Who developed Ready Now!?

ReadyNow! was developed by the Innovation Lab at Human Rights First, a product design and development team that partners with advocates and impacted communities to develop custom technology that supports human rights.

Why did you make ReadyNow!?

The Alert Button was developed to empower targeted communities to fight back and take care of their families in the event they are detained by ICE. 

What is the National Immigration Legal Responders Alliance (NILRA)?

The National Immigration Legal Responders Alliance (NILRA) is a network of immigration legal service providers (LSPs) and advocates working together to expand access to legal support for immigrants, especially in urgent situations involving detention, imminent deportation, or raids. NILRA strengthens the capacity of on-the-ground organizations by resourcing and coordinating national and regional efforts to protect immigrant communities.

Learn more at www.nilra.org.

How can NILRA help connect me with legal support?

When setting up your emergency plan, you will have the option to opt in and give Human Rights First permission to share your information with NILRA in the event of your detention or arrest. If you choose to include NILRA in your emergency plan by opting in, and you activate the alert button, your information will be shared with us so we can attempt to connect you with a trusted immigration legal service provider (LSP) from the network.

Please note: Opting in does not guarantee that NILRA will be able to match you with a LSP. Matches depend on provider availability, your location, and the specific legal need. If a direct match is not possible, NILRA will do its best to provide alternative referrals or helpful resources.

How does ReadyNow protect user data?

ReadyNow was designed in close collaboration with cybersecurity experts to prioritize user privacy and safety at every step. Until a user activates the alert button, all emergency plan data is encrypted and stored locally on the user’s phone — not in the cloud — and protected by the device's lock screen or passcode.

If a user presses the ReadyNow alert button, their emergency plan is immediately:

• Sent via text message to pre-assigned contacts (family, legal aid, caregivers), and then

• Wiped  from the phone to protect the data if the device is seized and searched. 

This two-part system ensures that no sensitive information remains on the device after an alert is sent.

Can ICE or DHS access the data if someone is detained?

No. Once the alert button is pressed, the user’s emergency plan — including all stored messages and contact info — is permanently deleted from their phone. This is designed to protect them in case their device is searched or confiscated.

What if the user isn’t able to press the alert button — what protects their emergency plan?

If a user is unable to activate the ReadyNow alert button and their phone is accessed by ICE or DHS, the following safeguards are in place:

• Data is stored only on the device, not in the cloud, reducing exposure to remote access.

• The app and its emergency plan are protected by the phone’s lock screen. Without unlocking the phone, no one — including ICE or DHS — can open the app or access its contents. We encourage everyone to use numeric or pattern-based passcodes (not biometric passkeys, such as fingerprints or facial recognition).

There is also a feature that helps users share a copy of their emergency plan with key contacts in advance in case they are unable to press the button at the time of arrest.

What if someone does get past the lock screen on a user’s phone — can they access emergency plan data?

Even if a phone is unlocked, ReadyNow has its own layer of protection. To access an already-created emergency plan, the user must go through:

1. Phone number verification, and

2. A second step of authentication (2FA) via a one-time code sent to that number.

This prevents unauthorized access to the emergency plan within the app — even if someone has the phone in hand. So unless ICE or DHS can unlock the phone, access the user’s phone number, receive and view the user's text messages, and pass the 2FA step, they will not be able to access the stored emergency plan within ReadyNow.

What happens if the user doesn’t have service when they are faced with arrest?

If a user does not have cell service or Wi-Fi when they press the alert button, messages may not go out immediately. The app will attempt to send the messages once service is restored. However, users should keep a copy of their emergency plan elsewhere and notify key emergency contacts if / when they will be visiting a high-risk location that may not have service, such as a courthouse or airport. 

What happens if the button is pressed by mistake?

If a user accidentally presses the alert button, they have a 3-second window to cancel before any messages are sent.

If they don’t cancel in time:

• Their emergency messages will go out to their assigned contacts,

• Their emergency plan will be wiped from the device for safety.

This can’t be undone. We strongly recommend users keep a personal copy of their plan in case they need to rebuild it later. If a false alert is sent, users should contact their emergency contacts right away to clarify that they are safe.

What can a user do use ReadyNow in the most safe and effective way possible?

• Choose a strong phone passcode and avoid using facial recognition or fingerprint 

• Keep the app accessible on the main screen of their device, 

• Keep a backup of their emergency plan somewhere that is accessible to key emergency contacts 

• Notify key emergency contacts when visiting high-risk locations that may not have service 

• Open the ReadyNow app anytime they feel at all at risk so the alert button is accessible