Available in English for free download.

2023 Maine Immigration Resource Guide

We are excited to present this guide in Spanish for free download -

With support, we will begin distribution to facilities within the state of Maine. We invite you contribute to this cause through donation.

If you are an immigrant who is currently in custody in a county/state or federal facility and are:

• facing removal (deportation) or
• charged with criminal conviction

this guide will assist you in understanding your immigration matter and possible solutions to each issue that you may be facing while in custody. It is meant to guide you to the resources that are available online and in your community to make an informed decision in your immigration legal matter. This is for the detainee and the family unit as a whole.  With a better understanding of your immigration matter you may be able to:

• ·present your matter to non-profit agencies that may be able to assist you,
• present your immigration matter to an attorney for representation, 
• assist you in supporting your attorney to present your matter to the court,
• in instances where you are unable to obtain legal representation, to present your case to the immigration courts/system if you have a valid legal claim or
• advocate for yourself if you are unable to defend yourself while in custody.

For advocates and family members to provide relevant resources to immigrants in custody within the state of Maine. 

This is not intended as legal advice, only for informational purposes.

How to Use this Resource Guide

General Use 

The Table of Contents is provided at the beginning of this guide for easy navigation to the subject matter or the question that you may have. The information is presented in a “Question & Answer” format to answer common questions on each subject matter by: 

• providing a definition of what exactly it is,     
• explaining who is eligible or who may be affected by it,     
• explaining what procedures apply or what possible legal actions may be available,
• providing resources after each section for further research if applicable to your immigration status.  

Resources  

The resources provided in this guide are separated into the following categories: 

• Guides & Information - Provides information and guidance for individuals by nonprofit agencies or schools involved with immigration. Content is often presented in layman’s terms for easy to understand information.   
• Practice Advisories - Often focus on the nuts and bolts of procedures and often cite the applicable laws used. Sample materials are often provided for reference. Books for or written by an attorney fall within this category.
• Web Pages - Web sites that provide information related to the subject matter, including articles, often provided by agencies directly involved with Immigration.
• Government Resources, Forms & Instructions – Includes web pages, guidance and resources that the government provides. Name and Number of Forms that you may be eligible for are provided. 

Information Structure

The information is separated into the following 7 sections plus additional appendixes:

1. Know Your Rights – For Immigrants in criminal proceedings and for those in detention.
2. Who is Removable - It is important to understand why the government is trying to remove you from the United States and the laws that they are attempting to use.  This section explains a Notice to Appear, and whether the government claims you are inadmissible or removal. It explains the different types of removal proceedings including regular removal proceedings, expedited removal, reinstatement of removal and administrative removal.
3. Immigrants in the Criminal Justice System – For individuals in county or state custody with an Immigration hold (detainer) placed upon them or fear that a criminal conviction will affect immigration status. 
4. Immigrants in Detention (ICE Custody) - The process that follows, after being taken into ICE custody either from home, work or a state/county facility. An overview of the detention and removal process is provided, including bond, voluntary departure, Immigration courtroom, appeal process, detention conditions and grievances.
5. Criminal Convictions – Contains an outline of criminal convictions that have Immigration consequences, in addition to potential relief from Immigration Court or through the criminal court where conviction occurred.
6. Deportation Defenses – Common defenses to deportation, including description of remedy, who is eligible and what the procedure to apply is, including Q & A for common questions.
7. Vulnerable Populations - Contains information related to current issues that immigrants often face while in detention. In addition to the standard resources provided throughout this guide, this section includes resources dedicated to each issue and direct service providers (National and within the State of Maine) related to the issue. The issues covered are Family Separation, Survivors of Crime (Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking), LGBTQ Communities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer and Transgender) and Unaccompanied & Undocumented Children.

Appendix’s 

A. Immigration Legal Agencies Listing – Contact information for the EOIR Listing for the Boston Immigration Court, in addition to agencies in Maine or the surrounding area that can provide legal assistance. A description is provided of what services are provided.

B. Immigration Resource Agencies Listing – Listing of all agencies that were cited in the answers to the questions presented in this resource and agencies involved with the resources provided, including contact information and description of the agency.

C. Government Agencies – A quick reference list of important agencies (with contact information) related to the removal of an individual in the state of Maine, is listed at the beginning of this appendix. An alphabetical listing of government agencies involved in immigration/integration is additionally provided with a brief description of roles/responsibilities, contact information and complaint procedures.

D. Immigration Laws and Acts – An overview of the laws/acts that have been enacted that make up the Immigration legal system.

Abbreviations & Acronyms – used within all the agencies directly involved with the detention and removal of immigrants within the Immigration system.

Glossary – definition of terms used within the Immigration system including ICE, DHS, EOIR, USCIS.

Reference List– APA Style – to credit all sources used throughout guide and to enable users to locate resource.

Index – Listing each page where keywords/terms are used within this guide.

We invite you to make suggestions for improvements or additions to the guide through our contact page. You may also send us an email at feedback@detaineeadvocacy.org