When your family member has been detained by ICE in California, the first 24 hours can feel overwhelming. You’re probably trying to figure out where they are, what’s happening, and what you’re supposed to do next—all while worrying about your family. Our team at Maison Law Immigration Lawyers will be there to help you figure things out. Set up a free, one-on-one consultation today.
What to Do in Those First 24 Hours After Your Family Member is Detained by ICE
ICE detentions have gotten a lot of media coverage in the past couple years, and given the nature of those more high-profile ones, it’s not surprising that they’re so confusing and scary. But the initial 24 hours after it happens to your family member feels a lot different—a lot more real.
So what should you do? That’s a different answer for everybody, but generally, you’re trying to figure out:
- Why they’ve been detained. This isn’t always the easiest thing to figure out, especially in the initial shock and confusion after the detention. But there will be an official reason for detention, like:
- A visa overstay
- An old removal order
- Some other immigration violation, or a criminal charge
If you can, gather any paperwork your family member has received from immigration or the courts. Even an old notice or document can give you a better idea of what’s going on.
- Where they were taken. This can be difficult too, especially because there’s a lot of different places your family member could be taken in those initial 24 hours. However, there are tools like the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, which can help you find out whether your family member is in ICE custody and where they might be.
These are the two biggest hurdles as someone on the outside of the detention process. But what’s important is to stay calm and understand that locating your family member is possible. And from there, it’s about getting the right support and guidance to help them.
How Can Maison Law Immigration Lawyers Help After an ICE Detention?
Having a family member detained by ICE is scary enough. In those first 24 hours, you’re probably trying to figure out where they are, why they were detained, and what you’re supposed to do next. You may also be trying to get in touch with them while getting your family on the same page.
That’s where having a lawyer involved early can help. At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we can help you:
- Find out where your family member is being held and confirm their custody status
- Explain what’s happening and what their detention could mean for their immigration case
- Help you figure out how to contact them and communicate with the detention facility
- Look at their immigration history and identify potential options
- Guide your family through the next steps so you know what needs to happen and when
- Handle filings, requests, and court paperwork related to the case
- Stay involved as the case moves forward, rather than leaving you to figure everything out on your own
The first 24 hours after an ICE detention can feel chaotic, but you don’t have to have all the answers right away. The important thing is to start gathering information, find out where your family member is, and get a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with.
The sooner you have that information, the sooner you can start putting together a plan. If your family member has been detained by ICE in California, set up a free consultation and let us help you and your family members.
