As we gather with our families to celebrate the holidays this season, let's remember those families who have been separated due to detention or deportation. Here are 7 things you can do to help an immigrant family in need.

Sponsor an asylum seeker - Immigrants who come to the United States to escape persecution in their home countries frequently are detained at the airport. In order to be released from detention, and better able to access lawyers and doctors who can help them with their case and ensure their wellbeing, an asylum seeker must have a sponsor who is willing to provide shelter until the case is complete, or until the individual can sustain him or herself on their own.  Individuals, groups, or organizations can sponsor asylum seekers.

Help raise money for bond - Mobilize your community and help raise bond for a detainee so that he or she can pursue their case outside of jail, with the help of their families and with better access to legal counsel.

Help raise money for a detainee's commissary fund - Immigrant detainees must pay for their own toiletry items and some forms of medicine with money from a commissary account. Those whose families cannot afford to deposit money into this account need assistance obtaining the bare essentials such as toothpaste and common pain relievers.

Help a family with child or elderly care - Many of the men and women who are detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are primary caregivers for their families. Many families cannot afford to pay for a babysitter, and would not be able to put food on the table if they stopped working in order to serve as a primary caregiver.

Help a family with groceries - When a mother or father is detained by ICE, families often lose an important source of income and struggle to cover the bills and feed their children.

Write a letter to a detainee - A note of encouragement can lift the spirits of a detained immigrant, especially those who are in custody for long periods of time.

Write a letter to Congress - Tell your Senators and Representatives to protect immigrants' and asylum seekers' human rights and access to fair treatment under our laws. Demand that Washington restore human decency to the immigrant detention system.

The National Immigrant Justice Center has several clients who could benefit from any of the above contributions. For more information about how you or your group can get involved, please contact NIJC.

Download a flyer with these tips and share this information with your own families, faith communities, classmates, and coworkers.