If You or a Family Member Is Detained by Immigration
What to do. What to say. How to get help.
PAart 1: If Law Enforcement Stops You
Stay calm. You have rights.
★ Know Your Rights — A Quick Reminder
- You have the right to stay silent. You do not have to answer questions.
- You have the right to say NO to a search of your home, car, or belongings — unless they have a signed court order.
- You do NOT have to open your door unless they show you a signed court warrant.
- You have the right to speak with a lawyer.
For more details, visit our full Know Your Rights page: Know Your Rights
Part 2: If You Are Taken and Detained
If an officer takes you and says you are detained, here is what to do:
- Stay calm. Do not fight back.
- Say you want to speak to a lawyer. Do not answer other questions.
- Do not sign anything. Officers may ask you to sign papers. Wait until a lawyer says it is okay.
- Remember the name of the officer or the agency (like ICE) if you can.
- Tell them if you have a child who depends on you. This is important for your case.
- Tell them if you have health problems that need care.
- Ask where you are being taken so your family can find you.
⚠ Missouri Law: In Missouri, you have the right to make a phone call after you are detained. You can call a family member, a lawyer, or an organization that can help you.
Part 3: If a Family Member Is Detained
If someone in your family is taken by immigration officers, follow these steps:
- Do not panic. Stay safe. Your family needs you to be calm.
- Write down everything you know: the time, where it happened, what the officers looked like, what they said, and what agency they were from (ICE, Border Patrol, etc.).
- Call a lawyer or legal aid organization right away. Do not wait.
- Do not call ICE yourself to ask questions — this can sometimes cause more problems.
- Find out where they are being held. You can call the ICE detainee locator (see resources below).
- Do not share information about your family member on social media.
- If there are children at home without a parent, make sure they are safe and cared for.
Detainee Locator
Use the ICE online detainee locator to find out where they are being held:
You will need their first name, last name, and country of birth, or an A-number and country of birth.
Case Information
ACIS provides basic information about the status of certain cases before an immigration court or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
You will need their A-number and country of birth.
Missouri Immigration Legal Services
You don’t have to face this alone. Nonprofit legal service organizations across Missouri can help with immigration cases, questions, and court proceedings — often at little or no cost.