Detention and ICE

How can I find my mom or dad or other relative if they are in ICE immigration detention?

If you know the name, birthdate and country of nationality, you may look up their location using the ICE Detainee Locator HERE

If you happen to know their A Number you can also search for them using that and their country of birth.

If your parent is in immigration detention, the detention center’s name and phone number will be listed. You can then call the detention center for visitor hours and policies or check if the information is available online. It is important to remember that if you are undocumented you should talk to your immigration attorney before visiting a detention center.

If your parent is detained, you have an open child welfare case, and you want to notify ICE so that your parent can be present for the child welfare case, you can tell your child welfare attorney or your immigration attorney or you can email ICE yourself. The email is: parental.Interests@ice.dhs.gov

What are my rights if ICE comes to my home?

If ICE comes to your home, you have the following basic rights:

SCRAPPY TIP: How to tell the difference between a warrant signed by a judge or by ICE: Look for a judge’s signature. If a judge did NOT sign it, you do NOT have to open the door.

• You can ask ICE to slip the warrant under the door or hold it up so that you can read it.
• If they force entry, say “I do not consent” but do not fight
• You have the right to remain silent. Say this out loud “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
• You have the right to talk to a lawyer if ICE detains you or takes you into custody
• You have the right to talk to a lawyer if before you sign anything.
• Ask to see ID
• Take pictures or video if you can safely do so.

What are my rights if ICE comes to my school?

If ICE comes to your school, you have the following basic rights:

• Ask the officer if you are free to leave. If you are told no, do not run away or try to leave.
• You have the right to remain silent.  You do not need to answer any questions about your immigration status or where you were born or any other question.
• You do not have to show ID or other documents.
• Do not show fake documents or lie.
• Tell the officer that you are choosing to remain silent and that you want to speak with an attorney.
• You may refuse to consent to a search but you may be patted down for weapons.
• You may refuse to sign anything until you have been able to speak with an attorney

What are my rights if ICE comes to my work?

If ICE comes to your work, you have the following basic rights:

• ICE may enter places in a business that are open to the public, such as lobby or waiting room.  Otherwise, a valid search warrant signed by a judge or consent is needed. Even if a business consents to ICE entry, this does not give ICE the authority to detain, question or arrest anyone.
• If you can leave safely, do so.  If you are told to stop, stop.  Do not panic and do not run away.
• You have the right to remain silent. Say this out loud: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
• You do not have to answer any questions about your immigration status. 
• If you are asked to move to a particular location based on immigration status, you can refuse to do so.

EXAMPLE: If ICE says “move to the left if you are a citizen and to the right if you are an immigrant. You do NOT have to do so. Do NOT hide or run away. You could choose to stay where you are, go to the middle of the room, etc. but you do not have to move somewhere that would be admitting your immigration status.

• Do not show fake documents or lie.
• You have the right to speak with an attorney before you sign any documents.  Say this out loud: “I am requesting to speak with an attorney before I sign anything.”