When the situation gets tense, knowing how to alert contacts if ICE detains you can make the difference between facing the process alone or with your family’s support.
At Curbelo Law, our New Jersey immigration attorneys are ready to respond quickly and protect your rights from the very first minute. We help you create a preventive legal plan and be prepared for any raid or immigration detention.
On this page
What to do and how to alert contacts if ICE detains you
During an immigration enforcement operation, every second counts. One practical way to prepare is to set up your phone to send a message with your location to trusted people.
If you use an iPhone
- Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.
- Add these actions: “Get Current Location“, “Get Maps URL“, and “Send Message“.
- Customize the message. For example: “ICE detained me. This is my location,” and choose the contacts who will receive the alert.
- Check whether you can run the shortcut with Siri so you can send the message in seconds when you need it.
If you have Android
- Check whether your device already includes the Google Personal Safety app, or go to Settings, Safety & emergency.
- Open the app and set up your emergency contacts.
- Enable “Emergency SOS” in the Safety & emergency settings.
- Test how your device responds. On some models, pressing the power button five times or more shares your real-time location, triggers an alert, or starts other emergency actions, depending on your settings.
Other apps that may be helpful:
- Speed Dial Widget: Adds a visible button on your home screen so you can contact a trusted person instantly.
- Red Panic Button: With one tap, it sends a text message or email with your location to multiple contacts at the same time.
Why is it smart to have an alert system?
ICE detentions can happen without warning. That’s why having an alert system on your phone can make a meaningful difference.
In these situations, alert systems matter because if ICE detains a lawful permanent resident with a Green Card, it helps for your family and your attorney to know as soon as possible. That allows them to:
- Secure legal help from the very beginning.
- Activate an emergency plan if you care for minors or dependents.
- Help you better protect your rights.
- Notify family members, friends, or your attorney right away.
What should I do if I witness an ICE detention?
If there is a risk of a raid or an immigration detention, it helps to prepare in advance:
- Record video or take photos of what is happening, as long as you do not interfere with the officers’ actions.
- Write down the time, location, vehicle license plates, and any visible identifying information from the officers.
- Do not physically interfere with the operation, but stay nearby and observe carefully.
- Notify the detained person’s family immediately.
- Contact legal or community organizations that can provide support. Store the evidence you collected (videos, photos, notes) in a safe place.
Proper I-9 compliance is key for employers and workers in the face of ICE detentions and raids.
What to do before a possible raid or detention
If you believe there is a real risk of a raid or immigration detention, preparing ahead of time can make all the difference:
- Have a family plan in place in case you are separated.
- Arrange temporary custody of your children when necessary.
- Organize a folder with your important documents.
- Keep copies of your immigration and identity documents.
- Keep emergency contacts handy, including family members and attorneys.
- Review powers of attorney or authorizations that allow others to make decisions on your behalf if you are unavailable.
For more information on this topic, feel free to read our article: What to do during an ICE raid or I-9 audit
Additional tips to alert contacts if ICE detains you
Setting up your phone is a solid first step, but to make sure everything works under pressure, it helps to reinforce it with practical habits:
- Memorize your attorney’s phone number or write it down somewhere physical, outside of your phone.
- Upload digital copies of your important documents to the cloud and share them with a trusted person.
- Explain to your emergency contacts how your alert system works so they know how to respond when they receive your message.
- Try to keep your phone charged and, when possible, with mobile data or Wi-Fi available.
How can Curbelo Law help you during an ICE detention?
You are now better prepared to alert contacts if ICE detains you. At Curbelo Law, we provide immediate legal assistance to people detained by ICE and guidance for their families.
We evaluate your situation, help you prepare, and act quickly in response to any raid or detention. In urgent cases, having an immigration attorney for habeas corpus can be decisive to review the legality of the detention and speed up the legal response.
If you are facing an immigration detention in New Jersey, it is also important to act as soon as possible to:
- Locate the detained person.
- Gather key documents.
- Define the most appropriate strategy for the case.
Contact us for personalized guidance and learn how to use your phone as an alert tool in an emergency.
