Receiving a call that a family member or loved one has been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a terrifying moment. The immigration enforcement system moves fast, and panic can quickly take over.
Knowing what steps to take in the first 24 to 48 hours can protect your loved one’s rights, prevent a swift deportation, and lay the groundwork for their defense.
Locate Your Loved One
Before you can take legal action, you need to know where ICE is holding them. ICE operates processing centers, contract facilities, and local county jails across the country.
Use the online ICE Online Detainee Locator System to search for them. To run a search, you will need either:
- Their Alien Registration Number (A-Number)—a 9-digit number starting with “A” found on work permits, green cards, or past court notices—along with their country of birth.
- Their exact full name, date of birth, and country of birth as it appears in official records.
If they were taken into custody very recently, it may take several hours for the system to update.
Gather Essential Information and Documents
Once you locate them, gather critical details to help an immigration lawyer evaluate the case quickly. Try to find out:
- Where and when they were detained.
- Which agency made the arrest (ICE, local police, or Border Patrol).
- Any paperwork left behind or given to them.
Collect their key documents, including birth certificates, passports, marriage licenses, tax filings, pay stubs, and any previous immigration or criminal court records.
Remind Them of Their Constitutional Rights
If you speak with your detained family member on the phone, advise them of their basic rights while in custody:
- The right to remain silent: They do not have to answer questions about their citizenship status, birth country, or how they entered the U.S. without an attorney present.
- The right not to sign documents: Warn them never to sign any paperwork—especially a “Voluntary Departure” or “Stipulated Order of Removal” form—without a lawyer reviewing it first. Signing these forms means waiving the right to see an immigration judge and agreeing to immediate deportation.
- The right to speak to a lawyer: While the government does not provide a free public defender in immigration court, detainees have the legal right to hire private counsel.
Contact a Deportation Defense Attorney Immediately
Time is critical. An experienced deportation defense lawyer can quickly contact the detention facility, request a stay of removal if an order already exists, and determine whether your loved one is eligible for release on an immigration bond.
Your attorney can also request a Bond Redetermination Hearing before an Immigration Judge to present evidence of family ties, community roots, and good moral character to get your loved one released from custody while their deportation case proceeds.
Take Action Today with Gambacorta Law Office
When ICE detains someone you love, waiting to see what happens is a dangerous risk. The legal team at Gambacorta Law Office moves swiftly to locate detained individuals, protect their legal rights, and fight for their release in immigration court.
If your family member has been detained, do not navigate this system alone. Contact Gambacorta Law Office at 847 641 2429 immediately to schedule a consultation and begin building their defense.