Finding Detained Immigrants
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Finding Detained Immigrants
How Can I Find Out if My Friend or Family Member is Detained?
ICE will not notify anyone after they pick up an immigrant. You will have to call the detention centers in your area. When you call, you will need to provide the detained person’s date of birth.
We have listed the detention centers in Southeastern Wisconsin below. You can also use ICE’s locator system online.
Southeastern Wisconsin Detention Centers
The following detention centers are within the Catholic Charities Milwaukee service area, however, there is a chance your loved one will be somewhere else. You can find a full list of all United States immigrant detention centers on ICE’s website.
Once you know where your loved one is detained, visit their detention center’s website to find information about: how to send money to detainees; how to visit them; directions; and how to contact detainees.
What if I Can't Find My Loved One at one of the Detention Centers?
If your loved one has a previous Order of Removal, he or she might not get a hearing before an immigration judge. Sometimes, but not often, you may be able to reopen an old case. This is very technical and you will need the help of an experienced lawyer to reopen an old case.
Do not wait to reopen an Order of Removal case until you or your loved one is already detained. You should start this process long before ICE is looking for you. Start by finding a good immigration lawyer if you don’t already have one. You want to prepare your case as soon as possible because there is a risk that ICE will deport your loved one again before you get to reopen the old case. Even though this can be really unpleasant to think about, don’t procrastinate! Ignoring your problems will not make them go away!
Immigration Court
Chicago Detained Immigration Court
For immigrants in the Catholic Charities Milwaukee service area, the immigration court you will use is in Chicago:
101 W Congress Parkway
Chicago, IL 60605
Visiting Immigration Court
The first time you go to the Chicago detained immigration court can be confusing so give yourself plenty of time to find your way around. When you enter 101 W Congress Parkway, follow the sign to your left that says, “U.S. Passports”. You will then walk down a glass corridor. As you pass through it, the main lobby will be on your right and windows facing the street will be on your left. When you come to the end of the corridor, look to your right and you will see guards and the metal detectors at security.
Before you pass through security, you will need to turn off your phone, take off your shoes, and remove any large jewelry. You cannot bring food or unsealed beverages past security.
After you pass security, the guard will direct you to the elevator. Take it to the third floor to find the court’s office and the court clerk. The court is difficult to find. Look for a small sign on your left that says “Executive Office for Immigration Review”. Some hearings are in the basement and some are on the third floor. Ask the court clerk how to sign in and which court your hearing will be in.
Will My Loved One Be at the Hearing?
For a first hearing, also called a master calendar hearing, the immigrant in removal will not physically be there. He or she will be in the detention facility and appear on a television screen. However, for the final hearing, the client will usually be at the immigration court.
DON'T BRING CHILDREN
If you have small children, it is best not to bring them to court. These hearings can be really distressing and hard for them. If you have the option, please consider not bringing children to court.
Seek the Help of a Good Lawyer
We Can't Stress This Enough
If your family member or friend has been picked up by ICE and he or she does not already have an immigration attorney, you will want to find one as soon as possible. Our lawyer shopping guide can help you find a good immigration attorney who will give you an honest assessment of your case.
Statistics
Detained Immigrants with Lawyers are:
Additional Resources
One of the most common deportation defenses is called cancellation of removal, but if you are undocumented, your specific requirements will differ from those of lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and citizens who naturalized.
Green card holders, or lawful permanent residents, can be deported for both minor and serious criminal convictions. First we will discuss what crimes can put a green card holder in deportation, then we will talk about how you can sometimes fix the problem.
If you are at risk for being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) you need to prepare yourself now. Making arrangements ahead of time will save you and your family a lot of stress if you ever become detained.