Find someone who is detained

What to do first

In most cases, the fastest path is to first call a Minnesota rapid response or navigation line to report the situation and get help routing. Then check the official federal locator tools.

Locator systems may take time to update. If someone was just taken, they may not appear right away. That is normal. Keep trying and call for support in parallel.

1. Call MONARCA or another rapid response line to report and get coordination.
2. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator (ODLS), then check EOIR for court status.
3. If they don't appear yet, call ICE ERO St. Paul or check local county jail rosters.

COPAL Navigator Helpline

Navigator line support, referrals, and connections including immigration-related resource navigation. Operates in English and Spanish.

Unidos MN

Community services and resource navigation. Explicitly routes people to MONARCA for immigration emergencies. Call their main line and ask for help.

ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS)

Search for people currently in ICE custody. Use the A-number if you have it. That is the fastest and most precise search. Otherwise, use full name + date of birth + country of birth.

EOIR Automated Case Information

Check hearing dates, times, locations, and basic case status for immigration court. Use the A-number to search online or call the automated phone line.

What to know

If ODLS returns no result, it does not mean the person is not detained. The system can take time to update, especially in the first hours after a stop.

• If the person may still be in local custody and not yet transferred to ICE, consider checking the county jail roster for the county where the stop happened.
• If you believe they are already in ICE custody and ODLS still shows nothing, call ICE ERO St. Paul.

ICE ERO St. Paul

Contact the ICE field office for the Minnesota region when ODLS has no result. Ask where the person is being held. Have their name, date of birth, and country of birth ready.

The Advocates for Human Rights

Free immigration legal help intake and screening for certain case types. New clients must call during intake hours. No walk-ins for intake.

Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN)

Intake screening and connection to volunteer attorneys and clinics for Minnesotans needing civil legal help, including immigration depending on capacity.

National Lawyers Guild Minnesota

Legal support hotline and routing to resources. Broadly used for arrest and enforcement situations. Have name, date of birth, and custody details ready when you call.

Minnesota Food HelpLine

Call or text for food shelf referrals, SNAP navigation, and multilingual support. Serves all of Minnesota.

Metro Shelter Hotline

Shelter routing and information for people needing emergency shelter or transitional housing in the 7-county metro area, including Dakota County.

MIRAC: Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee

Community support and connection to deportation defense resources. Not a law firm. Use their resources page and follow listed instructions.

DIRE Support Services

Support navigation and resources for undocumented individuals and families facing immigration and detention crises. Used by Minnesota families. Call the support line or visit the website.