Readiness worksheet

Private readiness worksheet

Your entries stay only in this tab and are cleared when it closes. The PDF is created here; nothing is stored or sent to a server.

Private: This site does not store or send your entries. They remain in this tab while you work. Use Clear fields when finished. Saved or printed PDFs remain with you; keep them secure. This worksheet is not a court petition or a privacy release.

Download blank PDF Includes none of the entries on this page.

Featured resource

DetentionHelp: free help preparing a habeas petition

Built by ASAP, Human Rights First and National Immigration Project for people in U.S. immigration detention and loved ones preparing a petition without a lawyer. It offers guided questions, court documents and instructions.

Use our readiness worksheet to organize facts and contacts; visit DetentionHelp to explore petition preparation. You can visit it without completing this worksheet first.

Visit DetentionHelp (opens in a new tab) View sample (do not file) (opens in a new tab)

Review eligibility and risks. The detained person decides and signs; “next friend” filing is not supported. The court packet is in English. Do not file the sample. Counsel, release and stopping a transfer are not guaranteed.

Saving your progress and privacy

DetentionHelp saves progress in your browser so you can return later. Read the full policy, including public court records and clearing data on shared devices. Opening this link does not transfer answers from our worksheet.

DetentionHelp privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Full nameCurrent or last confirmed facilityCity, county and state of that locationLast confirmation date, time and time zoneWho confirmed the location and howInitial arrest location: city, county and stateInitial arrest date, time and time zoneKnown or reported transfers, dates and sourcesCourt and contact to review with counselCongressional office and contact, if applicableSafe location of privacy authorizations, if anyOther namesA-numberCountry of birthDate of entryManner of entryPrior release paperwork typePaperwork dateStatute cited on paperwork, if shownYears of U.S. residenceU.S.-citizen childrenSpouse and family tiesImmigration court case number(s), if knownCriminal case number, court and state, if relevantTrusted person authorized to act for the familyContact for that personAttorney contactEmergency contactsNearest consulate emergency numberSchool emergency contact updatedLocation of child medical and medication notes recorded

Detention event, health and case details (optional)

Original detaining agency or department, if knownOfficer name, badge number or other identifier, if knownLocal-agency involvement with ICE, including 287(g), if mentionedDetainer, arrest paperwork, or report/incident number, if anyFederal habeas court and case number, if already filedUrgent medical or accommodation needInjury or medical concern: date, time, place, and care requested/receivedDocuments, photos, messages, witnesses, and where copies are kept

Injury, medical care, or property concern

If an injury, property loss, or death may involve federal conduct, an attorney can assess whether an administrative claim is appropriate. Standard Form 95 is one way to present certain claims against the United States. It generally must reach the appropriate agency within two years, requires a specific dollar amount, and is not a habeas petition, medical request, or detention grievance.

Official Standard Form 95 information (opens in a new tab) · Additional National Immigration Project information (opens in a new tab)

Family plan and help

Consider a small flexible fund for calls, commissary, transport, copying, mailing, or other attorney-directed costs. Confirm the location and the facility’s current rules before sending funds.

Browse resources by state

ILRC family plan (opens in a new tab) — Family planning in several languages. Its caregiver affidavit and joint guardianship options are California-specific; other states differ.

National Immigration Legal Services Directory (opens in a new tab)

Help from a congressional office

A House or Senate office may help request information from a federal agency. Find the office serving your home address and ask for immigration constituent casework. The office will confirm whom it can assist. This request does not replace urgent legal help or a court filing.

Find your House representative (opens in a new tab)Find senators and offices (opens in a new tab)

Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands have an elected House Delegate or Resident Commissioner but no Senate representation; the Senate link above does not apply.

Privacy authorization

Ask that office for its current privacy-release form for the relevant agency. Offices may require different forms and signatures. A family member should not assume they can sign for someone else: if the person is detained or cannot sign, ask what authorization or proof of representation the office accepts. This site’s readiness worksheet is not a privacy release.

When a detained person seeks help from a congressional office

If they can, ask the detained person to complete the privacy-release form required by the congressional office. They may also ask the facility law library for the DHS/ICE privacy-release form available on request. Download ICE/DHS privacy-release PDF (opens in a new tab)

If detention is a risk, ask the office in advance whether it accepts a release prepared ahead of time, whether its date should stay blank until use, which agency it must name, and when it needs a new one. Do not predate a signature. Keep a copy in a safe place and tell a trusted contact where it is. If someone wants another person to help outside the office’s instructions, consult a lawyer about whether a limited authorization is appropriate. A release lets an office request or receive certain information; it does not appoint a lawyer, replace a court filing, or guarantee a response, release, or stopped transfer.

Send sensitive documents only through the channel confirmed by the office. A congressional inquiry does not guarantee a favorable response or itself stop a transfer or removal.

Examples of official office requirements

ICE-only privacy authorization form — Rep. Raskin (opens in a new tab) · ICE custody assistance — Rep. Ruiz (opens in a new tab)