The Brief A legal document called a delegation of parental authority (DOPA) is gaining popularity among immigrant families. A legal safeguard known as the Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) is becoming a vital tool for immigrant families worried about separation by ICE. The document is signed and notarized, providing a safety net for families who fear separation. Immigrant families, even those legally in the U.S. on work visas or seeking asylum, are increasingly using DOPA to ensure their children are cared for in the event of detention. Families taking in children under DOPA are preparing by buying extra beds and learning about the children's needs, hoping they never have to use the document.