Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
Do These Things Right Now
- 1
Write down the full name and A-number of the detained person (if you know it). ICE uses the A-number to locate detainees.
- 2
Call (310) 554-4630 immediately. We handle immigration emergencies and can help you understand the situation and next steps.
- 3
Find out where they are being held. ICE detainees in the Los Angeles area are often held at Adelanto Detention Center in San Bernardino County, or at Otay Mesa near San Diego.
- 4
Do not attempt to visit the facility without first calling the ICE detention locator or our office. Facility rules and visiting hours change frequently.
- 5
Do not post about the detention on social media. This can affect the legal strategy.
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Rights of the Detained Person
Even in ICE detention, your family member has legal rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is detained.
- The right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, your country of birth, or how you entered the United States.
- The right to speak with an attorney. ICE must allow you to contact a lawyer. You are not required to sign any documents without first speaking to an attorney.
- The right to a bond hearing in most cases. An immigration judge can set bond (bail), which allows release from detention while your case proceeds.
- The right to appeal. Even if an immigration judge orders removal, there is generally the right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and, if necessary, to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Bond Hearings: Getting Your Family Member Released
In many ICE detention cases, it is possible to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. At the bond hearing, we present evidence of your family member's community ties, length of residence, family relationships, employment history, and other factors to argue for release while the case proceeds.
We file bond hearing requests promptly. Time matters: the longer someone is in detention, the more difficult the situation can become. Call (310) 554-4630 now.