COMMUNITY
RESOURCES
Legal guides, safety plans, attorney contacts, and emergency hotlines — everything you need to know and stay safe.
Unidad Latina en Acción
(475) 323-9413
New Haven County and beyond. Rapid response and immigrant defense.
New Haven Immigrants Coalition
(854) 666-4472
Serving New Haven County immigrants and families.
Hartford Area Immigration Emergency Hotline
(959) 204-0771
Emergency immigration response for the Hartford area.
Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants
(475) 237-7351
Immigrant support and rapid response in the Danbury region.
Stamford Norwalk United for Immigrants
snuict@proton.me
Serving Stamford and Norwalk communities. Contact via encrypted email.
MIRA
(203) 435-9979
Serving Middletown and Meriden immigrant communities.
Jump to What You Need
Six Ways We Can Help
Know Your Rights
What to say — and not say — if ICE comes to your door, your car, or your workplace.
Find Legal Help
Free and low-cost immigration attorneys organized by Connecticut county. Available in multiple languages.
Safety Planning
Build your family's emergency plan step by step — documents, contacts, childcare, and legal prep.
Digital Security
Protect your phone, messages, and data. Practical tips for staying secure in a high-surveillance environment.
Bystander Resources
Guides for community members who witness immigration enforcement — how to observe, document, and support safely.
FAQ
Plain-language answers to the most common questions about rights, ICE encounters, legal aid, and family safety in CT.
Resource Library
GUIDES & MATERIALS
Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights: If ICE Comes to Your Door
Step-by-step guide on what to do if immigration officers come to your home. In English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
DOWNLOADKnow Your Rights at a Traffic Stop
What to say and what not to say if stopped by police or immigration agents while driving.
DOWNLOADKnow Your Rights at Your Workplace
Your legal rights if ICE comes to your workplace, including what employers can and cannot do.
DOWNLOADFree Printable
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARD
Print this wallet-sized card and keep it with you at all times. Share it with neighbors, family, and coworkers — it could make all the difference in a moment of crisis.
Hands Off Connecticut
Know Your Rights
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions.
You do NOT have to open the door. ICE cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
If stopped in public, say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent." You may ask if you are free to go.
Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.
⚠ An ICE administrative warrant is NOT the same as a judicial warrant. You do NOT have to open the door.
handsoffct.org
(860) 967-4234
Wallet-sized · Double-sided · Available in English & Spanish
Source: Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) · Official materials, free to distribute
Printable Resource
Family Safety Plan
Download & Print
A complete, one-page guide your family can fill out, keep on hand, and bring to any community meeting. Available in English and Spanish.
Hands Off Connecticut
Family Safety Plan
Version
2025
Family Meeting Points
- Primary: nearest school or community center
- Secondary: trusted neighbor or relative
- Out-of-area contact person & phone number
Essential Documents
- Copies of IDs, passports & birth certificates
- Immigration documents (kept securely)
- Medical records & insurance cards
Emergency Contacts
- Trusted family contacts outside CT
- Attorney or legal aid number
- Coalition rapid-response hotline
Know Your Rights Reminders
- You have the right to remain silent
- Do not open the door without a judicial warrant
- Call your attorney before signing anything
handsoffct.org
(860) 967-4234
What's Included
- Family meeting points & out-of-area contacts
- Essential documents checklist
- Emergency phone numbers & legal hotlines
- Know Your Rights quick-reference reminders
- Plan for children at school or childcare
- Power of attorney & caregiver authorization notes
Source: Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) · Official materials, free to distribute
Prefer an interactive version?
Use our step-by-step checklist below to track your progress.
FAMILY SAFETY PLAN
Complete this checklist now — before an emergency happens. Check off each step with your family. Your progress is saved automatically.
Prepare Now
Before any emergency happens
Secure Your Documents
Gather, copy, and store safely
Know Your Rights
Practice these out loud with your family
If It Happens
Step-by-step response in the moment
Resources for Bystanders
If you witness immigration enforcement in your community, you have a role to play. These guides help you document safely, protect others, and know your own rights as a witness.
Free PDF Guide
New York Immigration Coalition
What to do if you see immigration enforcement
A practical, printable guide from the New York Immigration Coalition outlining how bystanders can safely observe and document immigration enforcement encounters, support community members, and what actions are — and aren't — legal in the moment.
Source: New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) · Official materials, free to distribute
Immigrant Defense Project
Understand common ICE tactics
ICE agents commonly use deception, intimidation, and false claims to gain entry or compliance. The Immigrant Defense Project breaks down the specific tactics used — and how communities can recognize and respond to them.
Source: Immigrant Defense Project · Official materials, free to distribute
Our City Our Rights
Know your rights in encounters with law enforcement agents
A clear, accessible breakdown of your constitutional rights during encounters with local police, federal agents, and immigration enforcement — whether you're stopped on the street, in a vehicle, or at home.
Source: Our City Our Rights · Official materials, free to distribute
Bystander Alert System
Grab a Whistle
A simple whistle is one of the most effective bystander tools. Community members use them to quickly alert neighbors when immigration enforcement is spotted nearby — giving people critical seconds to get indoors and stay safe.
Widely used by community defense networks · Loud, simple, effective
PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL LIFE
Your phone and online activity can be monitored. Use encrypted tools to protect yourself and your community. Signal is the most trusted app for secure communication.
MORE DIGITAL SECURITY TIPS
Use Signal for all sensitive conversations
Signal is end-to-end encrypted — no one can read your messages, not even Signal. It's free and works like a regular texting app.
Enable disappearing messages
Set messages to automatically delete after 1 week or less. Less data stored means less risk if your phone is ever seized.
Use a screen lock & strong PIN
Protect your phone with a 6+ digit PIN. You have the right to refuse to unlock your phone without a warrant.
Be careful what you share online
Avoid posting locations of community meetings, events, or people's immigration status on public social media.
Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi
Public networks at libraries, coffee shops, or community centers can be monitored. A VPN encrypts your traffic.
Printable Resource
Digital Security Guide
Download & Print
A one-page printable guide covering encrypted messaging, device security, privacy settings, and what to do if you are detained. Available in English and Spanish.
Hands Off Connecticut
Digital Security Guide
Version
2025
Encrypted Messaging
- Use Signal for all sensitive conversations
- Enable disappearing messages (1–7 days)
- Never discuss immigration status over regular SMS
Device Security
- Use a strong PIN (6+ digits) — not fingerprint alone
- Enable full-disk encryption on your phone
- Turn off Face ID / Touch ID before protests or raids
Privacy Settings
- Turn off location services for all apps
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks
- Review and limit app permissions regularly
If Detained or Stopped
- Power off your phone immediately — don't just lock it
- You have the right to refuse to unlock your device
- Do not use biometrics — agents can compel fingerprints
handsoffct.org
(860) 967-4234
What's Included
- Signal & encrypted messaging setup tips
- Device security: PIN, encryption & biometrics
- Disappearing messages & data minimization
- Location off, VPN tips & app permission guide
- What to do if detained — phone shut-off protocol
- Emergency contacts fill-in section
Don't have Signal yet?
Download it free at signal.org — the most trusted encrypted messenger.
Common Questions
Answered
Clear, plain-language answers to the most common questions about immigrant rights, ICE encounters, legal aid, and family safety in Connecticut.
These answers may also appear directly in Google search results as rich snippets.
Still have questions?
Our network can connect you with a legal aid attorney in Connecticut.
COMMUNITY DEFENSE
COMPLETE GUIDE
Download our comprehensive 40-page Community Defense Guide — covers rapid response, know your rights, safety planning, and building a neighborhood defense network.
DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDEFree Legal Help
Find Legal Aid
Near You
Every organization listed here offers free or low-cost immigration legal services in Connecticut. Filter by county to find help close to home.
13 organizations found
New Haven Legal Assistance Association
New Haven County
Deportation Defense · DACA Renewals · Asylum
Unidad Latina en Acción
New Haven County + Statewide
Rapid Response · Emergency Accompaniment · Know Your Rights
Connecticut Legal Services (Statewide)
Statewide
Immigration · Family Law · Housing · Benefits
IRIS – Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
New Haven County
Refugee Resettlement · Asylum · Work Authorization
Hartford Legal Aid
Hartford County
Deportation Defense · Family Petitions · DACA
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Hartford County
Immigration · Housing · Employment Rights
Make the Road Connecticut
Statewide
Deportation Defense · Worker Rights · Policy Advocacy
ACLU CT Immigrant Rights Project
Statewide
Civil Rights · Detention Cases · Policy & Litigation
Statewide Legal Services of CT
Statewide
General Immigration · Naturalization · DACA
Danbury Legal Aid
Fairfield County
Immigration · Housing · Consumer Law
Open Door Shelter – Norwalk
Fairfield County
Emergency Legal Assistance · Benefits · Shelter
Middlesex County Legal Aid
Middlesex / New London
Immigration · Family Law · Housing
New Horizons – Northwest CT
Northwest CT
Immigration · Domestic Violence · Benefits
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know has been detained or is facing an imminent raid, call the emergency hotlines listed at the top of this page first. For scheduled consultations, use the directory above.