If someone you love was just picked up by ICE, your head is probably spinning right now. Where did they take him? Is she okay? What happens next? Take a breath. You can do something useful in the next two days, and the steps below are the ones that matter most.
The first 48 hours count. This is when families lose track of where their loved one is, and it’s also when people get pressured into signing papers they don’t understand. Move quickly, but don’t panic.
Step 1: Find out where they are
Start with the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. It’s free, it runs 24/7, and you can search it from your phone: locator.ice.gov. You can also call ICE at (866) 347-2423.
To search, you’ll need either:
- The person’s full name, country of birth, and date of birth, or
- Their A-number (more on that below) and country of birth
The name has to match what the government entered, exactly. If nothing comes up, try different spellings, swap the order of first and last names, and try with and without a middle name. A lot of families find their loved one only after the third or fourth try.
What if they don’t show up in the system?
This happens often, especially right after an arrest. A few reasons why:
- The system hasn’t updated yet. It can take a day or more for a new detainee to appear.
- The name was entered differently than you’d expect.
- They’re under 18. The locator does not list minors.
- They’re not in an ICE facility yet. Right after an arrest, people are sometimes held in a local jail or a county facility before being moved.
If you still can’t find them, call the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office closest to where they were arrested. If they were booked into a local jail first, that jail may be able to confirm they’re there.
Step 2: Track down the A-number
The A-number (short for “Alien Registration Number”) is the single most useful piece of information you can have. It’s an 8 or 9 digit number, usually written as “A” followed by the digits.
Look for it on any immigration paperwork your loved one has at home: a work permit, a green card, a notice to appear, court notices, or receipts from past applications. Once you have the A-number, finding them in the system and getting a lawyer up to speed both get a lot easier.
Step 3: Know what to say, and what not to say
This part matters as much as anything. Share it with your loved one if you get the chance to talk to them.
- They have the right to stay silent. They do not have to answer questions about where they were born or how they entered the country.
- They should not sign anything without talking to a lawyer first. This is the big one. Officers sometimes present “voluntary departure” or a stipulated removal order as the fast, easy way out. Signing can mean giving up the right to see a judge and waiving defenses that might have kept them here. Once it’s signed, it’s very hard to undo.
- They should not discuss the details of their case on detention phone calls. Those calls are usually recorded.
- They should ask for a lawyer and ask to make a phone call.
If you’re the one on the outside, write down everything you know: where and when they were arrested, who arrested them, any badge or vehicle details, and the names of any witnesses. A lawyer will want all of it.
Step 4: Find out about visits and contact
Each facility has its own rules for visiting hours, phone access, and putting money on a detainee’s account so they can make calls or buy basics. Call the facility directly, or check its page on the ICE website, to get the specifics. Have the A-number ready when you call.
Step 5: Call an immigration lawyer before anyone signs anything
We’ll be honest: the families who call a lawyer in the first day or two have a real advantage. A lawyer can confirm where your loved one is being held, push to prevent a transfer to a far-away facility, and start fighting for release.
Here’s what an immigration attorney can do early:
- Locate your loved one and make contact fast.
- Request a bond hearing to argue for release while the case moves forward.
- Step in before any voluntary departure or removal paperwork gets signed.
- File a habeas corpus petition if someone is being held unlawfully or no one will tell you why they’re detained.
At Rivas & Associates, we handle deportation defense and habeas corpus cases, and we know how fast these situations move. If your family member was just detained, don’t wait for the next court date to get help.
Call us now at (844) 37-RIVAS for a same-day consultation. We’ll help you find your loved one and figure out the next move. You don’t have to face this alone.
This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Every immigration case is different. Please speak with an attorney about your specific situation.
