Comprehensive Guide to Immigration & ICE Detention Resources for New Jersey Residents
Legal aid, community support, and emergency resources for immigrants and families across New Jersey
Updated January 2026 — Jersey Signal Project
Immigration enforcement in the U.S., including detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), involves both federal systems and state/community resources. New Jersey residents, including families, advocates, attorneys, and community members — need reliable, official, and community‑based information to understand rights, locate detained individuals, access legal help, and stay informed about policy changes.
🔹 Official Federal Government Resources
ICE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Main Site)
🔗 https://www.ice.gov/
The primary federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, detention, and removal policy. The site provides general information on immigration detention management and outreach contacts.
ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS)
🔗 https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
The official ICE detainee locater lets the public search for individuals currently held in ICE custody nationwide by name, A‑number (Alien Registration Number), date of birth, or country of birth. This is the key tool for families and representatives trying to locate someone detained by ICE.
Locate Someone Being Detained — USA.gov Guidance
🔗 https://www.usa.gov/detained-by-ice
A U.S. government explanation of how to use the ICE detainee locator and what information is helpful when searching — including alternate federal options if a detainee doesn’t appear in the system.
ICE Field Office — Newark, NJ
🔗 https://www.ice.gov/es/oficina-de-campo/oficina-de-campo-de-newark
Contact and engagement information for the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office covering New Jersey. Useful for advocacy, outreach, and requests for public information.
Delaney Hall Detention Center — ICE Facility Page
🔗 https://www.ice.gov/es/es/instalaciones-detencion/centro-de-detencion-de-delaney-hall
Official ICE page for the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, with contact and visitation details. This is one of the primary facilities where people may be detained in New Jersey.
🔹 New Jersey State Government Resources
Office of New Americans (NJ Government)
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njnewamericans/
The Office of New Americans provides state‑level immigrant support programs, including Know Your Rights materials in multiple languages, legal service referrals, and the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI).
Know Your Rights — New Jersey Office of New Americans
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njnewamericans/newcomers/rights/
Official state “Know Your Rights” guides that explain interactions with immigration enforcement and protections available under New Jersey law.
NJ Office of New Americans — Legal Services Programs
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njnewamericans/programs/legal/
Direct access to NJ’s legal referral programs — including phone consultations and connections for detained/non‑detained immigration legal support.
🔹 New Jersey Detention & Deportation Legal Defense Resources
New Jersey’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI)
If you know someone who is facing deportation and/or has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and needs legal support, you can request assistance through New Jersey’s state-supported legal defense network.
DDDI Legal Referral Form:
(Use the official referral form provided by the New Jersey Office of New Americans to request support for detained or at-risk individuals.)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) — Immigration Legal Support
AFSC provides telephonic legal consultations and detention-related assistance for New Jersey residents.
973-643-1924
Call to request a telephonic consultationConsultations scheduled Tuesdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
732-902-0460
For residents of Monmouth and Ocean CountiesCall Tuesdays, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
973-474-9861
Detention-related calls onlyCall Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) — Immigration & Detention Assistance
LSNJ provides statewide legal assistance for both detained and non-detained immigration matters.
1-732-572-9100 ext. 8782
Statewide assistance for non-detained immigration matters1-888-894-0612
For detained individuals or detention-related legal issuesCall hours:
Monday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wednesday & Friday: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Online Intake Portal (non-detained immigration & other civil legal issues):
🔗 https://lsnjlawhotline.org
🔹 Nonprofit Legal & Rights Advocacy Organizations
New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ)
🔗 https://www.njaij.org/kyr
The state’s largest immigrant rights coalition. Offers trainings, rights resources, deportation and detention guidance, multilingual materials, and attorney referral hubs.
ACLU of New Jersey — Know Your Rights (Spanish/English)
🔗 https://www.aclu-nj.org/es/know-your-rights/conozca-sus-derechos-por-si-lo-abordan-los-agentes-de-inmigracion-en-nueva-jersey/
State‑focused immigrant rights guides explaining interactions with ICE and law enforcement.
Legal Services of New Jersey — Immigration & Detention Topics
🔗 https://www.lsnjlaw.org/legal-topics/immigration/detention
Free legal information and referrals about immigration detention, including links to the federal detainee locator and statewide legal assistance hotlines.
La Casa de Don Pedro — Immigrant Resource Center
🔗 https://lacasadedonpedro.org/immigrant-resource-center/
A community resource hub with toolkits on rights, documenting interactions, preparing families for emergencies, and connection points for legal help.
AAPI New Jersey — Immigrant Rights Resources
🔗 https://aapinewjersey.org/resources/immigrants-rights/
Advocacy, multilingual “Know Your Rights” cards, FAQs, reporting options, and incident tracking support for Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrant communities.
🔹 Community & Educational Resource Hubs
New Jersey Coalition for Immigrant Children (via Office of New Americans)
🔗 (linked within Office of New Americans site)
A consortium that provides information, legal referrals, and support specifically for immigrant children and youth seeking asylum or navigating immigration court.
NJ Coalition for Immigrant Community Integration — Digital Resource Bank
🔗 https://www.njcic.org/digital-resource-bank
A collection of community‑focused guides on topics including asylum, healthcare, and basic rights.
🔹 Federal Legal Rights & Case Status Tools
Immigration Court Case Status
🔗 https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/
A DOJ‑hosted portal where families or representatives can check an immigration court case status (e.g., hearings, next dates).
USA.gov Deportation & Case Status Info
🔗 https://www.usa.gov/detained-by-ice
Federal overview including how to handle immigration court and locating a detained person.
🔹 Civil Liberties & Support Networks (National)
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) — Know Your Rights/Detention Guidance
🔗 https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/what-do-if-you-or-loved-one-detained/
A comprehensive guide on what to do if someone is detained by ICE, how to use the detainee locator, and how detention/visitation works, valuable context for NJ families.
📌 How to Use These Resources Effectively
Locate a detained person:
Start with the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
Call ICE ERO offices (e.g., Newark field contacts) if needed.
Understand and exercise rights:
Use “Know Your Rights” guides from NJ and ACLU.
Access legal help and representation:
Contact NJ legal programs through Office of New Americans referrals.
Reach out to nonprofit advocates for detained individuals.
Stay updated on policies & conditions:
Follow nonprofit updates, state advisories, federal system changes, and national civil rights group analyses.
Editor’s Note
ICE detention and immigration enforcement involve overlapping federal, state, and community support layers. This directory gives New Jersey residents the tools to locate detained individuals, understand legal rights, access representation, and stay informed with both official government sources and advocacy‑driven resources.