These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Stay calm and find out what happened
You can ask"Has someone already been picked up, or are you afraid it could happen?"
You can ask"Are there children or anyone at home who need care right now?"
You can say"Everyone is welcome here, no matter where they are from. Let's take this one step at a time."
If a child is left alone, or anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911.
2Find a person who was detained
Use the free ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov.
Search by A-number (the 8 or 9 digit number on immigration papers) and country of birth. Or search by full name, country of birth and date of birth.
A new name can take a day or two to show up. People are often moved. Check each day.
The locator does not show children under 18 or people held by Border Patrol. If you can't find them, call the ICE office that covers New Mexico.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - El Paso Field Office
Find a detained person or ask about a case (covers New Mexico)
915-225-1901
11541 Montana Ave, Suite E, El Paso
Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso
Mexican passports, matrícula consular ID, birth records and protection help
915-533-3644
910 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso · Mon-Fri, about 8am-5pm (call to confirm)
New Mexico Migra Watch Hotline (NM Dream Team)
Immigrant hotline: report ICE activity or get legal referral
1-844-363-1423
· Call; hours not published
3Get trusted legal help fast
A lawyer can tell the family if the person can ask for bond, and what to do next. Call right away.
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
Free and low-cost immigration legal services
915-544-5126
1500 E Yandell Dr, El Paso · Hotline reported Mon-Thu 9am-4pm Mountain (call to confirm)
Estrella del Paso (formerly Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services)
Free immigration legal services
915-532-3975
2400 E Yandell Dr, El Paso
New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
Free and low-cost immigration legal help
505-247-1023
625 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque · Statewide phone/online; call for consultation days
Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico - Legal Services Program
Immigration legal services
575-527-0500
2215 S. Main St., Suite B, Las Cruces · Mon-Fri approx. 9am-4:30pm, closed noon-1pm (third-party listing)
U.S. Department of Justice - Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
Immigration court hearing date hotline
1-800-898-7180
· 24/7
You can say"Only a lawyer or an accredited representative can give immigration legal advice. A notario or immigration consultant cannot."
New Mexico Department of Justice (Attorney General) - Consumer Protection
Consumer complaints: scams, debt collectors, predatory lenders, bad landlords
505-490-4060
· Statewide phone/online; weekday business hours
4Know your rights (everyone in the U.S. has them)
You have the right to stay silent. You can say: "I want to remain silent. I want to talk to a lawyer."
You do not have to open the door unless they show a warrant signed by a judge. Ask them to slide it under the door. An ICE form signed only by an ICE officer is not a judge's warrant.
Do not sign anything without talking to a lawyer first.
Do not lie, do not show false papers, and do not run or fight.
Keep a lawyer's or legal group's phone number with you. Learn it by heart.
NM CAFe (NM Comunidades en Accion y de Fe)
Know-your-rights info and community organizing (immigrant families)
526 S. Alameda Blvd., Las Cruces
5Make a family plan now
Choose a trusted adult to care for the children. Tell the school and child care who may pick them up.
In New Mexico a parent can sign a notarized power of attorney that lets a trusted adult care for a child for up to six months. Ask a legal group for help with the form.
Keep copies of key papers with someone you trust: birth certificates, passports, A-numbers, immigration papers, medicine lists and the lawyer's number.
At the Gospel MissionOur vital documents help can help get birth certificates and IDs. Ask staff.
You can say"Children born in the U.S. are citizens. That does not change if a parent is detained."
6Help the family at home
At the Gospel MissionBreakfast and lunch on weekdays, the food pantry, clothing and hygiene kits are here for the family.
At the Gospel MissionThe case worker can help with benefits for children who qualify, and with rent or bill help.
At the Gospel MissionPeer support counselors are here to listen. Prayer is offered only if wanted.
More help like this
Just got out of jail or prisonUse when someone was released from jail or prison in the last few days and needs a place to sleep, food, ID, medicine and to check in with probation or parole.Has a court date, a warrant, or needs legal helpUse when someone has a court date, thinks they may have a warrant, owes court fines, or needs a lawyer for a criminal or civil problem.A loved one is in jail or prisonUse when a family member is in jail or prison and the family wants to visit, send money, or needs help while they're gone.Needs a lawyer for divorce, custody, child support or a protection orderUse when someone needs help with divorce, custody, visitation, child support, guardianship, or a protection order.Needs immigration help or speaks little EnglishUse when someone has immigration questions, a hearing, needs papers, or needs help in Spanish or another language.Wants to clear (expunge) a criminal recordUse when an arrest or conviction record keeps someone from jobs or housing and they want to see if it can be cleared (expunged), or need a copy of their record.
See all guides in Court, jail and re-entry →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.