Reviewed by Siavash Tourzani, Esq., Founder
ICE detention is the process by which U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes a person into custody based on suspected civil immigration violations. The first 72 hours are the most critical window for your family to act, locate your loved one, and explore legal options before key deadlines pass.
This guide focuses specifically on families dealing with a sudden ICE arrest and what you can do right now to protect your loved one’s rights.
The phone call comes without warning. Someone in your family has been picked up by ICE, and you don’t know where they are, what they’re being charged with, or what happens next. That fear is real. And the next 72 hours matter more than most families realize.
Why the First 24 Hours After ICE Detention Are So Critical
After an ICE arrest, the government moves fast. Within hours, your family member may be transferred to a detention facility, processed, and assigned a case number. ICE is not required to notify family members. That puts the burden entirely on you.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention management system, ICE detention population levels fluctuate and are currently well above 30,000 in many recent reports. Many families spend precious hours not knowing where their loved one has been taken.
Bond hearings: A formal proceeding where an immigration judge decides whether a detained person can be released and at what cost while their case continues.
Order of removal: A legal order issued by an immigration judge directing that a person be deported from the United States.
Acting quickly in the first 24 hours is essential. By the time some families reach out for legal help, a bond hearing may have already occurred without anyone advocating for their family member.
What ICE Detention Looks Like Step by Step
Phase 1: Arrest and Processing (Hours 0-12)
ICE agents take the person into custody, conduct an initial interview, and begin booking. The detained person is fingerprinted and their immigration history is reviewed. They may be held at a local jail, an ICE processing center, or transferred immediately to a contract detention facility.
Key actions during this phase:
- ICE assigns a unique alien registration number (A-number) to the detained person
- The detained person may be asked questions – they have the right to remain silent
- No family notification is required by law during this window
Phase 2: Transfer and Placement (Hours 12-36)
This is where families often lose track of their loved one. ICE can transfer detainees to facilities that are sometimes hours away from home. Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov as your first step to locate them using their name, country of birth, and date of birth.
Key actions during this phase:
- Search the ICE detainee locator with accurate spelling and date of birth
- Call 1-888-351-4024 (ICE ERO hotline) if the locator returns no results
- Contact an immigration attorney immediately – do not wait
Phase 3: Bond Hearing Eligibility (Hours 36-72)
Not everyone is eligible for bond. People with certain criminal convictions or prior removal orders may be subject to mandatory detention. For those who are eligible, a bond hearing before an immigration judge gives you a chance to argue for release. This can happen within days – or take weeks depending on the court’s docket.
Key actions during this phase:
- Gather evidence of community ties, employment, and family relationships
- Compile proof of residence, tax returns, and any prior immigration filings
- Have an attorney file a bond motion as quickly as possible
Thinking about this for your situation? Let’s talk. The team at Tourzani & Long, LLC offers consultations for deportation defense cases. We’ll walk you through your options – no pressure.
Hiring an Attorney vs. Handling It Alone: Which Approach Works?
Where hiring an attorney succeeds: An attorney can file motions quickly, appear at bond hearings, identify procedural errors in the arrest, and communicate directly with ICE and the immigration court. Having legal representation significantly improves bond approval outcomes based on general immigration court data.
Where hiring an attorney fails: Cost can be a barrier, and not all attorneys focus on removal defense. Choosing the wrong one – or one unfamiliar with New Jersey immigration courts – can slow things down.
Where handling it alone succeeds: In very limited situations, a person with a strong prior case file, no criminal history, and existing documentation may navigate an initial bond hearing without counsel.
Where handling it alone fails: Immigration court is complex. Without legal knowledge, families miss deadlines, submit incomplete evidence, and lose bond hearings that could have been won. Errors made in immigration court can have permanent consequences.
The verdict: Hire an immigration attorney who focuses on removal defense within the first 24 hours if at all possible. The bond hearing window is narrow, and the stakes are too high to navigate alone.
ApproachBond Hearing PrepTimeline ImpactBest ForImmigration AttorneyFull legal representationFastest responseAll detained casesAccredited RepresentativeLimited representationModerateLow-complexity casesNo RepresentationSelf-representedHighest risk of delaysNot recommended
See how our deportation defense and removal defense services work – or visit our attorney profiles to learn more about the team representing families across North Bergen, NJ and the surrounding region.
Your ICE Detention Response Action Plan
- Step 1 – Locate your family member: Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator immediately. Have their full legal name, date of birth, and country of birth ready.
- Step 2 – Do not panic-call immigration officials without counsel: Anything said by the detained person or family to ICE can affect the case. Silence is protected.
- Step 3 – Contact a removal defense attorney: Call within hours, not days. Tourzani & Long, LLC offers consultations for deportation defense cases and is reachable by telephone 24 hours a day.
- Step 4 – Gather documents: Pull together the checklist below before your first consultation.
- Step 5 – Prepare for the bond hearing: Work with your attorney to build a strong case for release, including community ties and financial support letters.
Documents to Gather Right Now
- ☐ Any prior immigration documents (visa, I-94, work permit, prior applications)
- ☐ Proof of residence (lease, utility bills, mail addressed to them)
- ☐ Tax returns or pay stubs showing employment history
- ☐ Birth certificates for any U.S. citizen children
- ☐ Marriage certificate if applicable
- ☐ Letters from employers, church leaders, or community members
- ☐ Any prior court notices from immigration court
Key Takeaways for Families Facing ICE Detention
- Act within hours, not days – bond hearings can happen quickly and missing them has real consequences
- Use the ICE detainee locator first – it’s the fastest way to find where your family member is being held
- Stay silent until an attorney is involved – statements made to ICE during detention can be used against your loved one
- Not everyone qualifies for bond – prior removal orders and certain criminal convictions can trigger mandatory detention
- Consultations are available – you don’t need to figure this out alone or without legal guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out where ICE is holding my family member?
The fastest method is the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov, which uses the person’s name and date of birth to search active detention records. If no results appear, call the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations hotline at 1-888-351-4024 and have identifying information ready.
Can ICE detain someone without a warrant?
Yes – ICE can arrest someone for civil immigration violations without a criminal warrant in many circumstances. Unlike criminal arrests, civil immigration enforcement follows different legal standards. An attorney can review whether the arrest followed proper procedures.
Does my family member get a phone call after ICE arrests them?
Detained individuals generally have the right to make phone calls, but the timing and access vary by facility. Some facilities allow calls within hours; others take longer. Your family member should call an attorney as their first priority.
What is an immigration bond and how much does it cost?
An immigration bond is a payment that allows a detained person to be released while their immigration case continues in court. Bond amounts are set by an immigration judge and typically range from $1,500 to $25,000 or more depending on the case. Bond is not available for everyone – mandatory detention applies in some situations.
How long can ICE hold someone without a hearing?
ICE can detain someone indefinitely pending removal proceedings in most circumstances, with no fixed statutory deadline for a hearing. However, immigration judges can set bond hearings, and in some cases federal courts have intervened to limit prolonged detention. This is one reason early legal representation matters so much.
Does Tourzani & Long, LLC handle ICE detention and removal defense cases?
Yes – removal defense and deportation defense are a primary focus of Tourzani & Long, LLC, serving clients in North Bergen, NJ and throughout the surrounding region including Hudson County, Bergen County, and communities across New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond. Consultations are available for all family and deportation defense cases, with 24-hour telephone access for urgent situations.
What is the difference between deportation and removal?
Legally, deportation and removal refer to the same outcome – a person being ordered to leave the United States by an immigration court. The term ‘removal’ is the current official terminology used in immigration law, while ‘deportation’ is the older term still widely used in everyday conversation.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Tourzani & Long, LLC today for a consultation on your family’s deportation defense case. Situations involving ICE detention change fast – reaching out now gives your family the best chance at the best possible outcome.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Please consult a qualified immigration attorney regarding your individual situation.
About the Author
The Tourzani & Long, LLC Team is an immigration law firm based in North Bergen, NJ, focused on removal defense, deportation defense, family-based petitions, and naturalization. The firm serves clients throughout New Jersey, New York, and surrounding states. For more information, visit our attorney profiles or explore our practice areas.