KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
All people in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have constitutional rights and protections.
Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Know your rights: Immigration staff advises
Published: April 8, 2025
Jennifer Verkamp-Ruthven, director of Catholic Immigration Services for the Diocese of Little Rock, sent the following letter, April 8, 2025, to pastors and parish staff members to assist them in serving the needs of their immigrant parishioners in Catholic parishes in Arkansas.
"Dear pastors and parish staff,
"Since the new administration took office in January, a flurry of executive orders has changed or attempted to change federal immigration policies, and this has caused a high level of fear and anxiety among our immigrant brothers and sisters in our diocese.
"This has led us in Catholic Immigration Services, a program under Catholic Charities of Arkansas, to be more public about our commitment to serving people in our communities with immigration issues who cannot afford an attorney. Catholic Immigration Services has two offices: one located in Springdale near St. Raphael Catholic Church and the other in Little Rock at St. John Catholic Center.
"Our primary work is providing low-cost immigration counseling and support to families and individuals who are eligible for immigration benefits, and we refer people who can afford an attorney or a for-profit law firm. All requests for immigration assistance are screened, and we do this through a brief consultation meeting that can be scheduled by calling one of our offices. The main number for Catholic Immigration Services in Springdale is (479) 927-1996. To contact the Catholic Immigration Services in Little Rock, call the main number for the diocese at (501) 664-0340 and ask to be transferred to Catholic Immigration Services.
"We would also like to offer the following additional services and guidance in case it might be helpful to members of your parish(es):
- — We have immigration specialists on staff who are available to make a know your rights presentation in Spanish to our parishes. To schedule a presentation, please call the Catholic Immigration Services office in Little Rock. | Call (501) 664-0340 for Presentation.
- — We are distributing Know Your Rights cards in Spanish and English that were created by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. We are offering these to undocumented immigrants to carry with them should they have an encounter with law enforcement. They should also take the time to understand what the card says before an incident occurs. | Download Know Your Rights Card.
- — We are providing a two-page summary with basic know your rights information for situations involving an interaction with law enforcement in Spanish and English. | Download Know Your Rights Summary.
- — Catholic Charities of Arkansas has a power of attorney form that provides a guardian for minor children in the absence of a parent. Only the English version can be used as a legally enforceable document, and it must be signed and notarized. We offer a Spanish version that can be used to help explain what the English version says. | Download Guardianship Power of Attorney Form.
- — Legal Aid of Arkansas also has power of attorney form for finances that permits someone to take the place of a parent with a family’s finances. This form must be accessed from their website. Only the English version can be used as a legally enforceable document, and it must be signed and notarized. We offer a Spanish version that can be used to help explain what the English version says. | Download Finances Power of Attorney Form.
- — We have compiled a list of immigration attorneys who have agreed with us to be contacted by anyone needing legal immigration assistance. This is an important resource because our office cannot represent anyone who is in detention or who has a criminal background. These individuals will need an attorney’s legal counsel, and our list of immigration attorneys may be helpful to them. | Download List of Immigration Attorneys.
- — We are blessed to have people contacting us, some for the first time, to ask how they can help. We invite them to pray for us and the people we serve, especially those who are living in fear and anxiety because of their immigration status. We also let them know that we welcome donations that can be made payable to Catholic Immigration Services and mailed to the Diocese of Little Rock, 2500 North Tyler St., Little Rock, AR, 72207. There is also an online giving option. | See Ways to Donate.
"Note: All of the above information is also on the know your rights resource pages in English and Spanish.
"In his immigration statement on Jan. 23, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor said: “You and I are being offered a unique and privileged opportunity to share the mind and heart of Jesus, the same Jesus whom we honor with so many images of the Sacred Heart, his heart visible, crowned with thorns and on fire with love. And that is who he now invites us to be, Christ for others.”
"Thank you for joining us at Catholic Immigration Services in our mission of being Christ to our immigrant brothers and sisters in their time of need, and please know that we are grateful for your support and that of your parishioners.
"Sincerely in Christ,
Jennifer Verkamp-Ruthven
Director
Catholic Immigration Services
Catholic Charities of Arkansas
Diocese of Little Rock"
