Locating a family member detained by Immigration (ICE)
You can try to locate your loved one using their ‘A’ number by visiting the website below. Keep in mind that the online system may not have updated information right away. We’ve also included phone numbers for a few detention centers below in case you need to contact them directly. To visit someone at a detention center, you must bring a valid government-issued ID.
https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
Los Angeles Office: 213-830-7911
San Diego Office: 619-710-8301
San Francisco Office: 415-844-7911
ALERT: Despite misinformation out there, VAWA, U and T visa programs have NOT been cancelled or terminated! These bipartisan protections were created by Congress and the Administration cannot unilaterally take them away. While there is news that ICE has changed its guidance on enforcement actions related to potential or actual beneficiaries of victim-based benefits, we want to be VERY clear that the VAWA, U and T visa programs have NOT been cancelled or terminated. Please consult with a trusted immigration attorney in your area with any questions. You can find a qualified immigration attorney at the National Immigration Legal Services Directory. AIS will put out more information on this guidance soon.
Family Preparedness Plan:
Childcare plan
A Childcare plan is a plan that allows a trusted adult to care for your child in the event that you cannot. This plan should include emergency numbers, list of important contact information, and a file with important documents – medical, legal, etc. In California there are 3 main ways to plan for another adult to take care of your child:
- Verbal Agreement: This is the most informal and easy agreement – there are no forms or legal processes to go through – however, it is the least binding – the selected individual will not have the legal authority to make medical or educational decisions on the behalf of your child.
- Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (CAA): The CAA is a form an adult can fill out and file that allows them to make certain school and medical decisions on behalf of your child. The benefit of this approach is that the CAA can be given to your child’s school or health care provider so that your chosen caregiver can make certain decisions for the child, and it does not affect your parental rights.
- Guardianship: The most formal arrangement is to have a court appoint a guardian for your child. The benefit of guardianship is that once someone has been appointed as a guardian by a California Probate Court, that person has full legal and physical custody of your child, meaning they can make decisions on behalf of your child. When a guardian is appointed, parental rights are suspended while the guardianship is in place. The drawback of guardianship is that it must be terminated by the Probate Court in order to get your parental rights back. Guardianship can only be ordained by a state court, not by power of attorney.
Write down important medical information
Make sure to write down any medical conditions or allergies your child has, any medications that your child takes, and doctor and health insurance information. Keep a copy of this information in your important documents file. Give a copy to your child’s school and the adult you designate to care for your child. Let your child know where to find this information if you are not around.
Make sure all children have passports
If your child was born in the United States, visit www.travel.state.gov for more information on obtaining a U.S. passport. If your child was born in a different country, check with the embassy or consulate for more information on obtaining a passport.
Inform your family on how to contact you if you are detained by ICE
Family members can use the ICE detainee locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/ search to find someone in ICE custody. Be sure your family and emergency contacts have a copy of your A-Number (your registration number found on your immigration documents from ICE), if you have one.
Talk to your family about your plan
Without worrying them, assure your children that they will be taken care of if for some reason you are unable to care for them, even for a short time. Let them know who will care for them until you can.
Resources:
Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (ENG)
Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (ESP)
Emergency Contact Sheet (ENG)
Emergency Contact Sheet (ESP)
Know Your Rights Cards (ENG)
Know Your Rights Cards (ESP)
ICE Detainee Locator
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
Know Your Rights:
Everyone – both documented and undocumented persons – has rights in this country. Talk to everyone in your family (including children) and household to make sure they all know what to do if approached by immigration officials (ICE) or if immigration officials (ICE) come to your house.
- Do not open the door for ICE or any police officer without a signed warrant. You do not need to open the door unless an ICE agent can show you a warrant signed by a judge with your specific and correct name and address on it. If ICE knocks on your door, ask them to slide the search warrant under the door or show it through a window. Make sure the warrant is signed by a judge and has your address on it. If ICE or the police do not have this, then you do not have to open the door. Once you open the door, you lose certain rights.
- You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer. Do not sign anything you do not understand and agree with. That could eliminate your right to speak with a lawyer or have a hearing in front of an immigration judge. This may result in you being deported immediately without a hearing. If you wish to remain in the United States, ask to go before the immigration judge.
- You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call. Make sure to memorize or carry the phone numbers of the person you will call in an emergency. Ideally, this person would be someone who can put your plans and wishes into place, call your immigration attorney, and access your important documents.
More detailed information can be found here: Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRC
Legal Resources Nearby
Immigrant Hope Santa Barbara: Immigrant Hope Santa Barbara is a nonprofit organization that is Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized and accredited to offer low-cost immigration legal services including representation on USCIS applications and representation in Immigration Court. They also offer civics tutoring, English classes, and driver’s license handbook study courses in Spanish.
Website: http://immigranthopesb.org/
Email:
Address: 935 San Andres St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone Number: (805) 963-0166
IMPORTA Centro de Inmigración (Lompoc Office): IMPORTA is a non-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services at a very low cost to low-income immigrants. IMPORTA offers a full range of legal services to local immigrants, including deportation defense, U Visas and VAWA, DACA, Family Petitions, and more. They serve Santa Barbara county.
Website: http://www.importasb.org/
Email:
Address: 604 E Ocean Ave, Suite E, Lompoc, CA 93436
Phone Number: (805) 604-5060
Immigrant Legal Defense Center: Immigrant Legal Defense Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit agency promoting equal access to justice and due process by providing pro bono legal services to indigent immigrants in deportation proceedings and educating immigrants on their basic civil rights. Their services focus on removal defense, asylum seekers, unaccompanied undocumented children and youths, and more. They are a Santa Barbara county wide service.
Website: https://www.sbimmigrantdefense.org/
Email:
Address: 120 E. Jones St. #117, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Phone Number: 805-886-9136
More legal services can be found here: National Immigration Legal Services Directory – Immigration Advocates Network
