Act Fast: The Essential Guide for Families Facing ICE Arrests

• Act Quickly After an ICE Arrest
• Get the “A-Number” Immediately
• Seek Reliable Legal Help

According to La Nación, when a loved one is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), every second counts to protect their rights and future.

The National Immigrant Justice Center has created a clear roadmap with six key steps to help families respond quickly and with confidence.

This guide aims to prevent costly mistakes, accelerate legal defense, and ease the distress of families who suddenly find themselves facing a relative’s arrest and don’t know where to begin.

The main message is simple yet urgent: act fast, stay informed, and stay organized—these are the best tools to face the immigration system.

How to Get the A-Number

The first step they recommend is obtaining the “A-Number,” a unique nine-digit identifier that ICE assigns to every detained individual.

This number often appears on asylum applications, work permits, or other prior immigration documents and is essential for accessing official information.

Without the A-Number, it’s nearly impossible to find out which detention center your relative is in or learn about their current immigration status.

This is why it’s known as “the key” to the entire process, as it unlocks records and helps plan each move.

Locate and Communicate with the Detainee

The second step is to quickly locate your loved one using ICE’s online detainee locator system, where you enter the A-Number and country of birth.

This tool provides the location of the detention center, the address, contact phone numbers, and rules for visits or calls.

Knowing exactly where your loved one is detained reduces uncertainty and helps you start organizing a legal defense more effectively.

The third step is to establish direct communication with the detention center to learn their rules for contacting detainees.

After an ICE Arrest: Report and Gather Evidence

Each center has its own rules for phone calls, in-person visits, video calls, and even sending money.

In some cases, you’ll need to set up accounts to allow the detainee to call their family.

Maintaining communication is crucial not only for emotional support but also for coordinating with attorneys and preparing a legal strategy.

The fourth step is especially important if the arrest occurred during an immigration raid: you should record every possible detail.

Documents and Immigration Hearings

It’s vital to note the location, time, officers present, and any irregularities or misconduct during the arrest.

Families can also contact the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Hotline at 1-855-435-7693.

This free hotline offers assistance in several languages, including Spanish, and can be a lifeline for families urgently needing guidance.

The fifth step is to gather all immigration and criminal documents for the detainee to build a strong defense.

Preparing a Legal Defense

This includes asylum applications, work permits, USCIS letters, criminal records, court rulings, and police reports.

Having documents organized from the start can save precious time and help attorneys request hearings, apply for bond, or even stop deportation.

Finally, the sixth step is to check whether the detainee has a scheduled court hearing, something you can verify online or by calling 1-800-898-7180.

Not all detainees are entitled to a hearing, so it’s critical to check immediately to avoid surprises or delays.

Rights, Bond, and Legal Help

According to the National Immigrant Justice Center, lawful permanent residents and undocumented immigrants without serious criminal records are entitled to a hearing.

In contrast, individuals with a prior deportation order, expedited removal history, or convictions for serious crimes do not have this right.

However, if the detainee expresses a credible fear of returning to their home country, they can request an interview with an asylum officer.

If they demonstrate credible fear, they may be granted a court hearing to consider their case more carefully.

Act Quickly After an ICE Arrest

Regarding bond, not everyone is eligible: it’s prohibited for those with serious criminal offenses or prior deportations.

But in other cases, it’s possible to request a bond hearing to show community ties, good conduct, and a willingness to comply with immigration laws.

It’s important to remember that the immigration system does not provide a free attorney, so families must seek private legal help or free services offered by nonprofit organizations.

Acting swiftly, staying fully informed, and securing legal counsel are the most effective tools to protect detained immigrants in the United States and fight for their right to remain with their loved ones.