DISCLAIMER: RRFP began compiling the resources linked here in late January, 2025.

We wanted to build access to information for our community ASAP, but as the landscape continues to shift and change in real time, please be aware that some information shared here or on the linked pages may become outdated. We will do our best to update this page with new resources as we learn about them, and if & as we become aware of changes. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have concerns about anything listed here.

For a breakdown of the 2025 executive actions (and other more up-to-date policy resources), check out the Immigration Policy Explainer created by Black Alliance for Just Immigration.

This page was last edited on 5/25/26.

IMMIGRATION & DEPORTATION DEFENSE RESOURCES

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS / GENERAL RESOURCES

Know Your Rights & Avoid ICE

Hotlines & Helplines

    • National Detention & Abuse Reporting Hotline: the largest immigration detention hotline, connecting immigrants in detention to their family, resources, individualized case management, and abuse documentation support at no cost. Staffed by a team of highly trained multilingual and multicultural advocates across the country, this line is free and unmonitored.

      • For assistance from inside an ICE detention facility: dial 9233# from a facility phone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1pm-11pm EST.

      • For assistance locating detained loved ones / to complete an intake on behalf of someone currently in detention: call Family Support Line at 209-757-FREE (209-757-3733) Monday through Friday from 8am-2pm PT / 11am-5pm EST.

    • 24/7 ICE/Emergency Hotline: live confidential immigration/detention assistance in both English and Korean, call 1-844-500-3222.

      • Press 1 if it is an emergency (e.g. loved one has just been detained and I need to find them, ICE is at my door, etc.), or for support in Korean.

      • Press 2 if it is a non-emergency (e.g. question about know your rights, etc.). If there is no answer, please leave a detailed message and someone from the NAKASEC network will get back to you as soon as possible.

    • Hotline: call 240-314-1500 or 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free)

      • This is an automated federal court case information line run by the Department of Justice that is open 24/7.

      • You will need the detainee’s “A-Number” (A#, a unique nine-digit number assigned by the government to immigrants).

      • If you believe you or a loved one has been ordered deported by a judge, you can also confirm by calling this hotline or using the online search.

    • Criminal-Immigration Helpline: Call 212-725-6422 (warmline) or reach out via email to info@immdefense.org – please review the website first to ensure you share all the necessary intake info in your voicemail/email.

      • “IDP offers the following types of assistance to immigrants and their loved ones who are affected by the criminal system, including immigrants who have been arrested, ticketed, or convicted of a crime: Limited immigration legal advice and information, referrals for free immigration legal services, and referrals for private immigration attorneys.”

Navigating Detention &
Legal / Community Support Contacts

    • Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS): searchable federal database of adults in ICE custody.

      • You will need the A# (unique nine-digit number assigned by the government to immigrants) and country of birth or biographical information (full name, date of birth and country of origin).

      • “ICE policy requires that its systems be updated within 8 hours of the release, removal, or transfer of detainees,” but advocates have observed that it may take up to 48 hours.

      • TIP: Try different spellings and hyphenations when searching with biographical information. The system uses exact name search and also doesn’t read special characters like “accents.”

    • ERO Field Offices directory: “If you are unable to find the detainee using ODLS, you may contact the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the area where you believe the person's immigration case was initiated.”

      • Deportation officers will request a familiar relationship and/or a waiver from the detained person before providing information, so having relatives reach out may result in faster info.

      • NOTE: This step will put you in touch with ICE and they will then have your contact information on file – when possible, please ask an attorney or advocate to do this on your behalf!!!

    • How to defend your own case: ”self-help” advocacy resources for folks who are detained – a wide variety of info/materials that are applicable both during detention and after release.

    • Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP): folks involved with this project “operate organizing networks in regions throughout the United States, while connecting to the fight for Black liberation in our home countries”; they facilitate Deportation Defense, oversee the Malaika Network (“a national cohort of BLMP members who participate in extensive training on deportation defense and post-release support”), and have regional hubs based in California, Texas, and Minnesota.

    • Resources: “one-stop hub for trustworthy resources on DACA and all things immigration,” large library of resources for undocumented young people on a wide variety of topics.

LOCAL RESOURCES

    • ICE Raid Tip Hotline: call 1-888-214-6016 to report any ICE activity in Virginia or Maryland.

    • Legal Services: legal assistance/representation for issues with housing, eviction, employment & wage theft, and in some instances, “remote legal consultations for those at imminent risk of ICE detention and/or deportation.” Call the Legal Hotline at 1-866-765-2272 for more info, or 240-553-8970 if “you are facing imminent eviction.”

    • Community Programs: CASA is a regional advocacy organization that operates with a local membership model (open to folks who identify as immigrants or working class). They coordinate variety of programs benefitting their members and immigrant/working class communities broadly — more info on membership can be found here, and more info their programs is available in Spanish.

      • Adult ESOL Program: “learner-centered and participatory,” hosted as 4 week sessions for CASA members (this program is not free).

      • Citizenship Assistance Program: in partnership with volunteers through AmeriCorp, “CASA’s comprehensive citizenship initiative includes citizenship education, mentoring and interview preparation, application assistance, and post-naturalization support.” Contact Alexsandra Mendez at 571-421-3995 or amendez@wearecasa.org for more info.

        • Free Citizenship Clinic (legal assistance) for CASA members Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4pm (by appointment only) — call (571) 421-2211 for more info on requirements.

      • Health and Human Services Program: multilingual health hotline and medical interpreter program and mobile health clinics coordinated in partnership with Sentara (copay fee is optional, prescription fees are required). Complete Medical Assistance form on their website, call 571-421-2211 to connect with a Community Resource Navigator, or email VAhealth@wearecasa.org for more information.

      • Youth Leadership Development Programs: “CASA’s Youth Engagement and Leadership programs include Mi Espacio, Escalera and SPIRIT programs, after-school and in-school programs for immigrant and first-generation middle and high school students in Prince William and Fairfax county.”

        • Mi Espacio: “Offering a comprehensive curriculum, “Mi Espacio” includes academic instruction, ESOL, college and career preparation, health and wellness workshops, financial education, professional development, and mentoring.”

      • Free Tax Program: “CASA prepares income taxes for free at the Woodbridge office,” fill out their intake form on their website to schedule an appointment (translated versions available in Spanish and French).

    • Immigration Services: assistance navigating citizenship applications, family petitions, asylum, VISAs, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) & other victims of domestic violence, etc. – reach out to agency@cccofva.org. CCC oversees other community services (housing, food, mental health & wellbeing), including a refugee resettlement program in partnership with the Department of State, and interpreter services that support across “a range of fields including health care, social and legal services, schools, and more” in 35 languages (likely not free, email interpreter.services@cccofva.org for more info).

    • Community services: Virginia affiliate of the NAKASEC national network, they offer support programs in English and Korean, including: immigration legal services (and pro bono referrals), health access services, financial services, and community outreach/programming.
      “To make an appointment or to ask questions about the naturalization process or DACA renewals, contact Sejung Park (spark@hamkaecenter.org, 571-519-6939 TTY 711) or fill out the request form.”

    • La ColectiVA’s website: “La ColectiVA is an inclusive collaborative led by gente Latinx who are committed to upholding social justice and equity.”

    • Free Them All VA’s linktree: links to resources to learn about FTAVA’s work, hotline info flyers, guides for navigating detention in Virginia, and reports about organizing against local facilities.

    • Liberation Fund: Supports local families and community members impacted by the incarceration-to-deportation pipeline. “Each month, a detained person can request $50 in commissary funds, providing access to more humane food and hygiene products, and $25 for phone access, enabling them to remain in contact with family, legal support, and community members while they are inside.”

      • Be prepared to share details about your loved one’s detention (A number, facility, etc.) and potentially some personal info to receive support from this commissary fund. Reach out via email at freethemallva@protonmail.com.

    • Immigration resources: legal aid org with locations in Arlington, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Petersburg, Virginia; good resource for up to date local information, free open-door law school “clinics” for immigration legal support are also hosted throughout the year.

    • Rapid Response Toolkit: bilingual resource materials, written and recorded, for handling immigration emergencies.
      Appointment of Standby Guardian: for families in Virginia with instructions available in English and Spanish. “This form is to designate an adult to be a standby guardian of your minor child(ren) in the event you are detained, incarcerated, or deported in connection with immigration action. The purpose of this form is to ensure a child’s well-being if their primary caregiver is unable to provide care due to a triggering event like illness, accident, or legal issues.”

    • For pro bono immigration services / direct representation: bilingual general intake support request form – “our program only serves low-income clients. Applicants must meet income and financial requirements. Income is based on household income and can be affected by medical expenses, work expenses, and other factors. We accept clients of all immigration statuses and keep that information confidential (though we do need to ask). We also have translation services available in all languages upon request.”

    • Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid’s ICE Emergency Hotline: call 202-335-1183 to report “ICE activity anywhere” in the DC metro area.

      • “We collect that information and share it with our immigrant community so they can avoid the area and stay safe. We will be posting reports of ICE enforcement on our social media channels, and will provide resources to people that call our hotline looking for support.”

    • Legal support: “The Richmond Community Legal Fund is a nonprofit legal collaborative that connects community members with legal resources, both legal representation and necessary funds for legal defense.”

      • “We will be rolling out services in the coming months after our launch in April. Please sign up for the newsletter for updates.”

    • These folks are also active on Instagram, sharing local resources and coordinating fundraisers for community members who are facing immigration challenges, have been detained by ICE, or are dealing with the fallout of having family in ICE detention.

    • Adult Education Programs: Bilingual courses on ESL, GED, Citizenship Preparation, literacy, and more (in person and online).

    • Youth Programs: programs & support groups for young adults in Richmond who are navigating transition, interested in building community, art, academic enrichment (including support for parents), college & career prep, etc. Heavily facilitated through Richmond and Chesterfield Public Schools, but some programs appear to be open to other youth within designated age ranges.

    • Community Hub: programs/workshops coordinated in conjunction with other local community partners.
      Family Support Program: “Free health, career, and financial resources navigation, as well as case management, for individuals and families. Free voluntary case management for families call 804-230-4399 to start intake process.”
      Tax Services: “We offer free bilingual tax preparation services by appointment for individuals and families making less than $60,000 annual income from February-April. Please call 804-230-4399 to schedule your appointment.”
      Immigration Legal Services Program (formerly Family Protection Project): application here. “If you have difficulty completing the form, ask a family member or a friend to help you. If you still need assistance, call 804-837-0189 and leave a message with your complete name, phone number, and why you are calling. We will do our best to return your call within 2-3 business days to schedule an interview with our program assistant to help you complete the online application. The interview fee is $25. Save time and money by completing the application yourself.”

    • Greater DC Programs: pro bono legal / social services for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, including support with Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions and forced marriage protection, in Virginia, Maryland, and DC, with translation available in every language. Tahirih adopts an inclusive approach by including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, cisgender, and LGBTQIA+ as it defends their right to be free from gender-based violence. To request services call 571-282-6161 between 9:30am-5:00pm EST Monday through Friday, or email greaterdc@tahirih.org.