If you or someone you know is facing the harsh reality of ICE detention, the first step is understanding your rights and seeking help. We’ve compiled a list of 30+ essential resources—from legal defense groups to advocacy organizations—dedicated to supporting those affected by the immigration detention system. Don’t wait for change—be the change. Dive in, arm yourself with information, and let’s stand together for justice and dignity.
1. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Immigrants’ Rights
The ACLU advocates for the rights of immigrants, including those detained by ICE. The site provides resources, legal guides, and updates on important litigation.
Website: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights
2. Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Provides training, resources, and publications to legal professionals and advocates working with immigrant detainees. Offers guides and tools for understanding detention and deportation law.
Website: https://www.ilrc.org/
3. Detention Watch Network
A national coalition focused on reforming the immigration detention system, offering advocacy, research, and updates on legal rights and detention conditions.
Website: https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/
4. Freedom for Immigrants
Provides legal resources, support, and a national network of visitation programs for people detained by ICE. Offers guides for detainees and advocates.
Website: https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/
5. National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
Provides free or low-cost legal services to immigrants, including detained persons, and advocates for immigrant justice. Offers resources and legal advice.
Website: https://www.immigrantjustice.org/
6. American Immigration Council
This nonprofit organization advocates for fair immigration policies and provides legal resources, reports, and updates on ICE detention and immigrants’ rights.
Website: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/
7. Immigrant Defense Project (IDP)
Focuses on defending immigrants in the criminal justice system, including those detained by ICE, and offers resources on legal defense and ICE detention issues.
Website: https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/
8. National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Advocates for immigrant rights through litigation, policy, and public education. The site includes legal resources and guides for individuals in detention and their families.
Website: https://www.nilc.org/
9. RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
Provides legal services to immigrants, including detained persons, with a focus on those at risk of deportation. Offers resources, legal representation, and advocacy.
Website: https://www.raicestexas.org/
10. The Immigrant Justice Corps
Offers legal services to detained immigrants in partnership with other organizations. The site provides legal resources and information on their programs.
Website: https://justicecorps.org/
11. ACLU Immigrant Rights Project
The ACLU’s Immigrant Rights Project focuses on defending the rights of detained immigrants, providing guides, legal challenges, and advocacy resources.
Website: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights
12. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The official ICE site offers resources and information about the immigration detention system, though it may not always be focused on detainee rights.
Website: https://www.ice.gov/
13. Kino Border Initiative
This organization provides support and advocacy for migrants, including those detained by ICE. They offer legal resources and programs to assist individuals in detention.
Website: https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/
14. Mijente
Mijente is a political home for Latinx and Chicanx communities organizing around social justice issues, including immigrant rights and advocating for detainees’ rights.
Website: https://mijente.net/
15. Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center (CREEC)
CREEC works on issues of civil rights, including the rights of detained immigrants, and offers legal services and advocacy for detainees in ICE custody.
Website: https://creeclaw.org/
16. The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
Provides free legal services to detained immigrants in Arizona, with resources on detention conditions, legal rights, and navigating the detention system.
Website: https://firrp.org/
17. Carolina Migrant Network
Focuses on providing legal and advocacy support to immigrant detainees and their families in the Carolinas, offering resources on detention rights.
Website: https://carolinamigrantnetwork.org/
18. The Legal Aid Society – Immigration Law Unit
Offers free legal assistance to low-income immigrants, including detained persons. Provides resources and legal defense services.
Website: https://www.legal-aid.org/
19. Pew Research – Immigration Detention
Pew Research Center provides statistics, studies, and reports on immigration detention, including its impact on individuals and families.
Website: https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/immigration/immigration-detention/
20. Immigrant Families Together
Provides financial and legal support to immigrant families separated by ICE detention and advocates for reform of the immigration detention system.
Website: https://www.immigrantfamiliestogether.org/
21. Texas Civil Rights Project
This group advocates for the civil rights of immigrants, including those in ICE detention. It provides resources on legal rights and advocates for policy changes.
Website: https://texascivilrightsproject.org/
22. Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles
This organization focuses on the rights of Asian immigrants, providing legal services and resources to individuals detained by ICE.
Website: https://www.advancingjustice-la.org/
23. UndocuBlack Network
Advocates for Black immigrants in the U.S., providing resources and support for those facing ICE detention and deportation.
Website: https://www.undocublack.org/
24. New York Immigration Coalition
Provides legal services, advocacy, and resources for immigrants in New York, including those detained by ICE.
Website: https://www.nysic.org/
25. Border Angels
Offers resources and advocacy for immigrant communities, including those detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. Focuses on human rights and access to legal services.
Website: https://www.borderangels.org/
26. National Deportation Defense
Focuses on defending individuals in deportation proceedings, offering resources and legal assistance for detainees.
Website: https://www.nationaldeportationdefense.org/
27. Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG)
This organization connects lawyers to pro bono work, including providing legal aid to detained immigrants. Offers legal tools and volunteer opportunities.
Website: https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/
28. The Brennan Center for Justice
The Brennan Center works on immigration reform, providing legal research and advocacy related to ICE detention and immigrant rights.
Website: https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/immigration
29. Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM)
Provides legal services to migrant workers, including detainees, and advocates for better treatment and rights within the immigration system.
Website: https://cdmigrante.org/
30. SeFrontera
SeFrontera works on providing support and legal assistance for migrants detained by ICE and provides advocacy on immigration and detention policies.
Website: https://www.sefrontera.org/
P.S. For attorneys and advocates providing counsel to detainees, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest guidelines from the U.S. government. Here below is a comprehensive resource outlining the procedures, rights, and access protocols for legal professionals working with individuals in ICE detention. Website: https://www.ice.gov/detain/attorney-information-resources
