What to prepare in case of an ICE detention
Being prepared does not mean that you will be detained. It means that, if an emergency occurs, your family and our office can respond more quickly and efficiently.
Eligibility to request a bond and the procedures available depend on the specific circumstances of each case.
Having a pending case does not always mean having valid immigration status
This information may be relevant, among others, to clients in the United States who are in any of the following situations:
Entered through the border without having been formally admitted.
Were allowed to enter through parole.
Entered with a visitor visa and remained in the United States after their authorized period of stay expired.
Have a pending asylum application with USCIS.
Have a pending case before Immigration Court.
7 things we recommend organizing now
Open each section to see what information and documents you should have readily available.
1Keep your identification documents readily available+
In the event of a detention, if it is possible to request a bond before Immigration Court, we may need quick access to your identification documents.
- Original passport.
- Original birth certificate or civil birth record.
- Copy of your most recent Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
- Copy of their driver's license or state-issued ID.
- Copies of any other available identification documents.
It is especially important that your family know where your original passport and birth certificate are located.
2Identify a person who may serve as a sponsor+
Identify a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, preferably someone close to you and with stable employment, who is willing to provide:
- Sponsor letter.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
- Tax returns for the last 3 years.
- Copy of their driver's license or state-issued ID.
- Employment verification letter.
Keep their full name, phone number, and address readily available.
3Prepare a list of people who may be able to help with your case+
We may need letters or statements from people who know the detained person and can speak about their character, family, employment, and community ties.
- Family members and close friends.
- Employers, supervisors, or coworkers.
- Members or leaders of a church or faith community.
- Neighbors or other people who may be able to provide letters of support.
Prepare full names and phone numbers now.
4Keep your financial and tax information organized+
In some cases, we may need documents showing employment, income, tax filings, and financial stability.
- Recent tax returns.
- W-2 or 1099 forms, if applicable.
- Recent pay stubs.
- Employer information.
- Other financial documents that may be relevant.
You do not need to send all of these documents to us now unless we ask for them. The important thing is for a trusted person to be able to locate them quickly.
5Designate one person to communicate with our office+
We recommend that one trusted person serve as the primary point of contact with our office.
- They should have our phone number.
- Know where the original documents are located.
- Have access to important information and documents.
- Know the names and phone numbers of people who may be able to help.
- Be available to gather documents quickly.
Centralizing communication helps avoid confusion, duplicate calls, and lost information.
6Consider establishing an emergency fund+
Detention and bond proceedings can involve significant expenses.
- Additional legal fees for representation in detention or bond proceedings.
- Expenses related to preparing the bond case.
- The bond amount set by an immigration judge or DHS, when the person is legally eligible for bond.
To the extent possible, consider maintaining an emergency fund that your family can access quickly.
7Share this information with your family+
It is not enough for you to know where the documents are. Your designated person should also know:
- Where your original passport and birth certificate are located.
- Where your immigration documents are located.
- Who may be able to serve as a sponsor.
- How to contact family members, employers, and other people who may provide support.
- Where to find tax and employment documents.
- How to contact our office immediately.
Review what you already have prepared
You can check off each item as you organize your information. Your selections are saved in this browser.
Preparing today can help your family respond more quickly tomorrow
Organize this information, share it with your designated trusted person, and keep it up to date.
