attorney that would
give your trusted friend or relative the ability to do business with
your bank or other agencies on your behalf. A lawyer can prepare a
valid power of attorney for you.
Finally, it is a good idea to save as much money as you can and have it
in a place that your trusted friend or relative can get it for you. You
may need money to pay for bonds, fines, legal and travel expenses.
Bonds, fines and legal expenses can cost thousands of dollars, so the
more money you save, the better.
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