Immediate Steps to Take
Get their A-Number (A#)
Ask your friend or family member for their alien registration number — a 9-digit number ICE will give them upon arrest. If they previously filed an immigration application or were processed at the border, they may already have an A# on their immigration documents.
Locate them in detention
Use the ICE detainee locator at locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search — search by A# and country of birth, or by biographical information. A directory of ICE detention facilities including contact information is available at ice.gov/detention-facilities.
Set up communication and visits
Contact the detention facility directly to schedule calls or visits. Some facilities allow in-person visitation; others offer video visitation only. Each facility has its own process for setting up phone accounts and sending money for basic necessities — call the facility to ask.
Report any raids
Write down details about what happened as soon as possible. Call ICIRR’s Family Support Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693). Support is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Polish.
Gather immigration and criminal documents
Collect any prior immigration applications and receipt notices. Collect police reports, probable cause affidavits, charging documents, and sentencing documents if applicable.
Look up court hearing information
Using the A#, look up the next immigration court hearing at acis.eoir.justice.gov or call 1-800-898-7180.
Will My Loved One Have a Court Hearing?
Who Does NOT Have the Right to a Hearing
The following people do not have a right to a court hearing and may be deported without going before a judge. You can check for outstanding removal orders and prior deportations on the immigration court portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov.
Outstanding removal orders
A judge already ordered someone removed because they missed court, lost their case, or were not eligible for a hearing. ICE can remove them using the old removal order unless the person successfully files a motion to reopen their immigration case.
Prior deportations
ICE can remove people who were previously deported — including those deported through expedited proceedings at the border — without the right to a new court hearing.
Aggravated felony convictions
People convicted of offenses considered aggravated felonies under immigration law who also do not have lawful status may be removed without a hearing.
Expedited removal orders
Noncitizens apprehended at or near the border may be removed by an expedited removal order. They only receive a hearing if they express a fear of returning to their country and pass a Credible Fear Interview (CFI) with an Asylum Officer.
For prior deportations and aggravated felony convictions: if someone expresses a fear of returning to their country, they will have a Reasonable Fear Interview (RFI) with an Asylum Officer. If they pass the RFI, they will have hearings before an immigration judge to seek protection. If you are afraid, say so — to every immigration official you meet.
Who DOES Have the Right to a Hearing
All other noncitizens — including lawful permanent residents and undocumented individuals living in the US — have the right to request a court hearing with an immigration judge to apply for relief from removal.
What is a Notice to Appear (NTA)?
ICE will serve noncitizens with a charging document called a Notice to Appear (NTA), which initiates formal removal proceedings. The hearing date listed on the NTA is typically incorrect — the court will issue a new notice once it processes the NTA. If the person is detained, it will take 2–4 weeks for the court to schedule their first hearing. Check the court portal regularly for updates.
What should I expect from the hearing process?
A noncitizen will typically have several hearings as part of their removal case. If you ask for more time to find an attorney, it is common for an immigration judge to schedule a new hearing in 2–3 weeks. It is extremely unlikely that someone will be removed at their first court hearing unless they specifically request a removal order.
How do I attend a hearing?
If your loved one is scheduled for court at the Chicago Immigration Court, visit justice.gov/eoir/chicago-immigration-court for attendance information. Detained hearings are usually held by videoconference — information on how to attend is available at justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings.
Can My Loved One Be Released on Bond?
Not everyone has the right to a bond hearing. Whether someone is eligible depends on their immigration and criminal history. Noncitizens with outstanding removal orders, prior deportations, or aggravated felony convictions are not eligible for bond. Noncitizens with certain other criminal convictions are subject to mandatory detention, meaning an immigration judge cannot grant them bond.
Other detained noncitizens in removal proceedings may have the right to request a bond hearing. Because a person can usually only request one bond hearing, it is strongly recommended to find an attorney before requesting bond — or at minimum, to request more time at the initial hearing to prepare letters of support and other evidence.
For more guidance on paying bond, see the Community Justice Exchange guide at communityjusticeexchange.org.
Finding an Attorney or Representative
The immigration court system does not guarantee a free lawyer if you cannot afford one. If you do not have an immigration attorney or Board Accredited Representative, ask the immigration judge for time to find one. Reach out to several offices at once — availability can be limited.
Be careful of fraud. Notarios are not always lawyers in the United States and cannot necessarily practice law or appear in immigration court. Check that any representative is in good standing with your state bar association and the DOJ list of disciplined practitioners at justice.gov/eoir/list-of-currently-disciplined-practitioners.
| Organization | Who They Serve | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) | Detained immigrants | Call (773) 672-6599 Tuesdays 11am–2pm. Detained immigrants call collect at (312) 583-9721 or use pro bono platform code 565. immigrantjustice.org/contact-us |
| Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA) | Eligible immigrants in detention in Illinois | Free legal services through NIJC, The Resurrection Project, The Immigration Project, and Cook County Public Defender. immigrantjustice.org/midwest-immigrant-defenders-alliance |
| ICIRR Attorney Referral List (Illinois) | Illinois residents | icirr.org/resources |
| Immigration Court Free Attorney List | All | justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations |
| Immigrant Advocates Directory | All | immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association | All | ailalawyer.com |
Additional Resources
- NIJC Know Your Rights Manual for People in Detention
- Other NIJC Know Your Rights Resources
- Immigration Court Self-Help Materials
- Community Justice Exchange — Guide to Paying Bond
- ACLU — What to Do When Interacting with ICE
Published by the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC).