Immigration Detention:
Know Your Rights & Resources

• 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.

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?

• 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

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

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.

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.

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

• 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

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

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 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

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.

• 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.

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)

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

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

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.

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

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.