When ICE Arrests a Family Member: What to Do and Who Can Help

When ICE arrests a family member, the fear that follows is unlike almost anything else. One moment your spouse, your parent, or your child is home. The next, they are in detention and you do not know where, how long they will be held, or whether you will see them again soon. I have represented families in exactly this situation — cases that came to us in the middle of the night, cases where someone had already been transferred between facilities before the family even knew what was happening. What I want you to know is this: an ICE arrest is not the end of the road. But the steps you take immediately afterward matter deeply.

This is what you need to understand, and what you need to do.

What Happens After an ICE Arrest

When ICE detains someone, that person is typically taken to a detention facility — which may or may not be close to where they live. In Texas, individuals are held in facilities throughout the state, and transfers happen, sometimes quickly. The detained person has the right to a hearing before an immigration judge, though that right must be properly asserted and the process followed precisely.

ICE will set a bond amount in many cases, which determines whether your loved one can be released while their case proceeds through immigration court. In some situations — particularly for individuals with prior orders of removal or certain criminal history — ICE may argue they should be held without bond. That is not always the final word. A bond redetermination hearing before an immigration judge can be requested, and we have successfully argued for bond in cases where ICE initially said none would be set. Learn more about deportation and removal defense and what options exist at each stage.

The First Thing to Do: Find Out Where They Are

The ICE Online Detainee Locator at ice.gov allows you to search for a detained individual using their name, country of birth, and date of birth. This is the fastest official way to locate someone in ICE custody. If you cannot find them through that tool, call our office. We have other avenues for locating detained clients quickly.

Once you know where they are being held, you need the A-number — the alien registration number assigned to every non-citizen. That number appears on any prior immigration documents your loved one may have received. It is essential for tracking the case and filing on their behalf.

What Not to Do

Do not contact ICE directly and volunteer information. Do not allow other family members to speak with immigration officers without legal guidance. Statements made by family members can sometimes surface in removal proceedings.

Do not assume that because someone has lived here for many years, or has American-born children, or was previously told their case was resolved, that they are protected. Long-term residence and family ties are factors in a deportation case — but they are not automatic defenses. They must be properly presented by an attorney who knows how to frame them within the law. The National Immigration Law Center offers guidance on locating detained individuals, but legal representation is a separate and urgent step.

What Defenses May Be Available

Every case is different, and the defenses available depend entirely on the individual’s immigration history, the basis for the detention, and what relief may apply. Some of the avenues we evaluate include:

• Cancellation of Removal — available to certain long-term residents who can demonstrate exceptional hardship to qualifying family members
• Asylum, Withholding of Removal, or Convention Against Torture — for individuals who face genuine danger if returned to their country of origin
• Adjustment of Status — if the detained person has a qualifying family or employment-based petition that may allow them to apply for a green card
• Bond Redetermination — requesting a lower bond or arguing for release on supervision while the case is pending

None of these options are simple, and not every option applies to every case. Cano Immigration takes on the cases that other firms turn away — the cases that look complicated on the surface, where someone has a prior order, a gap in status, or a difficult history. Those are the cases we are built for. You can read more about our approach to immigrants’ rights advocacy in Houston.

The Importance of Acting Immediately

Immigration court operates on strict deadlines. If your loved one receives a Notice to Appear, that document starts the clock on their case. Master calendar hearings are scheduled quickly, and merits hearings require substantial preparation. The sooner an attorney is involved, the more time there is to gather evidence, locate witnesses, prepare declarations, and file the correct motions.

Families who wait — who hope the situation will resolve itself, or who rely on someone without proper credentials — often find themselves in a significantly worse position when they finally reach us. I say this not to cause more fear, but because I want you to understand that time is not neutral in these cases. It works against you if you don’t move. The official U.S. government guide for families of detained individuals is a useful starting point, but it is not a substitute for legal counsel.

A Note on Who Handles Your Case

There are many people in the Houston area who present themselves as able to help with immigration matters. Some are notarios. Some are unlicensed document preparers. They charge fees, they fill out forms, and they often create problems that take years to untangle. Board Certified immigration attorneys are held to strict standards and carry actual legal accountability for the advice they give.

At Cano Immigration, every case is handled by a licensed, Board Certified immigration attorney. That distinction matters, especially when what is at stake is a family’s ability to stay together.

Frequently Asked Questions

You Do Not Have to Face This Alone

When a family member is detained by ICE in Houston or anywhere in Texas, the path forward exists — but it requires the right guidance, the right strategy, and someone who will fight with everything available under the law. Cano Immigration has handled the hardest cases this area has seen. Call us at 832-288-2727 or visit our contact page today. The sooner we speak, the more we can do.