What to Do If a Family Member Was Detained by ICE in Virginia: An Emergency Guide

Last Updated: June 2026

If you are reading this because ICE just detained a loved one, you are probably feeling scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. There are concrete steps you can take right now to help, and you are not alone. The first hours matter, but acting calmly and in the right order can make a real difference in your family member’s case.

This guide walks you through, step by step, how to locate the detained person, what happens after the detention, how immigration bond works, what your loved one’s rights are, and which mistakes you must NOT make.

1. Locate your family member as soon as possible

The first thing is to find out where they are. ICE has an official online system to locate detained people: the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.

You can search in two ways:

• By “A-Number”: this is the 9-digit immigration identification number. If the number you have is shorter, add zeros at the beginning until it reaches nine digits. This is the fastest and most reliable method.
• By biographical information: exact first and last name, country of birth, and date of birth.

Keep two important things in mind:

• A person usually appears in the system after about 48 hours in ICE custody. If your first search returns nothing, wait a few hours and try again.
• Records of people under 18 cannot be searched in the system.

If you cannot locate them online, you can call the ICE detention information line at (888) 351-4024 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time). For general ICE inquiries available 24/7, call (866) 347-2423. In the Virginia area, many detained people are taken to the Farmville Detention Center (508 Waterworks Rd, Farmville, VA), whose information line is (434) 395-8114.

Confirm these phone numbers and addresses on the official ICE page before acting, as they can change.

Write down the A-Number as soon as you have it: you will need it for everything, locating them if transferred, paying bond, and filing documents in court. Transfers between facilities are common and can make it seem as if your family member “disappears” from the system for a few hours.

2. What happens after the detention

After the detention, the case enters the immigration system. In most cases, the government issues a document called a Notice to Appear (NTA), which is the formal document that begins removal proceedings before an immigration judge.

From there, your family member will normally have a first hearing before a judge (called a master calendar hearing), where options such as bond, electronic monitoring, or continuation of the case are evaluated. Not everyone follows the same path: the outcome depends on their immigration history, whether they have a record, and the defenses available. That is why it is so important for an attorney to review the case as soon as possible.

It also helps to know that the person may be transferred from one facility to another, sometimes even to another state, depending on available space. These transfers can delay communication and change the immigration court that will hear the case. Keeping the A-Number and your attorney’s contact details on hand will help you stay on track if this happens.

It is important to understand that being detained does not mean deportation is automatic or immediate. For many people, real defenses exist, such as bond to be released during the process, or substantive defenses before the judge (asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, among others). What determines the options is not the fear of the moment, but the specific facts of the case, and that is exactly what an attorney will evaluate.

3. Immigration bond

Bond allows your family member to be released while their case continues. Who sets it depends on the case: in many cases an immigration judge decides it; in certain cases an ICE officer can set it.

To decide whether to grant bond and at what amount, the judge weighs mainly two factors: that the person is not a flight risk (that they will return to their hearings) and that they are not a danger to the community. This is where an attorney can present evidence, such as letters of support, proof of employment, a lease or mortgage, and children’s school records, to argue for release.

About paying the bond:

• Generally, the person paying must be 18 or older and have lawful status (citizen or lawful permanent resident).
• You do not need to be in the same state as the detention center to pay it.
• If a bond is granted but you cannot afford it, there are nonprofit organizations that help cover immigration bonds in full or in part.

Preparing for the bond hearing makes a difference. Gathering documents ahead of time that show your family member’s ties to the community, such as time living in the area, steady employment, family who depends on them, and lack of a record, helps the attorney build a strong argument that the person will return to their hearings and is not a danger. The more organized evidence you provide from the start, the faster your attorney can act.

4. Your loved one’s rights

Even while detained, your family member has rights. It helps to know them and to remind them if you manage to speak:

• The right to remain silent. They are not required to answer questions about their country of origin or immigration status.
• The right to an attorney. Immigration court does not provide a free court-appointed lawyer, but they have the right to be represented by an attorney at their own expense. The sooner you hire one, the sooner work on release can begin.
• The right not to sign documents they do not understand. This is crucial: they should never sign anything without knowing exactly what it is, especially documents that could amount to accepting voluntary departure or giving up the right to defend themselves before a judge.

5. What NOT to do

In the middle of the distress, it is easy to make mistakes that hurt the case. Avoid these:

• Do not let your family member sign any documents without speaking to an attorney first. Signing a voluntary departure or a waiver without legal advice can close off defenses that actually existed.
• Do not lie or submit false documents to ICE or in court: the consequences can be very serious.
• Do not turn to “notarios” or anyone promising results. In the U.S., a “notary public” is not a lawyer. Only a licensed attorney can legally represent your family member.
• Do not wait. Time matters. The sooner you act, locate them, get the A-Number, and contact an attorney, the more options you will have.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit my family member at the detention center? Generally yes, but each facility has its own visitation rules, hours, and ID requirements. Confirm the facility’s rules before going.

How long does the bond process take? It depends on the facility, the court’s caseload, and each case. An attorney can request a bond hearing and give you a more realistic estimate based on your situation.

What if they are transferred to another state? It is common. That is why the A-Number is so important: with it you can locate them again in the ICE system even if they change facilities.

Can my family member be deported without seeing a judge? In some cases there are expedited processes, but in many others the person has the right to appear before an immigration judge. They should not sign anything waiving that right without talking to an attorney first.

How much does an immigration bond cost? The amount is set by the judge based on the case and can vary widely. If you cannot afford it, ask your attorney about organizations that help with bonds.

If ICE detained your loved one, the time to act is now

Having ICE detain a loved one is terrifying, but you can help: locate them with the A-Number, understand what comes next, explore bond, remind them of their rights, and avoid the mistakes that close doors. And, above all, do not handle the legal side alone: the sooner an attorney steps in, the more options your family member will have.

At Law Group International, attorneys Khalid Shekib and Daniela Lucena represent families with detained loved ones throughout Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland, including cases at the Farmville Detention Center and the Arlington Immigration Court.

 

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is different, and the law may change. ICE and detention-center contact details may vary; verify them through official sources. For guidance on your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

 

Official sources:

• ICE Online Detainee Locator System: https://locator.ice.gov/
• Farmville Detention Center, ICE: https://www.ice.gov/detain/detention-facilities/farmville-detention-center
• How to find a detained family member, CBP: https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1706?language=en_US

Last updated: June 2026.