An encounter with immigration enforcement is frightening, and the choices made in the first hours can shape everything that follows. Knowing your rights ahead of time — and having a plan — can protect you and your family. This guide explains what to do if you or a loved one is detained by ICE.
If you or a family member has been detained in the Fort Worth area, an experienced Fort Worth Immigration Attorney can act quickly to protect your rights and seek release.
What rights do I have during an ICE encounter?
Everyone in the United States, regardless of immigration status, has certain basic rights. You generally have the right to remain silent and to decline to answer questions about your immigration status or country of birth. You have the right to speak with a lawyer, and the right to decline to sign documents you don’t understand. You do not have to open your door unless officers show a warrant signed by a judge.
The Piri Law Firm, located at 4200 South Fwy in Fort Worth, TX 76115, helps individuals and families respond to enforcement through its ICE arrest and deportation defense services.
What should I do if I’m detained?
Stay calm and do not resist, even if you believe the stop is unfair. Avoid signing anything — especially documents that could waive your rights or amount to agreeing to leave the country — until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Ask to contact a lawyer, and give your family a way to reach your attorney. The decisions you avoid making alone can be as important as the ones you make.
How does my family find me after an arrest?
Family members can search the official ICE Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov using your alien registration number (“A-number”) or biographical details. It helps to prepare in advance: keep your A-number, important documents, and an attorney’s contact information somewhere your family can find them.
Can I be released from detention?
Possibly. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for release on bond while your case proceeds, or — in certain unlawful-detention situations — relief through a habeas corpus petition. Eligibility depends on factors such as immigration and criminal history. An attorney can evaluate the fastest appropriate path to seek release.
How should my family prepare a plan?
Families can reduce panic by preparing ahead: memorizing or safely storing key phone numbers, designating someone to care for children, keeping copies of important documents, and knowing which attorney to call. Having a plan means that if enforcement happens, your family can act immediately instead of scrambling. You can review related options among the firm’s immigration practice areas.
Why work with a local Fort Worth firm?
In enforcement situations, speed and accessibility matter. The Piri Law Firm emphasizes personalized attention so you’re never just a case number, a commitment to keeping families together, and clear communication so you always know where the case stands. The South Freeway office serves clients throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
How do I get started?
If you or a loved one is detained, time matters. To schedule a consultation with The Piri Law Firm, call (817) 381-0244 or visit 4200 South Fwy, Fort Worth, TX 76115.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to answer questions about my immigration status? Generally, you have the right to remain silent and may decline to answer questions about your status or country of birth. You can say you wish to speak with a lawyer.
Do I have to open my door if immigration officers come to my home? Generally not unless they present a warrant signed by a judge. You can ask them to show a warrant through the door or window.
How do I find a family member ICE has detained? Use the official ICE Online Detainee Locator System with the person’s A-number or biographical information. An attorney can help if you can’t locate them.
Does the firm serve Spanish-speaking clients? Yes. The firm exclusively serves the Latin community and provides guidance in a culturally familiar, accessible way.
How much does it cost to handle an ICE detention case? Fees depend on the situation, including whether bond or court proceedings are involved. A consultation is the best way to understand the cost for your case.
This article is general information, not legal advice. The Piri Law Firm | Attorney Michael Piri (Texas Bar No. 24096771) | 4200 South Fwy, Fort Worth, TX 76115 | (817) 381-0244
