What to Do If ICE Detains a Family Member

First steps when you learn about the detention

Choose one trusted person to coordinate calls and keep a written record. Share confirmed information rather than rumors. Use this checklist to organize your first actions.

1. Stay calm and write down what you know: your relative's full legal name, birth date, country of birth, any A-number, and when and where the detention happened. Save messages and the names of anyone who contacted you.
2. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator. You can search with the A-number and country of birth, or use the name and country of birth, adding the date of birth to narrow the search. Check spelling and alternate last names.
3. If no result appears, do not assume your relative has been released or deported. Records may not appear immediately, and the locator does not list everyone, including people under 18. Contact the relevant ICE office or a lawyer for help locating them.
4. If you reach your relative, encourage them to remain calm, use their right to remain silent, and request a lawyer. They should not sign documents without speaking to a lawyer or agree to something they do not understand.
5. Contact an immigration attorney quickly. Provide the detention location, A-number if available, and copies of any papers. Mention medical needs, upcoming hearings, prior removal orders, or any immediate concerns about safety.

Protect your relative's rights and communication

Your relative may exercise the right to remain silent rather than answer questions about birthplace, immigration history, or how they entered the country. They should not lie, use false documents, or claim U.S. citizenship if that is not true. A lawyer can explain which information must be provided in the particular setting.

In immigration proceedings, a person may have a lawyer at their own expense; the government generally does not provide one. Asking for counsel does not mean an attorney will automatically be assigned. Your family can help by finding representation and confirming how confidential legal calls or visits are arranged.

Ordinary detention calls may be monitored or recorded. Keep family calls focused on practical needs and avoid discussing sensitive case details. Ask the facility about approved ways to communicate, deliver medication information, or arrange visits. If your relative needs an interpreter, encourage them to ask for one rather than guess what a document means.

Understand bond without assuming eligibility

An immigration judge may set bond in some cases. Bond is a payment connected to release while a case continues, not permission to stay permanently. A bond hearing generally addresses custody, while the immigration case addresses whether the person may remain in the United States.

Not everyone is eligible for a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Mandatory detention rules, the type of proceedings, prior orders, and other facts can limit the judge's authority. A lawyer should review custody papers before your family assumes that requesting bond will lead to release.

When a judge can consider bond, evidence about community ties, a stable residence, and attendance at hearings may matter. Criminal history and safety concerns can also affect the decision. Ask counsel who may pay any bond, what the official payment process requires, and what obligations continue after release. Never send money based only on an unsolicited call.

Gather records and prepare for legal advice

Collect identification, proof of time in the United States, family relationship records, and every immigration paper you can find. Include the Notice to Appear, hearing notices, prior applications, decisions, and work permits. If there is criminal history, gather court dispositions and other available records, even if charges were dismissed.

Keep copies in one secure folder and create a short timeline. Note children or other relatives who depend on the detained person, health concerns, and reliable contact information. Do not alter documents or ask anyone to create inaccurate letters. Tell the attorney about difficult facts as well as supportive ones.

Learn about deportation defense and use the Family Preparedness Guide to plan for children, bills, and important records. If a judge has already issued a decision, ask promptly about appeals. Attorney Juliana Garcia can review your family's circumstances in a paid $60 consultation; payment plans are available.