10 safety measures for asylum seekers
This resource was created by the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP). You can view the original resource and any updates on ASAP’s website: https://help.asylumadvocacy.org/safety-measures/ Last updated on March 11, 2025
Here are some steps that asylum seekers can take to protect themselves and their families in the United States. Despite recent immigration changes, asylum seekers still have rights. We are proud to support you.
- You do not have to open your door to immigration officials unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
Immigration officials are supposed to have a judicial warrant – a document signed by a judge – before they can enter your home. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forms signed by ICE officers do NOT give them permission to enter your home without your consent. You do not need to open the door unless the official has a judicial warrant, and you can ask to see a warrant before you open the door. (examples of these warrants are available on the ASAP website).
- When you leave home, carry a United States ID if you have one.
If you have a U.S. identification card such as a driver’s license or state ID, carry it with you when you leave home. You can choose to show your ID if you are stopped outside of your home by the police or immigration officials. If you do not have a U.S. driver’s license or state ID, you can choose to show your work permit if you have one.
See further advice at https://help.asylumadvocacy.org/ if you have an upcoming immigration court hearing or ICE check-in.
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- Be careful when driving.
If you are careful when you are driving, you can lower your risk of being stopped by the police. Carry your U.S. driver’s license if you have one and get car insurance as required by law in all states. Drive carefully and obey the traffic laws.
- Think carefully about what you share on social media.
The government has said that they will start asking people to include their social media accounts on immigration applications, including the asylum application. The government has said it can use information from social media to identify immigrants’ locations. The government has also said it can deny immigration benefits based on political opinions, gender identity, and other criteria that were shared on social media.
Think carefully about what information you share and make available online. If you no longer use a social media account, consider deleting it. If you decide to delete your social media account and it has evidence about your asylum case or other information that is important to you, take screenshots or print copies before deleting.
- If you have family or friends who are traveling outside the United States, they may want to return as soon as possible.
Multiple news outlets have reported that the U.S. government could soon prevent people who are from specific countries from entering the United States, even if they were traveling with a valid visa. Some countries of origin that could be impacted are Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, but we do not know the final list. If you or a loved one is currently traveling outside the U.S., consider returning to the U.S. immediately.
- If you have been in the U.S. for more than 2 years, carry documents that prove this.
The government has said that immigrants who have been in the United States for less than two years have fewer immigration protections. So the goal is to show that you arrived in the U.S. more than two years ago and have lived in the U.S. since then. A single document can sometimes show a long period of time, for example a cell phone bill that shows multiple months.
These are some documents you could carry that show your name, U.S. address, and date:
- internet, phone, electricity, or other bills
- medical or school records
- bank or credit card statements
- lease agreements or property deeds
- car, home, or health insurance statements
- other mail or documents
- If you get arrested by immigration officials and are afraid to return to your country of origin, state that clearly.
If you are arrested by immigration officials and you are afraid of returning to your country of origin, try to say – every chance you have – that you are afraid to return. If you have already applied for asylum, say that you have an asylum application pending.
Do not sign any documents you cannot read or understand on your own. Ask to speak to a lawyer, then call your lawyer if you have one, or call a loved one who can help. Find legal helpat https://help.asylumadvocacy.org/.
- Memorize the phone numbers of people you trust and ask them for help in case of an emergency.
Memorize the phone number of at least one person you trust. That way you can still call them, even if you lose access to your phone. Ask them if they can help in case of an emergency, for example help picking children up from school or taking children to doctors’ appointments. See the Amjambo Africa website for a PDF of a blank emergency plan.
- Save your important documents in a safe place.
Make sure that your important documents and information are stored in a safe place. For example, this could include your passport, immigration documents, financial information, medical information, account logins, and important phone numbers. Tell someone else that you trust where they can find this information in an emergency.
- Sign up for ASAP membership to get urgent updates.
Every month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) provides all members with free legal updates by email or text message. ASAP membership is completely free, and is designed for asylum seekers in the United States. Sign up at https://help.asylumadvocacy.org/members/.
