ICE detained your family member: what to do in the first 48 hours

If you are reading this because ICE just detained a loved one, take a breath. What you do in the next 48 hours can shape the outcome of the case. This guide is written so you can act with order and without losing time.

1. Confirm where they are detained

ICE does not always call the family. To locate a detained person, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. You will need the Alien Number (A-number) or the full name, date of birth, and country of origin.

If they do not appear right away, do not panic — the system can take several hours to update after an arrest. Check back every two or three hours.

In South Florida, detainees are commonly transferred to:

Krome Detention Center (Miami)
Broward Transitional Center (Pompano Beach)
Glades County Detention Center (Moore Haven)

2. Write down everything you know

Grab paper and write:

Date, time, and place of the arrest.
Whether officers showed a judicial warrant or only an administrative order.
Whether your relative signed any document (this is critical).
Officer names or badge numbers if you remember them.
Witnesses present.

This information can be valuable when an attorney reviews the case.

3. Do not sign anything without talking to an attorney

This is the most important rule. ICE sometimes offers a detained person a document called a Stipulated Order of Removal or asks them to waive their right to see a judge. Signing this without understanding it can be the same as accepting immediate deportation.

If you can reach your detained relative by phone, tell them clearly: "Do not sign anything until you speak with an attorney."

4. Gather key documents

While you locate your relative, begin gathering:

Passport and any ID documents.
Birth certificate, marriage certificate.
Proof of time in the U.S. (receipts, rental contracts, tax returns).
U.S. citizen children's birth certificates.
Any prior immigration petitions (I-130, I-589, etc.).
Medical records if your relative has health conditions.

These documents can be the basis to request an immigration bond or argue against deportation.

5. Contact an immigration attorney immediately

Do not wait. An attorney can:

Request a bond hearing so your relative can be released while the case proceeds. Read our guide on how immigration bond works.
Identify whether your relative qualifies for asylum, cancellation of removal, or other relief.
Stop an imminent deportation if there is a legal basis.

Avoid notarios or unlicensed individuals who promise to fix the case for less money. In the United States a notary public is not an attorney, and the cultural confusion with the Latin American "notario" has ruined thousands of cases. Read: difference between attorney and notario in immigration.

6. Prepare the family for visits and calls

Each facility has different rules. In general:

Calls are charged or made through prepaid services (ViaPath or GTL).
Visits require an appointment and ID.
Postal mail works but is slow; no prohibited items.

Stay in touch. The emotional health of the detained person matters for the case.

7. Take care of your own immigration situation

If you are undocumented yourself, be cautious about showing up at a detention center. Ask your attorney first. In some cases it is better for a family member with status to handle the initial steps.

Next steps

The first 48 hours are the most confusing, but also the most important. If your relative was detained by ICE, schedule a consultation with our firm or call us directly. We handle deportation defense in Miami, Hialeah, Homestead, and across South Florida.

You can also read:

Legal disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every immigration case is unique and depends on specific facts that only an attorney can evaluate after reviewing your situation. The law and USCIS policy change frequently. To get guidance on your particular case, schedule a consultation with our firm.

What to do in the first 48 hours if ICE detains a family member