If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests a family member or someone you care about, the uncertainty, fear, and confusion can be overwhelming. This article will help you to understand the steps you can take to help ensure your family member’s rights are protected.
1. Stay Calm and Gather Information
As hard as it may be if ICE arrests your family member, staying calm is essential. Try to gather as much information as possible about the arrest. If you can, please find out:
- The name of the ICE agent who arrested them.
- Where and when they were taken.
- The name of the facility they were transported to.
- Their Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if available.
The A-Number is crucial as it will help you track their case and status. In Colorado, you can also report the arrest to the Colorado Rapid Response Network. If you are located in a different state, then look to see if your state has a rapid response network that provides aid and resources.
2. Locate Your Family Member
If ICE arrests your family member, then you can use the ICE Detainee Locator to find out where they are: https://locator.ice.gov. You’ll need their full name, country of birth, and ideally their A-Number. Keep in mind the database may not update immediately, so please check back regularly if no result appears.
If you can’t find them online, call the local ICE office or detention facility directly.
3. Contact an Immigration Attorney
If ICE arrests someone you know, do not wait to get legal help. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. An experienced immigration attorney can:
- Help you understand your family member’s rights and options.
- Request a bond hearing.
- File a motion to reopen or cancel removal.
- Guide your family through the legal process.
If you can’t afford a private attorney, search for local legal aid organizations or nonprofit immigration attorneys. Resources like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Immigration Advocates Network can help you find free or low-cost representation.
4. Do Not Sign Anything Without Legal Advice
In detention, ICE may pressure your family member to sign documents, including voluntary departure orders. These can have long-term consequences—including a bar on returning to the U.S. for years. Advise your family member not to sign anything without speaking to an attorney.
5. Prepare Key Documents
Start gathering important documents that the attorney may need, including:
- Immigration records (visas, green cards, prior applications)
- Birth certificates, marriage licenses
- Any documentation showing good moral character (e.g., letters from employers, community involvement)
- Criminal records, if any
Being organized can help your attorney prepare a stronger defense or request for bond.
6. Understand Possible Outcomes
When ICE arrests someone, every case is different. Some individuals may qualify for bond and be released while their case is pending. Others may face removal proceedings but have defenses such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status. Some may be deported, but still have options for legal return in the future.
It’s important to have clear expectations, stay informed, and follow legal guidance closely.
Final Thoughts
ICE detention can be a traumatic experience for families, but you are not powerless. Taking immediate, informed steps can improve the odds of reuniting with your loved one. Connect with legal resources, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your community.
If ICE arrests someone you know then you may register for a consultation by calling 970-680-1223 or scheduling online. Our U.S. immigration attorneys are licensed to practice immigration law in all 50 states and at consulates and embassies all over the world.
**Please note this is not legal advice and engagement with this post does not create an attorney/client privilege. For specifically tailored legal advice, schedule a consultation.
Current as of May 27, 2025