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Office of New Americans

Immigration Detention Help

The Delaware Office of New Americans (ONA) works with community organizations, legal service providers, and Delaware’s federal congressional delegation to help individuals and families understand available resources and identify the appropriate organization to contact.

Visit our Know Your Rights page to learn about your rights when interacting with immigration authorities.

If you are approached, arrested, or detained by immigration authorities:

  • You have the right to remain silent.
  • You may ask to speak with an attorney.
  • Do not sign documents you do not understand.
  • Ask for an interpreter if you do not understand the documents or questions being presented to you.
  • If possible, remember or write down your A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and provide it to a trusted family member.
  • You may ask to contact your country’s consulate.
  • Tell your attorney or the appropriate officials about any urgent medical conditions, medications, caregiving responsibilities, or other emergency circumstances.

Immigration proceedings are different from criminal proceedings. If you are detained by ICE, the federal government generally is not required to provide you with an attorney at government expense.

Support for Families Impacted by ICE

If you or your family has been impacted by an ICE arrest, detention, deportation, or other immigration enforcement action, community assistance may be available. These organizations help connect affected families with resources and support during times of crisis.

Sussex County — Sussex HELP
Sussex HELP supports immigrant families in Sussex County experiencing a crisis due to the detention or deportation of a family provider. Assistance may include support with essential needs such as food, clothing, housing, and other immediate needs.

Kent County — Kent HELP
Kent HELP supports immigrant individuals and families in Kent County who have been impacted by immigration enforcement.

New Castle County — New Castle HELP
New Castle HELP is a volunteer-driven effort supporting immigrant families in New Castle County experiencing temporary or acute crises.

1. Gather Information

Try to collect as much information as possible about the person who was detained:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Country of birth
  • A-Number, if available
  • Date and location where the person was detained
  • Agency involved, if known
  • Any information about where the person was taken
  • Copies of immigration documents
  • Information about upcoming immigration or court proceedings
  • Information about medical conditions or other urgent circumstances

Do not provide false information or submit documents you know to be inaccurate.

2. Locate the Individual

Family members and legal representatives may use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System to search for an individual in ICE custody.

An A-Number and country of birth are generally the easiest way to search. A person may also be searched for using biographical information.

If someone was recently detained, their information may not immediately appear in the system.

3. Contact a Qualified Immigration Attorney or Legal Services Organization

Legal assistance should be sought as quickly as possible.

An immigration attorney or qualified legal service provider can evaluate the person’s individual circumstances, determine what proceedings may be underway, communicate with immigration authorities when appropriate, and advise the individual or family about possible legal options.

Do not rely on unlicensed immigration consultants or “notarios” for legal

How Delaware’s Support Network Can Help

The below Delaware-based organizations and agencies have different responsibilities that can assist you.

Community Organizations and Legal Service Providers

Community organizations are often the first point of contact for families seeking help. Depending on the organization and available services, they may:

  • Help locate a detained individual;
  • Connect families with qualified immigration attorneys or legal service providers;
  • Help gather important information and documents; and
  • Provide language assistance and other community support.

Qualified legal service providers and immigration attorneys can provide legal advice, evaluate an individual’s immigration case, and determine what legal options may be available. Click here for a list of community based organizations and qualified legal providers.

Office of New Americans

The Delaware Office of New Americans (ONA) helps individuals and families navigate available resources and connects them with the appropriate organizations for assistance.

ONA may:

  • Connect families with trusted community and legal resources;
  • Help identify the appropriate organization or government office to contact;
  • Coordinate referrals among community partners and service providers; and
  • Connect individuals and families with Delaware’s federal congressional delegation when federal casework assistance may be appropriate.

ONA does not provide legal representation or make decisions regarding immigration detention, release, or immigration status.

Delaware’s Congressional Delegation

Because immigration enforcement is handled by the federal government, Delaware’s U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative have constituent services teams that may be able to assist with inquiries involving federal immigration agencies.

Depending on the circumstances, congressional offices may:

  • Make an inquiry with ICE or another federal agency;
  • Request information about a constituent’s case or detention;
  • Communicate urgent or humanitarian circumstances to the appropriate federal agency; and
  • Help constituents navigate communication with federal agencies.

Congressional offices cannot guarantee someone’s release, change an immigration decision, or replace the role of an immigration attorney. Individuals may also be required to complete a privacy release before a congressional office can make a case-specific inquiry.

Click here to contact Delaware’s congressional delegation members.

Need Help?

If you or a loved one has been detained and you do not know where to begin, contact us. ONA can help identify appropriate community, legal, and government resources. If you need legal advice, you should speak directly with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited legal services provider.

The Delaware Office of New Americans provides general information and referrals. Information on this page is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.