REPORT ABUSE IN DETENION
If someone you know is detained in an immigration facility in the U.S. and experiencing harm, abuse, neglect, legal challenges, etc. you can directly contact The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) on their behalf. OIDO is an independent office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dedicated to examining immigration detention settings to promote and support safe and humane conditions. OIDO case managers are present in immigration detention facilities across the country, where they accept complaints directly from detainees. Anyone can file a complaint with OIDO – a community-based organization, an immigration attorney, a family member, etc. – by clicking here.
HOTLINES & PHONE APPS
- If you or someone you know has been arrested by ICE, we recommend calling the Migra (Immigration Enforcement) Hotline at +1 (844) 363‑1423 to be connected with local resources.
- If you are in danger of being arrested, or plan on participating in a protest, we recommend downloading the Notifica app on your phone and adding the phone numbers of family and friends to send alerts in the case of your arrest.
PREPARING FAMILY MEMBERS AND ALLIES
- How to prepare your family in case you are arrested by ICE. Video available in Punjabi and English. Produced by Sikh Family Center.
- How to prepare your family in case of arrest by ICE. Video available in English. Produced by Catholic Charities.
- How to create a family plan. Video vailable in English. Created by Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
- Protecting finances and children in case of arrest by ICE. Video available in English. Produced by Appleseed Network.
- Online Detainee Locator System. Database accessible in English. Maintained by U.S Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- What happens when someone is detained. Video available in English. Produced by All Law.
- Video on how to avoid an immigration scam. Video available in Punjabi and English. Produced by Sikh Family Center.
WHEN ICE APPROACHES YOU OR A COMMUNITY MEMBER
- Know Your Rights Pocket Cards. Available in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, and Nepali. Produced by Restaurant Opportunities Center.
- What To Do If ICE Visits Your Home. Video available in American Sign Language. Produced by Deaf Queer Resource Center.
- Flyer for community members on rights during encounters with ICE in the community. Available in Punjabi, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu. Produced by Immigrant Defense Project.
- Poster to hang in the home with a reminder of your rights, what to say, and what to document in case of an ICE (immigration) raid. Available in English. Produced by Immigrant Defense Project.
- What to do when ICE comes to your home. Videovailable in English and Urdu. Produced by ACLU.
- What to do when ICE comes to your home. Video available in Punjabi. Produced by Sikh Family Center.
- Your rights when ICE is inside your home. Video available in English and Urdu. Produced by ACLU.
- Your rights when ICE approaches you on the street, at work, in court, or anywhere else in public. Video available in English and Urdu. Produced by ACLU.
- What to do if ICE arrests you. Video available in English and Urdu. Produced by ACLU.
- What to do when pulled over in a car by the police. Video available in Punjabi and English. Produced by Sikh Family Center.
- Printable Red Card (If ICE attempts to enter your home). Available in English and Punjabi. Produced by Sikh Family Center.
- Wallet Card: What to do if stopped by ICE, Police, or FBI. Available in English. Produced by ACLU.
WHAT TO DO IF AT WORK OR IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER
- Employer Rights and Responsibilities During ICE Raid. Available in English. Produced by AILA.
- Worker’s Rights During a Raid. Available in English and Punjabi. Produced by AILA.
- Worksite Rights for Workers. Available in English. Produced by Legal Aid At Work.
BOND AND LEGAL SUPPORT
- Directory of legal providers across the U.S. Available in English. Produced by Immigration Advocates.
- Directory of community bail funds in the U.S. Available in English. Produced by Community Justice Exchange.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE RESOURCES
- Webinar on Defending Migrants for South Asian Advocates and Community Members (slides available here). Available in English. Produced by SAALT.
- Guide for sharing information about raids on social media. Produced by Desis Rising Up & Moving (D.R.U.M.).
- South Asian Rapid Response Network Organized by SAALT; sign up here. Should we say that we look for language and legal support resources here from community members?
- Action list for community members interested in stopping detention and deportation. Developed by Immigrant Defense Project.
- Toolkit for defending against ICE raids and community arrests. Produced by Immigrant Defense Project and Center for Constitutional Rights.
- How to video document ICE encounters. Produced by Immigrant Defense Project.
- Train-the-trainer toolkit for Know-Your-Rights presentations. Produced by Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s
REGIONAL RESOURCES
- Immigration Emergency Hotline: DC, Maryland, Virginia. Available in Hindi, Urdu, Bangla, Nepali, and Punjabi.
- Illinois government agencies offering support to immigrants. Available in English, Hindi.
EXTENDED RESOURCES
DONATE
- The Fronterizo Fianza Fund is a community bond (fianza) fund based in El Paso and serving Far West Texas and New Mexico. Many detained migrants have no chance to be released while they wait the months or years until their trial. When someone does receive a bond, they are often way out of reach for most families, ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $50,000.
- The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project is the only organization in Arizona that provides free legal and social services to detained men, women, and children under threat of deportation.
- Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families and refugees in Central and South Texas.