Activity from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has surged over the summer across the country, with Indiana at the center of a targeted operation in late August.
ICE didn’t publicly announce the enforcement push that ran Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 until Sept. 16, well after it ended. During that time 426 people were arrested across the state, but most of the operation was focused on the Indianapolis area.
Mirror Indy spoke with nonprofit leaders and immigration law experts to identify tips for people who have had a loved one detained.
Contact legal representation right away
Immigration courts can be complex and difficult to navigate. If someone you know is detained or facing deportation, contact legal representation right away.
“You really have no shot without an attorney,” said Stuart Mora, the executive director of Indiana Organizing Project. “It’s hard enough with an attorney.”
You should ask your lawyer what the chances of success are and what options are available.
If you don’t already have legal representation, you can find lawyers in the American Immigration Lawyers Association or National Immigration Legal Services directories. Many of these services are free or low cost. You can also ask a trusted friend if they have any recommendations.
You can locate a family or community member who has been detained by using ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System tool. To use this tool, you will need either:
- Someone’s nationality and alien registration number (A-Number)
- A person’s first name, last name, date of birth and country of origin
The system can only be used to locate people 18 or older and it can take a few days for someone’s information to show up in the system. If you need further assistance, Documented, a nonprofit newsroom in New York City dedicated to serving immigrant communities, created a guide on how to use the tool.
Once you’ve located the person you’ve been looking for, you can contact the facility about communication options and visits. Some facilities offer in person visits, while others only allow video calls.
Related
Resources for immigrants in Indianapolis
Plus, where to donate and what you can do to help.
What can people do to prepare?
Mora suggests people prepare for the worst case scenario.
If you have children, make sure they have valid passports. Emergency contact information at schools or daycare centers should also be up to date. It is also important to have a plan for who will take care of your children if you are deported or detained. The Immigrant Defense Project has created a family emergency plan template you can fill out (Spanish version). The Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s website also has step-by-step guides for creating a family preparedness plan in multiple languages.
Having a power of attorney form signed and notarized will make it easier for someone else to manage finances, oversee medical care and take care of dependents.
The National Immigrant Law Center has created a resource guide with tips on what to do if you have been detained. That guide also includes a list of documents you should carry with you.
For example, the law center suggests you should carry important information like numbers for trusted family or friends, contact information for your lawyer and contact information for your child’s school. You should also carry copies of documents related to your status in the U.S., like a green card, work permit or visa. Don’t carry documents from another country, like a passport, because law enforcement can use that information against you.
Be aware of fraud
The National Immigration Justice Center has compiled a list of tips to avoid immigration fraud.
Do not pay for an attorney unless you can verify they are licensed. The license status of Indiana attorneys can be searched on the Indiana Judicial Branch website. You should also not pay people who are not attorneys to do legal work or pay people outside of the country to do legal work in the United States.
Review all documents before you sign them and do not sign any blank forms. Ask for copies for all documentations. You should also be cautious of advertisements for quick immigration help.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
