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My family member was detained by ICE.
This guide walks you through what to do right now, what rights apply, and how to prepare. Take it one step at a time.
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1
Locate the detained person
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- Write down their full legal name and date of birthExactly as it appears on their immigration documents
- Find their A-number (Alien Registration Number)9-digit number on green cards, work permits, or court notices — starts with "A"
- Use the ICE detainee locator to find where they are heldCall 1-888-351-4024 or search locator.ice.gov — you'll need name, country of birth, and A-number if available
- Write down the name and address of the detention facilityYou will need this when calling an attorney
- Note the date and location of the arrestWhere were they when detained? Were witnesses present?
ICE Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov or call 1-888-351-4024. If you cannot find them, contact an attorney immediately — they may have been transferred or processed under a different name.
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Gather important documents
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- Passport and any visasOriginals or copies — any country
- Green card, work permit (EAD), or I-94Any document showing prior legal status or entry
- Prior immigration court notices or filingsNotice to Appear (NTA), hearing notices, or USCIS correspondence
- Birth certificates (theirs and any U.S.-born children)U.S.-born children are citizens — this matters for the case
- Marriage or divorce certificate (if applicable)Relevant if they have a U.S. citizen or resident spouse
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Know their rights in detention
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- Right to a bond hearing. A judge can review whether they should be released while the case is pending. An attorney can file for this immediately.
- Right to an attorney. They can have legal representation even from inside the facility. They cannot be prevented from speaking to a lawyer.
- Right to remain silent. They do not have to answer questions about their immigration history, how they entered, or where they are from.
- Right to refuse to sign documents. They should not sign anything — especially voluntary departure forms — without speaking to an attorney first.
- Right to contact their consulate. If they are not a U.S. citizen, they have the right to contact their home country's consulate.
- Right to medical care. Detention facilities must provide medical care. If they have a serious condition, document it and tell the attorney immediately.
What to tell them to say
"I want to speak to a lawyer. I am exercising my right to remain silent."
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Protect your family while this is happening
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- Designate a trusted adult to care for any childrenPut it in writing and have it notarized if possible
- Give the guardian written authorization for school pickup and medical decisionsSchools and hospitals will ask for this
- Secure access to bank accounts and bill paymentsMake sure someone can pay rent, utilities, and other obligations
- Notify the detained person's employer if neededProtects their job and documents community ties, which can help the case
- Confirm U.S.-born children have their birth certificates accessibleU.S.-born children are citizens and cannot be deported
Remember: U.S.-born children are citizens and cannot be deported. Make sure they are documented and safe.
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What happens next — the typical process
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- Initial processing. After arrest, ICE processes the person and assigns them to a facility. This can take 24–72 hours, during which they may be moved.
- Bond hearing. An attorney can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. If bond is granted, the family pays and the person is released while the case continues.
- Master calendar hearing. The first formal immigration court hearing. The person (or their attorney) appears before a judge. This is where the case officially begins.
- Individual merits hearing. The full hearing where defenses are presented — asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and others. Having an attorney here is critical.
The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options are available. A lawyer can sometimes stop deportation, file emergency motions, or secure release before the first hearing.
We handle detained cases every day.
PLG represents detained clients by phone, video call, and in person. We handle bond hearings, removal defense, asylum, and emergency filings. The sooner you call, the more we can do.
Schedule a consultation →Or call us directly: (713) 589-2085
This tool provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Contact Powers Law Group for guidance specific to your situation.
Contact Us To Schedule A Consultation
Fill out some details below or contact our office directly at (713) 589-2085 for a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys.
Temporary Modification in our Legal Payment Policy
Dear clients:
Due to the recent events, we are modifying our legal payment policy. While Powers Law Group is working remotely, we will only accept legal fee payments via credit card, bank transfers or bank deposits. We will temporarily not be accepting cash, money orders, check payments or any physical payments for safety purposes for legal fees. At this time, you can send in your filing fee payments via mail as usual but only for filing fees.We heavily encourage clients to pay filing fees via credit card, your legal assistant and attorney can help if you have questions.
If you have an upcoming payment due or you have been sent an invoice, please pay it through the link or through our website.
Before making any payments online, if you have not been sent a link for payment be sure to contact our office at (713) 589-2085.
The safety of our clients and staff is our main priority. We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time and hope to have things go back to normal soon. We urge our clients to stay home and healthy with their loved ones.
We will be sure to keep everyone updated on any future changes if any.
Powers Law Group
Modificación temporal en nuestra Polísa de pago legal
Estimados clientes:
Debido a los eventos recientes, estamos modificando nuestra política de pago legal. Mientras Powers Law Group trabaja de forma remota, solo aceptaremos pagos de tarifas legales mediante tarjeta de crédito, transferencias bancarias o depósitos bancarios. Temporalmente no aceptaremos efectivo, giros postales, pagos con cheques ni ningún pago físico por razones de seguridad y honorarios legales. En este momento, puede enviar sus pagos de tarifas de presentación por correo como de costumbre, pero solo para las tarifas de presentación .Recomendamos fuertamente a los clientes que paguen las tarifas de presentación con tarjeta de crédito, su asistente legal y su abogado pueden ayudarlo si tiene preguntas.
Si tiene un próximo pago pendiente o se le ha enviado una factura, pague a través del enlace o de nuestro sitio web.
Antes de realizar cualquier pago en línea, si no se le ha enviado un enlace para el pago, asegúrese de comunicarse con nuestra oficina al (713) 589-2085.
La seguridad de nuestros clientes y personal es nuestra principal prioridad. Le agradecemos su paciencia y cooperación durante este tiempo y esperamos que las cosas vuelvan a la normalidad pronto. Instamos a nuestros clientes a quedarse en casa y saludables con sus seres queridos.
Nos aseguraremos de mantener a todos actualizados sobre cualquier cambio futuro, si corresponde.
Powers Law Group
