What Immigrants Need to Know about ICE Arrests in Chicago

An encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a deeply frightening experience that can disrupt lives and separate families. For immigrant communities across Chicago, the fear of an unexpected arrest is a constant source of anxiety. At Sverdloff Law Group, we understand your concerns. While we cannot eliminate the risk of an encounter, we can empower you with knowledge. Being prepared is the most powerful tool you have to protect yourself and your loved ones.

This blog provides actionable steps to help you navigate this stressful possibility. Your success is our mission, and that begins with ensuring you have the guidance to assert your rights with confidence.

Preparation Before an Encounter

The best way to manage a crisis is to prepare for it before it happens. Taking these proactive steps can provide critical stability and peace of mind for your family.

• Gather Important Documents: Keep all essential documents in a safe, accessible place. This includes passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, Green Cards, work permits, and any records of your immigration history. Make copies and give them to a trusted friend or family member.
• Create a Family Emergency Plan: Decide in advance who will care for your children. Write down emergency contact numbers, including family, friends, and an immigration attorney. Ensure your children know who to call and have a plan if you do not return home.
• Save for Legal Fees: An immigration case can be costly. If possible, set aside an emergency fund for potential legal fees and bond payments.
• Identify a Legal Representative: Do not wait until an arrest occurs. Find a trusted immigration law firm. Save their contact information in your phone and give it to your family.

Know Your Rights During an Encounter

If you are approached by ICE agents, what you do in that moment matters. Remember these fundamental rights.

• At Home: ICE agents cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. They may try to show you an administrative warrant, but this is not sufficient. Do not open your door. If they claim to have a warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window. A valid warrant will be signed by a judge and will list your address and the areas to be searched.
• In Public: You have the right to remain silent. You can state your name, but you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country. Anything you say can be used against you.
• Do Not Lie or Show False Documents: Never lie or present fraudulent documents to an ICE agent.
• The Right to an Attorney: You have the right to speak with an attorney. State clearly, “I wish to remain silent, and I want to speak with a lawyer.”

What to Do After an Arrest

If a loved one is detained by ICE in Illinois, acting quickly is crucial.

1. Do Not Panic: Stay calm and begin gathering information. Try to get the person’s full name, date of birth, and Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you know it.
2. Locate Your Loved One: Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System. You will need the person’s A-Number or their full name and country of birth. In Illinois, detainees are often held at facilities like the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility or the Pulaski County Detention Center before being transferred.
3. Contact an Immigration Attorney Immediately: This is the most important step. An experienced immigration lawyer can work to find your loved one, represent them at their bond hearing, and begin building a defense against deportation.

Your Immigration Ally in Chicago

Facing an ICE arrest is a terrifying ordeal, but you do not have to go through it alone. Sverdloff Law Group is here to be your trusted immigration ally, providing the assured guidance you need. Keep our contact information with your emergency documents. If you or a loved one needs help, contact us immediately for a consultation.