How to Locate Your Loved One if They Are Detained by ICE
🕵️ How to Find Out if Someone Is in ICE Custody — And What to Do Next
Getting arrested is always frightening—but for immigrants, it can mean immediate detention, possible deportation, and weeks of uncertainty for their families.
Unlike the criminal justice system, ICE detention can happen without warning. Someone might vanish during a routine traffic stop, a workplace raid, or even after a court appearance for an unrelated issue. You may go days without hearing from a loved one, unsure if they’ve been arrested—let alone where they’re being held.
So what can you do if you think someone you care about is in immigration custody? This guide explains exactly how to find them—and how immigration bonds can help bring them home faster.
📉 The Reality of ICE Detention in the U.S.
According to the latest data from TRAC Immigration, nearly 46.4% of individuals in ICE detention have no criminal record. That means many people are detained not because of violent offenses, but due to visa overstays, missed court dates, or simply being undocumented.
This makes it even more urgent for families to act fast—to locate, support, and secure the release of their loved one before removal proceedings move forward.
🔍 Step 1: How to Locate Someone in ICE Custody
☎️ Start by Contacting Local Authorities
If you suspect someone has been detained, begin with a call to your local police department or county jail. Share the individual’s full name, date of birth, and any identifying information you have.
While local law enforcement doesn’t always have access to ICE records, this step helps:
Confirm or rule out whether your loved one was arrested locally
Provide documentation of your effort to locate them
Potentially connect you with agencies that do have ICE contact
If they don’t have the person in custody, move to the next step immediately.
🌐 Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System
Your best chance of locating someone in ICE custody is by using their Online Detainee Locator Tool.
To use it, you’ll need:
Full legal name
Country of birth
Date of birth
Optional: A-Number (if you have immigration records)
This tool will show:
Where the person is being held
The facility’s contact information
Visitation rules and phone policies
If the person isn’t found, try alternative name spellings or check back in a few hours—there’s often a delay in updates.
📝 Step 2: What to Do After Finding Them
Once you’ve located your loved one in ICE custody, the next goal is to secure their release through an immigration bond.
But first—understand what kind of bond applies to their case.
💼 Types of Immigration Bonds
According to ICE Form I-352, there are four main types of immigration bonds:
1. Delivery Bond
This is the most common immigration bond. It allows the detainee to be released on the condition that they appear at all immigration hearings.
To qualify, the detainee must:
Not be a threat to public safety
Not be considered a flight risk
Be eligible for release under immigration law
Once the case concludes—whether by a decision or voluntary departure—the bond may be refunded, provided all conditions were met.
2. Voluntary Departure Bond
This bond applies when a person agrees to leave the U.S. on their own within a certain timeframe, avoiding formal deportation. If they comply, the bond is refunded.
This option is best for:
Individuals with limited legal defense
Those who want to avoid reentry penalties from a removal order
People with plans to return home permanently or reapply legally in the future
3. Supervision Bond
Issued to individuals who are released under supervision, this bond requires strict check-ins with ICE and possibly GPS monitoring.
4. Public Safety Bond
This less common bond ensures the individual doesn’t engage in behavior that would threaten the public, such as violating parole or committing crimes.
💸 Step 3: How to Post an Immigration Bond
There are two ways to post an immigration bond:
Option 1: Cash Bond (Paid to DHS)
You—or another legal resident acting as a co-signer (the “obligor”)—can pay the full bond amount directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here’s what you’ll need:
A cashier’s check (personal checks and cash are not accepted)
Valid government-issued photo ID
Original Social Security card (no copies accepted)
Once the payment is made, the detainee is typically released within the same day.
Want to know how much you might pay? Try our bond calculator tool for an instant estimate.
Option 2: Work With a Licensed Immigration Bondsman
If you can’t afford to pay the full bond amount, you can work with a licensed bail bond agency like Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds.
Here’s how it works:
You pay a 15% premium plus an application fee
We handle all ICE paperwork and payment logistics
We accept cash or property collateral, depending on your financial situation
We expedite the release—often within hours
This is often the fastest, most affordable way to secure a loved one’s release, especially in high-bond cases or emergencies.
🚨 Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait to Act
Immigrants without valid documentation, lapsed visas, or pending removal orders can be detained without warning—and often transferred to out-of-state detention facilities. That’s why every minute counts.
If your loved one is missing, don’t delay:
Use the ICE locator tool
Call facilities and local authorities
Secure a bond and bring them home
At Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, we’ve helped families across the country navigate complex ICE cases and post bonds quickly.
📞 Get Help From Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds
We provide:
Nationwide immigration bond services
Bilingual support in English & Spanish
Fast processing with same-day release in many cases
Flexible payment options including property collateral
Call (800) 537-0645 or request a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to help you bring your loved one home—fast.
