Resources to prepare for federal immigration enforcement agents

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This page was last updated Weds, March 18, 2026. We will update this page as we receive additional information and resources. If you have resources you believe should be included here, please email us at contact[at]homelessinfo[dot]org.

Find an upcoming virtual training hosted by the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) here. Trainings offered in both English and Spanish:

  • Know Your Rights
  • Rapid Response preparations

Know Your Rights!

Family Safety Planning

Legal Counsel for Children and Youth (LCYC) offers the opportunity to consult with families as they develop Family Safety Plans, with resources in multiple languages. Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) has compiled good information as well.

For Service and Housing Providers

Take these basic steps to prepare for federal immigration enforcement agents at your service or housing site:

  1. Make sure your physical locations have clear, visible, up-to-date signage indicating PRIVATE areas, and STAFF and RESIDENTS or GUESTS ONLY. You can use or customize this “PRIVATE AREAS” sign template in English (provided by WAISN).
  2. Ensure that all staff have training and clear protocols for what to do if ICE or other agents show up, harass or threaten people, or try to access your program. Here is a useful document (published by the nonprofit law firm Public Counsel in January 2025) with FAQs, policy templates, and sign templates for nonprofit and small businesses to help plan for visits from immigration enforcement agents. 

In partnership with the King County Regional Housing Authority and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), we hosted a training to prepare service providers in April 2025. While information about the most effective protections changes rapidly, this training reviews key information and includes links to more resources. This training is for educational purposes ONLY. The information provided is not individualized legal advice. Individuals with immigration questions should seek the advice and counsel of an experienced immigration attorney. 

Take Action to Keep Families Housed

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed a new rule that would strip federal housing assistance from entire families when a single family member cannot provetheir U.S. citizenship or eligibility. This jeopardizes housing for 80,000 people nationwide including 37,000 children. One in four children—who are U.S. citizens—have a least one immigrant parent. HUD’s proposed rule would force families to separate or stay together and become homeless. Learn more from the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

HUD is accepting comments on this proposed rule until Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Submit a comment in opposition here. Find templates for your comments here (provided by the Keep Families Together). HUD is required to review all comments. You can submit a comment anonymously or you can include your information.