Immigration Detention Preparedness Guide — English & Spanish

This page is presented in English and Spanish together, paragraph by paragraph. · Esta página se presenta en inglés y español juntos, párrafo por párrafo.

Immigration Detention: Know Your Rights & Resources

Detención migratoria: Conozca sus derechos y recursos

24-Hour Emergency Detention Hotline: 240-891-4343 · Available in English & Spanish · Disponible en inglés y español

This guide is organized into three phases. Jump to:

Know Your Plan Before It's Needed

Prepárese antes de que sea necesario

You don't need to be in crisis to start preparing. Having a plan protects your family and gives you options if ICE ever comes to your home or workplace.

No necesita estar en crisis para prepararse. Tener un plan protege a su familia.

Know Your Rights If ICE Comes

Sus derechos si llega ICE

You have the right to · Usted tiene el derecho a:

  • Remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status.
  • Guardar silencio. No tiene que responder preguntas sobre su estatus migratorio.
  • Refuse to open the door unless ICE presents a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
  • No abrir la puerta a menos que ICE presente una orden judicial firmada por un juez.
  • Speak with an attorney before answering any questions — even at a checkpoint.
  • Hablar con un abogado antes de responder preguntas, incluso en un control.
  • Not sign anything without your attorney present.
  • No firmar nada sin la presencia de su abogado.

Know your rights during immigration detention
Can ICE legally do that?

Have questions about your specific rights? An attorney can walk you through your options before anything happens. A consultation now can save critical time later. Book a consultation.

Create a Family Safety Plan

Crear un plan de seguridad familiar

Every family should have a plan that answers: Who will care for your children? Who has power of attorney? Who do you call first?

Cada familia debe tener un plan: ¿Quién cuidará a sus hijos? ¿Quién tiene poder notarial?

Your plan should include · Su plan debe incluir:

  • A trusted emergency contact who knows your situation
  • Un contacto de emergencia de confianza que conozca su situación
  • A designated caregiver for your children with written authorization
  • Un cuidador designado para sus hijos con autorización escrita
  • Copies of critical documents stored safely outside the home
  • Copias de documentos importantes guardadas fuera del hogar
  • Your attorney's phone number memorized or written down
  • El número de su abogado memorizado o anotado

Planning for the unexpected: a guide to preparing for detention

Need help building a legal safety plan? Our attorneys can help you set up powers of attorney, designate caregivers, and identify your legal options now. Book a consultation.

Rights at Work & in Public

Derechos en el trabajo y en público

Your rights apply at workplaces, checkpoints, and public spaces — not only at home. Employers have rights and responsibilities too.

Sus derechos aplican en el trabajo, en controles y en espacios públicos, no solo en casa.

  • ICE generally needs a judicial warrant to enter non-public areas of a workplace
  • ICE generalmente necesita una orden judicial para entrar a áreas no públicas de un trabajo
  • Workers have the right to remain silent and request an attorney at any stop
  • Los trabajadores tienen derecho a guardar silencio y pedir un abogado
  • Employers should know their rights before ICE arrives — not during
  • Los empleadores deben conocer sus derechos antes de que llegue ICE

If ICE walks through your business: rights for owners & workers

Not sure what applies to your situation? Rights vary depending on where you are and what happened. An attorney can clarify what ICE can and cannot legally do in your specific case. Book a consultation.

Detention Preparedness Checklist

Lista de preparación para detención

Complete this before an emergency. Check off each item as you gather it. When you're ready, download the full 14-document kit for wet signatures.

Complete esta lista antes de una emergencia. Cuando esté listo, descargue el paquete completo de 14 documentos.

Immigration Documents · Documentos migratorios

  • Visa, green card, EAD, TPS notice, or asylum receipt
  • Form I-94 (arrival/departure record)
  • All USCIS correspondence and receipt notices
  • Immigration court notices and hearing dates
  • Passport (yours and all family members)
  • A-Number memorized or written down

Proof of Residence & Ties · Prueba de residencia y vínculos

  • Lease or mortgage documents
  • Utility bills (last 12 months)
  • Tax returns (last 3 years)
  • Pay stubs (last 6 months)
  • Birth certificates of U.S. citizen or LPR children
  • School and medical records

Financial & Practical · Financiero y práctico

  • Bank account numbers and institution contacts
  • Cash reserve accessible to trusted person
  • Vehicle title and insurance information
  • Insurance policies (health, life, renters/homeowners)

Completed Forms in Kit · Formularios en el paquete

  • Privacy Release for Congressional Inquiries (signed)
  • HIPAA / Medical Records Release (signed)
  • Childcare Authorization (signed)
  • Durable Power of Attorney (signed & notarized)
  • G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance (signed)
  • ICE / ERO Inquiry Authorization (signed)
  • Medical Authorization for Minor Children (signed)
  • EOIR-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance (signed)

Download the Full Preparedness Kit — 14 documents · Wet signatures required · English & Spanish · Descargar paquete completo

Need help completing these documents? Our attorneys can walk you through every form in the kit, ensure proper execution, and keep copies on file for your case. Book a consultation.

Find Legal Representation Now

Buscar representación legal ahora

People with attorneys are significantly more likely to win their immigration cases. Finding one before a crisis means you won't be searching during the worst 48 hours of your life.

Las personas con abogados tienen muchas más posibilidades de ganar sus casos. Encontrar uno antes de una crisis es una de las decisiones más importantes que puede tomar.

Slatton & Hass is accepting new clients. We offer consultations in English and Spanish and handle detained cases across the DMV area and nationally. Book a consultation.

First 48 Hours After Detention

Las primeras 48 horas tras la detención

24/7 Emergency Detention Hotline: 240-891-4343 · Available in English & Spanish · Disponible en inglés y español

The first 48 hours are critical. ICE can move quickly — knowing the right steps immediately can protect your loved one's rights and preserve their options.

Las primeras 48 horas son críticas. Saber los pasos correctos puede proteger los derechos de su ser querido.

Stay Calm & Gather Information

Mantener la calma y recopilar información

Your first job is to collect as much information as possible about the arrest. Every detail matters legally.

Find out immediately · Averigüe de inmediato:

  • Where was the person detained? (home, workplace, checkpoint, traffic stop)
  • ¿Dónde fue detenida la persona?
  • Were there witnesses? Get their contact information.
  • ¿Hubo testigos? Obtenga su información de contacto.
  • Did ICE present a warrant? Was it signed by a judge?
  • ¿Presentó ICE una orden? ¿Estaba firmada por un juez?
  • Did the person say anything or sign anything?
  • ¿Dijo o firmó algo la persona?
  • Their A-Number if you have it — on any immigration document
  • Su número A si lo tiene — aparece en cualquier documento migratorio

What happens in the first 48 hours after an ICE arrest

Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The details of an arrest matter legally. An attorney can identify if any rights were violated and act immediately. Book an emergency consultation.

Locate Where They Are Being Held

Localizar dónde está detenida la persona

Use these tools · Use estas herramientas:

How to use the ICE Detainee Locator

Having trouble locating your family member? Attorneys have additional tools and contacts to locate detained individuals — especially in the critical first hours. Book an emergency consultation.

Understand Bond & How to Request It

Entender la fianza y cómo solicitarla

Not everyone is eligible for bond, but many are. A bond hearing allows a judge to set an amount the family can pay to secure release while the case continues.

No todos tienen derecho a fianza, pero muchos sí. Una audiencia permite que un juez establezca un monto para asegurar la libertad.

  • Bond amounts typically range from $1,500 to $25,000+
  • Los montos de fianza generalmente van de $1,500 a $25,000+
  • Some individuals are subject to mandatory detention and are not eligible
  • Algunas personas están sujetas a detención obligatoria y no son elegibles
  • An attorney can file for a bond redetermination hearing quickly
  • Un abogado puede solicitar una audiencia de redeterminación rápidamente
  • Bond funds must typically come from a U.S. citizen or LPR
  • Los fondos de fianza generalmente deben provenir de un ciudadano o residente permanente

Preparing for a bond hearing

An attorney can fight for a bond hearing immediately. Bond eligibility and strategy depend on the specific case. This is one of the first things an attorney will assess. Book an emergency consultation.

Tell Them: Do Not Sign Anything

Dígales: no firmen nada

ICE may present documents for the detained person to sign. Signing — even unknowingly — can result in a voluntary departure or deportation order that is very difficult to undo.

Firmar, incluso sin saberlo, puede resultar en una orden de deportación muy difícil de revertir.

  • Tell your family member: Do not sign any document without speaking to an attorney first
  • Dígale a su familiar: No firme ningún documento sin hablar primero con un abogado
  • They have the right to refuse to sign and to request an attorney
  • Tienen el derecho de negarse a firmar y de solicitar un abogado

If something was already signed, contact us immediately. In some cases it may still be possible to challenge or withdraw a signed document. Time is critical. Book an emergency consultation.

Protecting Children & Family Members

Proteger a los niños y familiares

If a parent is detained, immediate steps can protect children from entering foster care and preserve family connections.

  • Activate your family plan — contact the designated caregiver immediately
  • Active su plan familiar — contacte al cuidador designado de inmediato
  • Do not leave children unsupervised — this can trigger a CPS report
  • No deje a los niños sin supervisión — esto puede activar un reporte a servicios infantiles
  • An attorney can help arrange emergency guardianship if needed
  • Un abogado puede ayudar a gestionar una tutela de emergencia

Protecting your family requires immediate action. We can help with emergency child custody arrangements and connect families with the right support resources. Book a consultation.

Extended Detention

Detención prolongada

If your loved one has been detained for more than a few days, the legal situation becomes more complex — and the need for an attorney becomes more urgent.

Si su ser querido lleva más de unos días detenido, la situación legal se vuelve más compleja y la necesidad de un abogado más urgente.

Understanding Removal Proceedings

Entender los procedimientos de deportación

Once detained, most people are placed in formal removal proceedings before an immigration judge. This is a legal process — not just an administrative one — and every hearing matters.

Key hearing types · Tipos de audiencias:

  • Master Calendar Hearing: Initial hearing. Do not waive rights here.
  • Bond Redetermination: Argue for release or a lower bond amount.
  • Individual (Merits) Hearing: Full hearing where legal relief is argued.

Preparing for immigration court while in detention

Every hearing is an opportunity — or a risk. Unrepresented individuals are significantly more likely to be ordered removed. We handle detained cases and can appear at hearings on your behalf. Book a consultation.

Possible Forms of Legal Relief

Posibles formas de alivio legal

Many detained people qualify for legal relief that could stop deportation. Every case is different — only an attorney can assess what applies.

Muchas personas detenidas califican para un alivio legal. Solo un abogado puede evaluar qué aplica en su caso.

  • Asylum or Withholding of Removal
  • Cancellation of Removal (LPR or non-LPR)
  • Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
  • Adjustment of Status (marriage to USC or LPR)
  • VAWA, U Visa, or T Visa for qualifying victims
  • DACA or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
  • Voluntary Departure (to preserve future options)

Don't assume there are no options. Some of the most overlooked relief options — like VAWA or CAT — require a trained attorney to identify. Let us review the case. Book a consultation.

Bond, Habeas Corpus & Challenging Detention

Fianza, hábeas corpus e impugnar la detención

If someone has been detained for an extended period without a bond hearing, or if their detention appears to be unlawful, a federal habeas corpus petition may be an option — separate from and in addition to immigration court proceedings.

Si la detención parece ilegal, una petición de hábeas corpus ante un tribunal federal puede ser una opción.

  • Habeas petitions are filed in federal district court — separate from immigration court
  • Las peticiones de hábeas corpus se presentan en un tribunal federal de distrito
  • They challenge the legality of detention itself, not just the underlying case
  • Impugnan la legalidad de la detención en sí
  • Timing is critical — there are strict deadlines and procedural rules
  • El tiempo es crítico — hay plazos estrictos y normas de procedimiento

Bond vs. habeas: why strategy changes
When habeas corpus can be used in immigration

Habeas cases require immediate attention. Our firm handles habeas corpus petitions. If you believe your loved one's detention may be unlawful, contact us right away. Book a consultation.

Staying in Contact With a Detained Person

Mantener contacto con la persona detenida

Communication is essential — for emotional support and for sharing legal information quickly.

  • Most facilities use GTL, ICSolutions, or Securus — you may need to create an account and add funds
  • La mayoría de los centros usan GTL, ICSolutions o Securus — puede necesitar crear una cuenta
  • Visitation schedules vary by facility — call ahead to confirm
  • Los horarios de visita varían — llame para confirmar
  • Mail is permitted and important for sharing documents
  • El correo está permitido y es importante para compartir documentos
  • Attorney calls are confidential and cannot be recorded
  • Las llamadas con el abogado son confidenciales y no pueden ser grabadas

Calls, mail & money: how to support someone in ICE detention

Find Free & Low-Cost Legal Help

Encontrar ayuda legal gratuita o de bajo costo

If you cannot afford a private attorney, free and low-cost legal help is available. The National Immigration Legal Services directory is the most comprehensive resource.

Si no puede pagar un abogado privado, hay ayuda legal gratuita o de bajo costo disponible.

Immigration Advocates Network — Legal Services Directory. Search by state to find accredited free and low-cost immigration legal services organizations near you. Search the directory.

Mental Health & Taking Care of Your Family

Salud mental y cuidar a su familia

Extended detention is traumatic for everyone involved. Your wellbeing matters — you cannot advocate for your loved one if you are not cared for yourself.

La detención prolongada es traumática para todos. Su bienestar importa — no puede abogar por su ser querido si no se cuida usted mismo.

  • Local mutual aid networks and immigrant advocacy organizations can help with housing, food, and emotional support
  • Las redes de ayuda mutua local pueden ayudar con vivienda, comida y apoyo emocional
  • Community organizations often work alongside legal teams and can provide wraparound support
  • Las organizaciones comunitarias a menudo trabajan junto a equipos legales

Mental health resources for families with loved ones in detention

We can help you navigate the full picture. Beyond legal representation, we can connect your family with community resources while we fight the case. Book a consultation.

A Note for Community Advocates

Una nota para los defensores comunitarios

If you are a community organizer, social worker, faith leader, or advocate supporting families through detention — this page is also for you. Your work matters and we want to work alongside you.

Your work is working: a message to community organizers

We partner with community organizations. If you regularly refer detained clients or work with affected families, reach out to discuss how we can work together. Get in touch.

Talk to Us

Slatton & Hass Immigration Advocates handles detained cases across the DMV and nationwide, in English and Spanish. Detention line: 240-891-4343 · Office: 240-891-2154 · Book a consultation.

This page provides general legal information, not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation. Esta página proporciona información legal general, no asesoramiento legal.