Resources for People Detained or Worried About Being Detained

Getting Legal Help for Someone Detained by ICE
Their family or trusted friend can apply for free legal help. Call Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota at 651-641-1011 during detention line intake hours: Monday-Thursday: 1 – 3 p.m. Get information about court and the services they provide. Volunteers operating the phone line are not lawyers don’t provide any legal advice.

You can also try to get a private immigration lawyer. Search the American Immigration Lawyer Association directory. These lawyers charge money to help you.

Finding Someone Detained by ICE
Use this guide for the steps to take, including how to use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System: 
How to Find a Loved One After a U.S. Immigration Arrest - National Immigrant Law Center

Get Help with Bail
If you or someone you know needs their immigration bond paid, fill out the Bail Fund Intake Application. Do not fill out the application unless bond has been granted.

For support with rides, money, food and other needs

• For rides and someone to go with you to ICE check ins: ICOM – Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration
• For help for people detained by ICE, including getting money added to their inmate account so they can talk to their families: CWF – Ending isolation by visiting and supporting people detained by ICE
• For helping finding resources like groceries and rent support, call the COPAL navigator line: 612-255-3112

Get Help from a Lawyer

• Apply to attend a Deportation Preparedness clinic.
• Find other Legal Clinic so you can meet with a lawyer:
  • Minnesota's Immigration Legal Services Hub Initiative: Check for Hub Legal Clinics in your area
  • VLN Community Clinics
     

Learn about Your Rights and How to be Ready

• Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration
• VLN Deportation Preparedness Manual
• Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan - Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• Making Sure Your Family is Ready if You Get Deported
• We Have Rights videos
• Deportation Preparation Manual for Immigrant Families

The Department of Homeland Security is telling many refugees, U Visa, and VAWA immigrants they need to report for an ICE check-in. You must go to your check-in. BUT, even if you follow all the rules, you might be detained.

To get ready for this:

1. If you are working with a lawyer, call them before your check-in. They can make sure they have all the information and documents they need in case you are detained.
2. Get yourself and your family ready in case you are detained. Use these resources to prepare:
   • Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan - Immigrant Legal Resource Center
   • Making Sure Your Family is Ready if You Get Deported
      

If you don’t have a lawyer, call Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota at 1-800-223-1368 during these times:

• Monday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Tuesday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Wednesday: Temporarily Closed
• Thursday: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Read our fact sheet Your Rights to Record and Observe Law Enforcement.

If you think federal law enforcement violated your constitutional rights, you can report the incident to the Minnesota Attorney General using the Federal Action Reporting Form. The ACLU of Minnesota also has a form you can use if you think your rights were violated: Report unlawful conduct by Federal Agents to ACLU-MN.

MN State Bar Association Resources to Support the Rule of Law and Our Communities