ICE detained someone in my family
Find them, get legal help and keep the family going.
6 steps
Step 1 of 6: Today
Start here. It lists the first things to do, in order.
- Family Member Detained First StepsYour loved one was taken. Breathe. There are clear things you can do today, and you do not have to do them alone. Call your county's rapid response line, find where they are held, get a lawyer and keep the children safe. Here is the order to do it in.Guide
- First 48 hours after a detentionPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 2 of 6: Find where they are held
Use the official locator and the details you have.
- Find a Detained Family MemberWhen ICE takes someone you love, the first hours feel impossible. You can find them. Start with ICE's free online locator, then call the detention center to confirm. Here is how, step by step, with the Northern California numbers.Guide
- Finding my family member: information to gatherPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 3 of 6: Get legal help and ask about bond
A lawyer or accredited representative can tell you what is possible.
- Free Legal HelpYou do not have to face an immigration case alone. Honest help does not have to cost a lot. These nonprofit groups and county offices near East Palo Alto help with immigration papers and court cases for free or a low fee. Here is who does what, who they serve and how to reach them.Guide
- Immigration BondMany people held by ICE can ask a judge for bond, and in California the courts have widened that door in 2026. But some people cannot get a bond hearing at all, and the rules are before the Supreme Court. Here is who can ask, how the hearing works, how to pay, and how to get the money back.Guide
- Questions to ask when you callPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 4 of 6: Stay in touch
Visits, calls and money for commissary.
- Detention VisitsYour loved one is in detention, and you want them to know they are not alone. You can stay close. You can visit, set up phone calls and messages, and put money on their account. Here is how it works at the centers where people from Northern California are held.Guide
- Visit day checklistPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 5 of 6: Care for the children and the bills
Plan who cares for the children and how the rent gets paid.
- Who Cares for My ChildrenYou can choose who cares for your children if you are detained. California gives you several legal ways to do it, from a free two page form to a court guardianship. Here is what each one does, what it cannot do, and how to pick the right one for your family.Guide
- Money Help After DetentionWhen the person who pays the rent is detained or deported, the bills don't stop. There is help. Bay Area rapid response networks, a national fund and county programs can help with rent, food and basics. Here is who to call first.Guide
- Helping Children CopeWhen a parent is taken, children feel it in their bodies, their sleep and their school days. You cannot fix everything, and you do not have to. Honest words, steady routines and staying connected help children cope. Here is what to say, what to watch for, and where to get free help.Guide
- Caregiver choice worksheetPrint it and fill it in by handChecklist
Step 6 of 6: Get help from a person
You do not have to do this alone. Ask about cost, languages and current openings before you share documents.
- Help lines: Immigration emergencyCall, text or chat with a service that answers now.Help now
- ICE Online Detainee LocatorThe federal online search for a person currently held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Search by A-number, or by name, country of birth and birth date.Organization
- California Rapid Response Network hotlinesA directory of local rapid response hotlines across California to call if you see immigration enforcement activity, kept by the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice. It also links to a guide for families after someone is detained.Organization
- ImmigrationLawHelp.orgA national directory of free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal service providers. Search by ZIP code, county or the name of a detention facility.Organization
This page puts DNLH guides in a useful order. It is general information, not legal advice. Each guide shows its sources and the date its facts were checked.
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