What Can I Do If ICE Detains My Brother in Utah?
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
My brother is currently in ICE custody. Immigration officers were at his house waiting for him.
My brother got arrested in front of his house by immigration officers. He does have a history of getting arrested in the border when he was trying to cross over to US by ice as well.
Attorney Answer
If your brother is in ICE custody, the most important immediate steps are to confirm where he is being held and to get an immigration attorney involved as soon as possible.
You can locate a detained family member using the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, which requires his full name, country of birth, and date of birth, or his alien registration (A) number if you have it. Facility staff can also confirm booking information once he is logged into the system.
Under 8 U.S.C. § 1226, most people held by ICE while a removal case is pending have a right to seek release on bond from an immigration judge, though this is not automatic and depends heavily on his specific immigration history. He also has the right to be represented by an attorney, but unlike in criminal court, the government does not provide one for free. This makes contacting an immigration attorney quickly especially important, since bond hearings and filing deadlines move fast.
Given his history of prior contact with immigration authorities at the border, his case may be more complicated. A prior removal or expedited removal order can affect whether he is eligible for a bond hearing at all, and in some cases can lead to reinstatement of a prior removal order rather than a new case before an immigration judge. This is exactly the kind of detail an immigration attorney needs his full record to evaluate properly.
What you can do right now: 1. Look up his location using the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (locator.ice.gov). 2. Ask the facility how he can contact you and how you can add funds for phone calls if needed. 3. Gather any documents related to his immigration history, including prior court paperwork or notices. 4. Contact a licensed immigration attorney as soon as possible. Many offer free or low-cost initial consultations and can move quickly to protect his options. 5. If he receives a Notice to Appear, note every date on it. Missing a scheduled hearing can lead to an order of removal issued without him being present under 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5).
This is general legal information, not legal advice. An immigration lawyer licensed in Utah can review your brother's specific history and advise on the best path forward for his case.
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Federal Immigration Resources
- Visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to check case status, forms, and official immigration guidance.
- Visit Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to find immigration court information and hearing details.
- Visit ImmigrationLawHelp.org to find nonprofit immigration legal-service providers near you.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out where my brother is being held by ICE?
You can search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System using his full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth, or his A-number if you have it. The facility can also confirm his booking status once you provide identifying information.
Can my brother get released on bond while his case is pending?
Many people held by ICE can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge, but eligibility depends on factors like his immigration history and any prior removal orders. An immigration attorney can review his record and request a hearing if he qualifies.
Does my brother have a right to a free lawyer in immigration proceedings?
No. Immigration proceedings are civil, not criminal, so the government is not required to provide a free attorney. He has the right to hire his own attorney or represent himself, which makes contacting a lawyer as soon as possible important.
