Deportation Defense
ICE Detained a Family Member in Connecticut: What to Do First
If ICE Detained Your Family Member: What to Do First
If ICE has detained a family member in Connecticut, first locate them using the ICE Online Detainee Locator System with their A-number or full legal name. Do not sign any documents, including a voluntary departure or stipulated removal form, without speaking to an immigration attorney first. Then move quickly to gather documentation for a bond hearing, since custody decisions can move fast and deadlines are strict.
Quick Reference
- Locate a detainee: locator.ice.gov — search by A-number or name
- Minimum immigration bond: $1,500 under INA § 236(a) — judges commonly set higher amounts
- Custody/bond appeals to the BIA: No filing fee
- Connecticut has no ICE detention facility of its own — detainees are typically transferred out of state
- Hartford Immigration Court: A.A. Ribicoff Federal Building, 450 Main Street, Suite 628, Hartford, CT 06103
The hours after a family member is detained are disorienting, and decisions made in those first hours can affect the entire case. This guide walks through locating the person, understanding their rights, what to gather for a bond hearing, and how Connecticut's Trust Act does — and does not — protect immigrant families. If you need immediate help, contact our office or call (860) 938-1850.
How to Locate Someone Detained by ICE
ICE operates the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) at locator.ice.gov, a public tool that lets family members and attorneys search for someone in ICE custody 24 hours a day.
Two Ways to Search ODLS
- By A-Number. The 8- or 9-digit Alien Registration Number found on any prior DHS or immigration court correspondence. This is the fastest and most reliable search method.
- By full legal name and country of birth. ODLS performs an exact-match search, so you must enter the name exactly as it appears on the detention record, along with date of birth and country of citizenship.
A few important limitations: the locator system can take up to 48 hours to reflect a new arrest, and children under 18 arrested inside the United States generally do not appear in ODLS. If you cannot find the person after 48 hours, or if they were arrested at the border or a port of entry, you may need to call the local ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office directly.
Once you locate the detention record, it will show the facility name and location, the booking date, and — if scheduled — hearing information. Write down the A-number immediately; you will need it for every subsequent step, including hiring an attorney and requesting a bond hearing.
Where Connecticut ICE Detainees Are Typically Held
Connecticut does not have a dedicated ICE detention facility of its own. As a result, people arrested by ICE in Connecticut are commonly transferred to facilities in other New England states — Connecticut news organizations have reported that detainees from Connecticut are frequently held at regional facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and in some cases transferred much further, including to out-of-state processing centers in other parts of the country.
Why this matters for your case: An out-of-state transfer can change which immigration court has jurisdiction over the case, complicate visits and attorney access, and create urgency around requesting a bond hearing before a transfer occurs. If you learn a family member is about to be transferred, contact an attorney immediately — a pending bond motion or attorney appearance can sometimes affect transfer decisions.
Because facility assignments change based on capacity and ICE operational decisions, always confirm the current facility using the ODLS locator rather than relying on where the person was originally arrested. Regardless of the physical facility, removal proceedings for people arrested in Connecticut are generally heard at Hartford Immigration Court, located at the A.A. Ribicoff Federal Building, 450 Main Street, Suite 628, Hartford, CT 06103, though venue can sometimes change after a transfer.
Rights During ICE Detention
Right to Remain Silent
Your family member has the right not to answer questions about immigration status, place of birth, or how they entered the country. They can state clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent and I want to speak with my attorney."
Do Not Sign Anything
ICE officers may present documents such as a voluntary departure agreement, stipulated removal order, or waiver of rights. Signing these can result in immediate removal with no hearing. Do not sign anything without first speaking to an attorney, even if an officer says signing will make the process faster.
Right to an Attorney
Your family member has the right to be represented by an attorney at their own expense, and the right to a list of free or low-cost legal service providers. The government does not provide a free attorney in immigration proceedings, unlike in criminal court.
Right to a Phone Call
Detained individuals are generally permitted to make phone calls to family and to an attorney. If your family member has not been able to reach you, keep checking the ODLS locator for facility contact information.
A Family Member Was Detained by ICE?
Attorney M. Riaz Musani represents families across Connecticut in bond hearings and removal defense. Call (860) 938-1850 or schedule a consultation.
The First 72 Hours: A Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the person using ODLS at locator.ice.gov with their A-number, and write down the facility name and location.
- Contact an immigration attorney immediately. An attorney can enter an appearance, request the record of proceedings, and begin preparing a bond motion before a hearing is even scheduled.
- Instruct the detained family member not to sign anything and not to answer substantive questions without counsel present.
- Gather identity and family documents at home — birth certificates, marriage certificates, prior immigration filings, and any documents showing how long the person has lived in the U.S.
- Check whether a criminal history exists. Certain convictions trigger mandatory detention under INA § 236(c), which affects whether a bond hearing is even available — your attorney needs this information early.
- Begin assembling bond hearing evidence (see the checklist below) — the sooner this is ready, the sooner a bond motion can be filed.
- Confirm the immigration court with jurisdiction. For most Connecticut arrests this is Hartford Immigration Court, but a transfer to another state can change the venue — your attorney can confirm through the EOIR automated case information system.
Bond Hearings and Bond Amounts
If your family member is not subject to mandatory detention, they are generally entitled to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Under INA § 236(a), the statutory minimum bond is $1,500 — but immigration judges routinely set bond well above that minimum based on flight risk and danger to the community, particularly in cases with limited documentation of community ties.
At the bond hearing, the burden is on the detained person to show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are not a flight risk and not a danger to the community. Judges weigh factors including length of residence in the U.S., family ties, employment history, property ownership, prior immigration compliance, and criminal history (if any).
If bond is denied or set too high: Either side may appeal a bond decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and custody/bond appeals carry no filing fee. Learn more about the bond process on our bond hearings page.
Documents to Gather for the Bond Hearing
Strong bond packets are built on documentary evidence of community ties and stability. Start gathering the following as soon as possible:
Identity & Family Ties
- ✓ Birth certificates of U.S. citizen or LPR children
- ✓ Marriage certificate, if applicable
- ✓ Lease or mortgage documents showing CT residence
- ✓ Letters of support from family and community members
Stability & Character
- › Pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of employment
- › Proof of any pending immigration applications
- › Documentation of any medical or caregiving responsibilities
- › Any court records relevant to a criminal history, if applicable
An attorney can help identify which documents will carry the most weight for the specific judge and facts of the case, and can identify a bond sponsor if one is needed to demonstrate that funds are available if bond is granted.
Connecticut's Trust Act: What It Does and Does Not Do
Connecticut's Trust Act — codified at CGS § 54-192h and amended by Public Act 25-29, effective October 1, 2025 — limits when Connecticut state and local law enforcement may cooperate with civil ICE detainer requests. Generally, Connecticut police cannot hold someone beyond their scheduled release date solely because ICE asked, unless a judge has signed a warrant or the person has been convicted of a specific serious offense listed in the statute.
Important limitation: The Trust Act governs Connecticut state and local government actors. It does not bind federal agents. ICE officers retain full federal authority to make arrests, execute federal warrants, and detain individuals in Connecticut regardless of the Trust Act. If your family member was arrested directly by ICE agents — rather than held by local police on an ICE request — the Trust Act's protections generally do not apply to that arrest.
For a full breakdown of the statute, the 2025 amendments, and what protections do and do not apply, see our detailed guide: Connecticut Trust Act 2025: Full Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out where ICE is holding my family member?
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov. Search using the person's 8- or 9-digit A-number for the most reliable results, or their exact full legal name, date of birth, and country of citizenship. It can take up to 48 hours for a new arrest to appear in the system.
Does Connecticut have its own ICE detention facility?
No. Connecticut does not operate a dedicated ICE detention facility, so people arrested by ICE in Connecticut are typically transferred to facilities in other New England states or elsewhere. Always confirm the current location through the ODLS locator, since facility assignments can change, especially after an initial transfer.
What is the minimum immigration bond amount?
Under INA § 236(a), the statutory minimum bond an immigration judge may set is $1,500. In practice, judges commonly set bond well above the minimum based on the person's flight risk and any danger to the community, so the amount varies significantly case by case.
Does it cost money to appeal a bond decision to the BIA?
No. Custody and bond appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals do not require a filing fee, unlike appeals of a full removal order, which currently carry a filing fee under Form EOIR-26.
Should my family member sign documents ICE gives them?
Not without first speaking to an attorney. Documents such as voluntary departure agreements or stipulated removal orders can result in fast, irreversible removal from the United States with no hearing. Your family member has the right to remain silent and the right to consult an attorney before signing anything.
Does the Connecticut Trust Act stop ICE agents from making arrests?
No. The Trust Act (CGS § 54-192h, as amended by Public Act 25-29) limits cooperation by Connecticut state and local government actors with civil ICE detainer requests — it does not restrict federal ICE agents, who retain independent authority to make arrests and execute federal warrants in Connecticut.
How quickly should I hire an attorney after a detention?
As soon as possible. An attorney can enter an appearance, request the record of proceedings, evaluate whether mandatory detention applies, and begin building a bond packet before a hearing date is even set. Early involvement — ideally within the first 24 to 72 hours — gives your family the most options.
Need Help After an ICE Detention in Connecticut?
Attorney M. Riaz Musani handles bond hearings and deportation defense for families across Connecticut. Call (860) 938-1850 or schedule a consultation.
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general legal information about ICE detention procedures and Connecticut law. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is fact-specific, and detention and bond outcomes vary. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney promptly after a detention. For official information, see ice.gov/detain and justice.gov/eoir.