During challenging times, ensuring all residents have access to vital resources is a priority. The Anne Arundel Office of the County Executive—Director of Hispanic/Latino and Multicultural Resources has compiled key information to help individuals, families, and business owners navigate available support.

Please note: This is general information, not legal advice.

Resources for Employers

Employers play a crucial role in fostering a supportive and informed workplace. To help businesses prepare for potential disruptions, consider the following steps:

• Develop a response plan for unexpected workplace inspections.
• Offer Know Your Rights training for all staff members.
• Understand that both employers and employees have the right to remain silent and request legal representation.
• Establish clear public and private areas in your business. ICE can enter public areas of your business without permission (e.g. dining area, parking lot). ICE agents cannot enter a private area without a judicial warrant signed by a judge and states “U.S. District Court” or State Court at the top. 

Community Preparedness and Support

Local and national organizations offer free Know Your Rights materials and family preparedness guides. Key recommendations for residents include:

• Schedule consultations with qualified nonprofit organizations or immigration attorneys. Please advise that notaries do not have a legal background in the United States. Unfortunately, many residents are scammed out of thousands of dollars by notaries. 
• If approached by an official at home, ask to see their warrant (look through a window or under the door). Officers can only enter with a valid warrant.
• Carry a Red Card with you. All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents visit a home.
• Keep copies of important documents, including identification and pending applications.
• Centralize and make copies of essential documents (e.g., work authorization, identification, and immigration case papers).
• Establish a family preparedness plan, especially for households with children under 18.
  • • For households with children under 18, consider the following:
      
      • Consider legal tools such as Parental Designation and Consent for Standby Guardianship.
      • Add trusted adults to your child's school contact form, giving them permission to pick up your child.
      • Speak to an attorney about signing a power of attorney (e.g. trusted person to make decisions on your behalf regarding your finances, children, assets, etc.) in case you’re detained or deported. 

Legal Assistance

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights offers a helpline for Maryland residents seeking guidance:

• Adults: 202-201-3329
• Children under 18: 202-331-3320

By working together and sharing these resources, the community can provide essential support to those who need it most.

Additional Resources

• Red Cards (Available in Haitian Creole, Ukrainian, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Korean, and Vietnamese)
• Anne Arundel County 2025 Resource Guide: A Guide for Family Preparedness and Resources 
• Guía de Recursos 2025 del Condado de Anne Arundel: Preparación Familiar y Acceso a Recursos
• Toolkit to Assist People Facing Expanded Expedited Removal (2017)
• OMA Know Your Rights Centralized Resources
• Parental Designation and Consent for Standby Guardianship
• American Immigration Council: After Day One – A High-Level Analysis of Executive Actions
• Compiled White House Executive Orders (For an exhaustive list please visit the White House website)