After a person is detained by immigration authorities, what follows for their family can turn into an ordeal lasting hours, days, or even weeks.
It may take some time for official information about the arrest to appear in the ICE system, and in the meantime, the person may be transferred from one detention center to another—sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away from where the arrest took place.
In 2025, ICE transferred nearly 41,700 people to another state within the first 24 hours of detention—more than double the number of transfers recorded the previous year, according to an analysis by The Marshall Project.
Such movements can temporarily leave families and lawyers unsure of a person’s whereabouts.
According to experts, in addition to locating the person who was detained, family members often have to find out whether that person was given documents to sign after the detention, as well as confirm whether they have any scheduled hearings and what happened to their case after a transfer.
Temporarily losing contact with a detained person can have consequences that go beyond uncertainty about their whereabouts. During that period, the individual may receive documents or have to make decisions that could have significant consequences for their immigration case.
That’s why, understanding how this process works can help families navigate the first few days following an immigration arrest.
It may take some time for the detained person to appear in the system
To locate someone, you can check ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System. The search can be performed using the Alien Number (A-Number) and the country of birth.
The Alien Number or A-number, is the identification number used in the immigration system. It currently has nine digits, although there are older eight-digit numbers. It may appear on immigration documents such as a work permit (EAD), notices sent by USCIS, or immigration court documents.
However, not everyone has an Alien Number, and not all of those documents necessarily include one.
If you don’t know your family member’s Alien number, you can search using other information, such as the detained person’s first and last name, country, and date of birth. ICE notes that a search by name requires an exact match.
But even when a family has that information, the detained person may not immediately appear in the system. The Legal Aid Society notes that it may take a couple of days after the detention for the information to be updated.
A phone call may be the first clue as to where the person is
People detained by ICE may make a call to a family member or friend after their detention. These initial calls may be collect calls, but if no one answers, the detainee cannot leave a message.
In addition, a family might receive a message from an unrecognized number before the location appears in the ICE locator.
How to stay in touch after that initial contact depends in part on the place of detention. The National Immigrant Justice Center notes that each center has its own procedures. Some allow in-person visits, while others use phone calls and, in some cases, video calls.
Some facilities also provide tablets that allow you to make calls or send messages. Some centers use the GettingOut service, which requires depositing money into an account, but this system is not available at all locations.
Personal calls may be monitored or recorded
ICE’s detention standards allow for the monitoring of certain calls for security reasons and establish different procedures for confidential communications with attorneys.
The Legal Aid Society also specifically warns that calls not related to legal matters may be monitored or recorded.
This means that an initial call can be particularly useful for confirming basic information such as the name of the facility where the person is being held, their A-number, whether they have received documents related to their immigration case, whether they have information about an upcoming hearing, and whether they have been able to contact an attorney.
How to find a lawyer after an immigration detention
Finding legal representation can be one of the main obstacles following an immigration detention, especially when the person is being held far from their family or in a place where there are few immigration lawyers available.
That is why the family can play an important role in exploring options for legal assistance. One way to get started is to look for organizations that offer free or low-cost representation.
The National Directory of Immigration Legal Services allows you to find nonprofit organizations that offer free or low-cost immigration services by state, ZIP code, or detention center.
You can also consult the Department of Justice’s list of pro bono providers, organized by the immigration courts where they provide services.
You can find more information in the article “Practical Guide to Finding Reliable Immigration Lawyers.”
Checking immigration case status
Locating a person in ICE custody does not necessarily indicate the status of their immigration case. With the A-Number, families can check the immigration court system (EOIR) separately or call 1-800-898-7180 or 304-625-2050, available 24/7 in Spanish and English, to find out information such as the date and location of a hearing.
It may take some time for information about the case to appear or be updated in the EOIR system. Furthermore, not all immigration cases or proceedings are listed there.
Gathering important documents for the case
Several immigrant advocacy organizations recommend gathering identification documents (passport, I-94, etc.), copies of immigration paperwork, and receipts. If the person has a criminal record, it is also important to locate documents related to those cases, including police reports and documents detailing the charges and sentences.
They also recommend looking for medical records, letters from employers, or other documents that show how long you have been living in the country, among other things.
Such documentation can help reconstruct the person’s history and provide a lawyer with information necessary to analyze what procedure he or she faces and what legal alternatives might exist.
How to send money for expenses within the detention center
People detained may have a police station account to purchase food, hygiene products, stamps, and other items available within the facility. However, there is no single system for sending money; each facility may use a different provider and follow a different procedure.
Organizations such as the National Immigrant Justice Center also recommend contacting the center to find out how to make the deposit. You will generally need the person’s full name and A-number.
If the individual is transferred, ICE regulations stipulate that the original facility must return their funds and valuables before the transfer. Upon arrival at the new facility, that facility must create a new record of their funds.
Therefore, before making a new deposit, the family should confirm the person’s location and which system that facility uses to receive money. If there was money in the previous account, the person or their family may need to check with both facilities about how to retrieve or credit those funds.
Note: This article is not intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you seek legal advice from a legal professional who can review your case on an individual basis.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Spanish and translated into English by Tilde Language Justice Cooperative
