# If you or someone close to you is detained

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/if-detained/

How to find a detained person, where to get a lawyer, who helps with bond, and what to prepare in advance.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

ICE detains people on immigration grounds. That is not the same as an NYPD arrest in a criminal case: the rules and the lawyers differ.

The government gives no lawyer to people facing deportation, but New York City has programs that find free lawyers for some detained people.

This is general information, not legal advice; QARAVAN has no lawyers.

## Start here

- Find the person at [locator.ice.gov](https://locator.ice.gov) by country of birth and A-number, or by country of birth, first and last name and date of birth.
- Fill in the form at [on.nyc.gov/rrlc](https://on.nyc.gov/rrlc) (Rapid Response Legal Collaborative, the City's rapid legal help program) or contact the free City MOIA line at [1-800-354-0365](tel:18003540365), which has Russian speakers.
- If the person already had a removal order or is being moved outside New York and New Jersey, find a lawyer at once: they could be removed quickly.

## The first hours: finding the person

1. Find the A-number An A-number is 8 or 9 digits after the letter A, for example A 000-000-000. It is on most of the person's immigration papers and on their wristband in detention. If you don't have it, ask the person when they call.
2. Open locator.ice.gov Enter the country of birth and A-number, or country of birth, first and last name and date of birth. Spell the name exactly, or the system won't find the person.
3. Write down what witnesses saw If you or someone else saw the arrest, write down everything you remember: when, where, who was there, what they did and said. Collect photos and other proof and give them to a lawyer.
4. Understand where the person may be First the person is processed at the ICE office in Manhattan, usually for about a day. Then they are moved to a detention center, most often in New York or New Jersey, sometimes in another state. Centers can be in a jail or a federal building. In September 2026 federal Judge Lewis Kaplan permanently capped the number of people held in the 10th-floor cells at 26 Federal Plaza and ordered ICE to meet basic conditions there, including access to lawyers.
5. Get legal help right away Don't wait: fill in the RRLC form or contact the City's MOIA line ([1-800-354-0365](tel:18003540365)): free, confidential, Russian available.

## What legal help is available

Free lawyers for detained people and their families

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## Rapid Response Legal Collaborative

- The RRLC form (on.nyc.gov/rrlc) NYC residents Free One application to RRLC, three legal organizations under City contract: for people detained, at risk of detention or removal, told they won't see an immigration judge, or facing expedited removal. The form does not guarantee a lawyer. Advice from the organizations is not City advice. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page)
- Make the Road New York NYC residents Free One of the three organizations the RRLC works with. You don’t contact it directly: apply through the RRLC form. [maketheroadny.org](https://maketheroadny.org/) 301 Grove Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237
- New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) NYC residents Free One of the three organizations the RRLC works with. You don’t contact it directly: apply through the RRLC form. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-Collaborative-Flyer-English.pdf) 100 Pearl Street, 19th floor, New York, NY 10004
- UnLocal NYC residents Free One of the three organizations the RRLC works with. You don’t contact it directly: apply through the RRLC form. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-Collaborative-Flyer-English.pdf) 45 W 29th Street, #203, New York, NY 10001

## New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP)

1. If the program doesn't fit NYIFUP gives free lawyers to detained people at their first hearing in the case; a lawyer may be assigned soon after the first master calendar hearing. People with a removal order or no court case may not qualify; then contact the City's MOIA line ([1-800-354-0365](tel:18003540365), Russian available).

- The Bronx Defenders NYC residents Free One of the three NYIFUP organizations. You don’t need to call: the program itself assigns the lawyer. [bronxdefenders.org](https://bronxdefenders.org/) 360 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
- The Legal Aid Society NYC residents Free One of the three NYIFUP organizations. You don’t need to call: the program itself assigns the lawyer. [legalaidnyc.org](https://legalaidnyc.org/) 199 Water Street, New York, NY 10038
- Brooklyn Defender Services NYC residents Free One of the three NYIFUP organizations. You don’t need to call: the program itself assigns the lawyer. [bds.org](https://bds.org/) 177 Livingston Street, #7, Brooklyn, NY 11201

## Other hotlines for detained people and their families

- MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline NYC residents Free A free, confidential City line with Russian: it answers questions and tells you where to find a lawyer, but doesn't book appointments. New Yorkers with income below 200% of the federal poverty level can get legal help. [800-354-0365](tel:8003540365) [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page) Mon and Wed 9 am–8 pm, Tue, Thu, Fri 9 am–6 pm, last Saturday of the month 9 am–5 pm
- New Americans Hotline (New York State) Any status Free New York State's line for new Americans: anonymous, over 200 languages: say “Russian”. It answers immigration questions, refers people to free lawyers, detained people included, and takes fraud reports. [1-800-566-7636](tel:18005667636) [dos.ny.gov](https://dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans) Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm, Sat–Sun 9 am–5 pm
- Immigration Equality Any status A legal organization for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV. The detention line is in English and takes calls only from detention centers: Mon and Wed 9:30 am–5:30 pm, Tue 11 am–5:30 pm. People who are free use the confidential form [on the website](https://immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help/), which is introduced in Russian too; replies can be slow because demand is high. [(917) 654-9696](tel:9176549696) (detention hotline) [immigrationequality.org](https://immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help/)

## Bond

1. Know what a bond is Immigration bond is money paid to the US government to release a person until the case ends. The person promises to follow the release conditions, including the judge's orders.
2. Find out if a bond hearing is possible Not everyone gets bond. At a bond hearing the judge decides whether the person can be released if they or someone they trust pays. If no hearing is allowed, there are other ways to challenge detention, but they need an experienced lawyer.
3. Ask about mandatory detention According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), on July 8, 2025 ICE issued interim guidance that people in the US without admission are subject to mandatory detention, with no bond hearing. On September 5, 2025 the Board of Immigration Appeals in Matter of Yajure Hurtado held that immigration judges may not hold bond hearings for them. In a note of September 17, 2026, CRS says the Second Circuit (the appeals court covering New York) and eight other federal appeals courts rejected this reading, while the Fifth and Eighth Circuits accepted it. On October 1, 2026 the Supreme Court agreed to hear the Second Circuit case (Rhoney v. Barbosa da Cunha, No. 26-104); briefs are due by January 2027, so the question is open. Ask a lawyer about a habeas petition in federal court.
4. Understand how long it may last The person stays detained until the case ends or a judge grants bond. How long that takes can't be known in advance.
5. Find out who may pay the bond Bond is paid through ICE's online CeBONDS system ([ice.gov/bonds](https://ice.gov/bonds)) by transfer from a bank account. It may be paid by a US citizen, a green card holder, a law firm or a nonprofit; proof of citizenship or the green card is required. If you don't have that status, ask a citizen or green card holder, or a fund, to pay it.
6. If you cannot afford the bond If bond is granted and there is no money, nonprofit immigrant funds may pay all or part of it. Help is not guaranteed.
7. Contact the fund that fits Envision Freedom Fund in New York takes applications through its website form, and LGBTQ Freedom Fund pays bond in every state, first of all for LGBTQ+ people and migrants.

- Envision Freedom Fund Any status Apply for immigration bond help through the website form. People in immigration detention have a separate line in English: Tue and Thu 3–5 pm Eastern time. The fund warns that it never charges fees, never asks to be paid back and never asks for transfers by Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria or Zelle. Anyone asking you to pay that way in its name is a scammer. [718-717-2007](tel:7187172007) (line for people in immigration detention) [envisionfreedom.org](https://envisionfreedom.org/get-support/) detention line Tue and Thu 3–5 pm Eastern time
- The LGBTQ Freedom Fund Any status Pays immigration bond in all states, first of all for LGBTQ+ people and migrants. Email: info@lgbtqfund.org. [lgbtqfund.org](https://www.lgbtqfund.org/)

## Visits and contact with the detained person

1. Find the facility in the ICE directory Find the center at [ice.gov/detention-facilities](https://ice.gov/detention-facilities) and read the ID and screening rules.
2. Get on the visitor list You must be on the detained person's visitor list and come only on the days and hours the center sets.
3. Think about your own case If you fear your own status makes a visit risky, talk to a lawyer first.

- ICE detention facility directory Any status Addresses, phone numbers and visiting rules of detention centers. [ice.gov](https://www.ice.gov/detention-facilities)

## Court dates and removal orders

1. Find the date of the first hearing Enter the A-number at [acis.eoir.justice.gov](https://acis.eoir.justice.gov) to see the next hearing date.
2. Check old decisions If the person is in the system but has no hearing date, check past decisions. If it says “ordered removal”, there will be no new hearing: contact a lawyer immediately.
3. Check whether there is a removal order A removal order is a document in which an immigration judge or immigration authorities order a noncitizen to leave the US. You can check for one at [on.nyc.gov/eoir](https://on.nyc.gov/eoir).
4. Gather the papers from earlier cases If the person was ordered to leave before, gather all papers from that case: a lawyer will need them at once.

## A family plan: what to do in advance

1. Choose an emergency contact A family member, friend, community member or lawyer. Memorize the number instead of relying on your phone's contacts, and keep the lawyer's or trusted person's number in your wallet.
2. Give them your A-number Without your A-number you are hard to find in the system. Leave it with someone you trust along with your court date and place.
3. Keep documents in a safe place Keep documents where your emergency contact can reach them. Make paper copies and photos or scans of your passport, EAD, USCIS receipts and court notices. Keep digital copies somewhere secure, such as a password-protected email, and give a copy to someone you trust.
4. Collect proof that you have been in the U.S. over two years If you entered without inspection and without parole, keep leases, rent receipts, bills, medical and bank records, work letters, tax returns and mail with your name and address: they prove how long you have lived here.
5. Talk about the care of your children Update the emergency contact at your child's school and decide who will make decisions for your child if you are detained.
6. Learn the key phrases in advance Learn “I want to remain silent and speak to a lawyer” and “I am afraid to return to my country”.

## Who will take care of your children if you are detained

1. Talk to a lawyer before you choose There are three ways, and you can combine them; two need no court. A lawyer can tell you what fits your family.
2. Details of the forms Form OCFS-4940 is available in many languages: find it [on the OCFS website by the number 4940](https://ocfs.ny.gov/forms/?find=4940); instructions are inside. With a standby guardian the parent keeps all rights and can revoke the designation.

Ways to name a person who will look after your child

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## Help for families and City materials

- Family Legal Care Any status An organization on the City's list of family resources. It helps parents and caregivers without a lawyer navigate New York family court. You can send a family court question in writing through the secure form: [familylegalcare.org/secure-email](https://familylegalcare.org/secure-email); they answer within three business days. The website is available in Russian. [familylegalcare.org](https://familylegalcare.org/)
- Resources for Immigrant Parents and Caregivers (a MOIA flyer) Any status Free A MOIA flyer on preparing for possible separation from your children, available in Russian. The City's MOIA line can also help with a standby guardian. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/family-separation.page)
- A MOIA form for people at risk of detention Any status Free MOIA's Know Your Rights page has a form for people at risk of detention and those already detained to get support. [nyc.gov](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights.page)
- Standby guardian on the New York courts website Any status The court system’s explanation of what a standby guardian is, how to sign the form with two adult witnesses and where to file the petition. [nycourts.gov](https://www.nycourts.gov/help/guardianship/appointing-standby-guardian-child)

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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[All pages: Safety and your rights](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/safety/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/get-legal-help.page)
- [nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/know-your-rights.page)
- [maketheroadny.org](https://maketheroadny.org/)
- [nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-C…](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-Collaborative-Flyer-English.pdf)
- [bronxdefenders.org](https://bronxdefenders.org/)
- [legalaidnyc.org](https://legalaidnyc.org/)
- [bds.org](https://bds.org/)
- [dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans](https://dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans)
- [immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help](https://immigrationequality.org/legal/legal-help/)
- [envisionfreedom.org/get-support](https://envisionfreedom.org/get-support/)
- [lgbtqfund.org](https://www.lgbtqfund.org/)
- [ice.gov/detention-facilities](https://www.ice.gov/detention-facilities)
- [familylegalcare.org](https://familylegalcare.org/)
- [nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/family-separation.page](https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/family-separation.page)
- [nycourts.gov/help/guardianship/appointing-standby-guardian-child](https://www.nycourts.gov/help/guardianship/appointing-standby-guardian-child)
- [on.nyc.gov/rrlc](https://on.nyc.gov/rrlc)
- [familylegalcare.org/secure-email](https://familylegalcare.org/secure-email/)
- [ice.gov/bonds](https://www.ice.gov/bonds)
- [nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-C…](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/immigrants/downloads/pdf/Rapid-Response-Legal-Collaborative-Flyer-Russian.pdf)