Common Hotline Questions

Is Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Santa Ana immigration court? 

No. ICE is not currently confirmed to be present at the Santa Ana Immigration Court located at:

1241 E Dyer Rd #200, Santa Ana, CA 92705. 

Community members reported seeing masked ICE agents and G4S detention officers from late May 2025 through late August 2025. Since then, legal observers from CLUE Justice and partner organizations continue to monitor and have not confirmed the presence of ICE agents. If the conditions change, we will alert the community. 

Individuals who have concerns about attending court may consider seeking guidance from a trusted legal representative. Some judges may allow virtual hearing options in certain cases. It is also important to be aware that missing a scheduled court date can result in a deportation order being issued in absentia.

Is Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the justice centers (local and state courts)?

Regarding the justice centers, you can find their addresses here:
Locations & Contact Info | Superior Court of California | County of Orange.

ICE activity has been limited and sporadic. In summer 2025, ICE was witnessed inside the North Justice Center. During one attempted arrest, the bailiff contacted the Sheriff’s Department, which declined to assist. There was also a reported incident of ICE arresting an individual outside the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, in front of the courthouse, but not on courthouse premises.

No arrests of this nature have been reported this year. However, individuals may still want to proceed with caution and consider attending court alongside an attorney or trusted community members.

Is the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office the same as the immigration court?

No. They are different.

Related services near the Santa Ana ICE Field Office:

Some immigration-related appointments may involve U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including:

• Interviews for non-asylum applications
• Naturalization ceremonies, 
• In-person assistance for certain cases. 

Some arrests have occurred during U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) interviews (including marriage, family sponsorship, etc.), and, unlike in the past, the best practice is to have an attorney with you, especially if you have an expired visa.

I have an ICE Check-in at 34 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. What does that mean? 

ICE check-ins can be unpredictable and stressful, especially under the Trump administration, but preparation and community support can make a difference.

We’ve developed a tool with key considerations—call our hotline at 714-881-1558 to learn more..

Community is doing their own risk assessment about going. Please note that attorneys cannot advise someone not to go regardless of that risk assessment. Attending without an attorney is high risk. There is a community myth that only “***llegal” immigrants are being detained. There is no legal distinction between legal immigrants and “***llegal”; such a distinction is a myth and used as a basis for discrimination. All immigrants, no matter their level of documentation, are detainable, whether they be undocumented, underdocumented, or green card holders.

What are the times that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the most active, and where? 

Below is a chart of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Agencies and the hours they have been noted operating in Orange County. Observers have noted that ICE agents leave the ICE field office after 2:30 PM. It is important to note that the agencies below conduct surveillance and staging hour(s) prior to enforcement. Please note these are trends that we have observed and are not guaranteed times of activity/inactivity.

DHS Agency	Times of Activity
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)	5:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)	7:00 AM and onward, depending on the scope of the investigation, they can be present in the community for several hours, conducting an investigation
Joint task force operations involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), often in coordination with agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).	7:00 AM and onward through the day until the targeted arrest is complete
Customs & Border Patrol (CBP)	Since June 9, 2025, enforcement trends indicate that operations often begin after the workday—typically after 9:00 AM. In the months when agents were operating out of Terminal Island, activity was frequently observed after 10:30 AM, with workers targeted at car washes, day labor pickup sites such as Home Depot parking lots, and pedestrians along major street corridors. More recently, as of April 3, 2026, community watchers in the City of San Juan Capistrano reported arrests carried out by local Border Patrol agents—not those associated with Terminal Island—at around 3:00 PM, impacting local community members.

My loved one was arrested by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Customs & Border Protection (CBP). What should I do?

You can find the next steps in our First 24 Hours toolkit, created in collaboration with Silicon Valley De-Bug and Resilience Orange County. English & Spanish versions can be downloaded here: https://resilienceoc.org/know-your-rights/

To locate your loved one:

• It can sometimes take up to a week for them to be processe
• they should appear in the system on this website
  https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search and phone number 888-351-4024.
  

Sometimes it is worthwhile to check local custody by contacting your local jails. However, the detained family member is usually able to call from inside before they are even located and share their location.

When federal agents detain Orange County residents, they often take them to 34 Civic Center Plaza and hold them in the basement. Community members who are not directly impacted by these policies may be able to drop off essential items, such as medication or a sweater, if they arrive before the office closes at 4:00 PM. It is not recommended that under-documented people approach the building in these circumstances.

The individual in custody typically needs to confirm that they know the person dropping off items. Family members and lawyers receive priority in these interactions, as security and agents may be limited in what they can share with individuals who are not immediate relatives or legal counsel.

The location where a community member ends up after an arrest depends on which agency makes the arrest. If arrested by ICE—for reasons such as a final removal order, prior contact with the criminal justice system where charges were not protected by SB 54, an expired student visa, deportation orders issued in absentia, dismissal of an asylum case without an appeal, or other documented enforcement reasons—the individual may be transferred to the LA ICE Field Office at 300 North Los Angeles St. and then to the Adelanto Detention Center, or directly to the Adelanto Detention Center.

It is important to verify whether a loved one remains detained at Adelanto, as we have observed individuals being transferred to the California City Detention Center, as well as to facilities in Arizona and Texas, and more recently to Louisiana and Tennessee.

If a community member is arrested by the U.S. Marshals, they are taken to the Santa Ana Central Jail, where they are held in federal holding cells attached to the police station, which has an existing contract with the U.S. Marshals and other federal agencies. There, they will remain in custody while their legal proceedings are held at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building (Local Federal Courthouse). 

We have noted that community members have been arrested on federal charges related to illegal entry and re-entry. For assistance, community members can contact the Santa Ana Federal Public Defender’s Office at (714) 338-4500 and 411 West Fourth Street, Suite 7110, Santa Ana, CA 92701. This number is also critical for U.S. citizens facing federal charges for legal observing and are experiencing retaliation by the federal government.

Please remind folks of their rights so as not to self-incriminate: For citizens and non-citizens alike, they have the following rights they can exercise in custody:

• They have the right to remain silent
• They have the right to an attorney 
• They have the right not to sign anything

Non-citizens seeking asylum have the right to express a credible fear of returning to their home country. 

My loved one is in a detention center. They should be eligible for bond, right? 

With your support, your loved one can speak to an attorney about their bond eligibility. As of April 2026, immigration bond eligibility in California is in a state of flux due to legal challenges against the Trump administration’s strict no-bond policies. While federal courts have previously ruled against the administration’s mandatory detention policies, recent appellate decisions have narrowed the scope of individuals eligible to request a bond, especially for those who entered the U.S. without inspection. You can learn more about this update here.

Now more than ever, we are seeing more community members consider whether they are eligible for a habeas corpus petition, so it may be strategic to ask whether your loved one is eligible for this federal petition. Many of our legal partners, including CAIR LA, AJ SoCal, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and South Asian Network, have been working closely with community members to file these petitions. The Federal Public Defender’s offices in Los Angeles and Santa Ana are also representing individuals pro bono in these petitions. The legal partners listed below may have waitlists, but they are working closely with the community to meet this growing need. 

For individuals who are eligible for bond, it is important to mitigate two factors: danger to the community and flight risk. Community members can begin working closely with their loved one’s attorney to compile character letters for a “socio-biography” packet. Below are a couple of items that can be included in a socio-biography packet before an immigration judge:

• Evidence of Family Ties: Birth certificates of U.S. citizen children, marriage certificates, and evidence of relationships to show family unity.
• Evidence of Hardship: Medical records, psychological evaluations, and letters explaining the physical, emotional, or financial hardship family members would face if the applicant is removed.
• Proof of Physical Presence/History: School records for children, utility bills, rent receipts, and tax returns proving long-term residence.
• Community Ties & Good Moral Character: Letters of support from employers, neighbors, teachers, or religious leaders; proof of volunteer work; and documentation of any community involvement.
• Employment Records: Pay stubs or employment records to show economic contributions.

Immigration Resource Key – Terms and List of Non-Profits

When to seek Preemptive Immigration Care Graphic

Know Your Rights

Immigration Legal Resources and Numbers

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center: (213) 634-0999
• Public Law Center: Immigration Dept: (714) 541-1010, ext 332
• Community Legal Aid SoCal: (714) 571-5200
• Catholic Charities of OC: (714) 347-9610 
• World Relief SoCal: (714) 210-4730 
• CAIR LA, Immigrant Rights Center: (714) 776-1177 
• Solidarity, Camino Immigration Services: (657) 217-2365 
• Western State College of Law, Immigration and Deportation Clinic: (714) 459-1196 
• Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project: (213) 251-3505 
• South Asian Network: (562) 403-0488
• OC Bar Association: (Private) Attorney Info & Referral Service: (949) 440-6747 
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AJSocal): (714) 477.2958

Immigration Legal Defense Funds & Resources by City

The following Orange County cities have established or are currently developing immigration legal defense funds/resources for community members facing detention or deportation proceedings.

DISCLAIMER Due to the significant and ongoing need for immigration legal representation, local nonprofit legal service providers may take a longer time to respond to requests for assistance. In some cases, it may take several weeks or longer for community members or their loved ones to receive a response regarding consultations or representation. Delays do not necessarily reflect a lack of interest in the case, but rather the high volume of requests and the limited legal capacity available.

Anaheim

Anaheim works with the legal nonprofit Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) to provide legal consultation and assistance to Anaheim families (who live or work in the city) in the critical first 24 to 72 hours after someone may have been detained. The Immigrant Defenders hotline takes calls Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you call after hours, leave a voicemail with your contact information and details so they can get back to you. This rapid response offering can provide the following:  Comprehensive consultations  Providing Pro Se (or “on one’s own behalf”) resources Representation for individuals who are bond eligible  And referrals to Legal Service Providers in case they are unable to take on the case Immigrant Defenders Law Center Immigrant Defenders Law Center 634 S. Spring St. in Los Angeles (213) 833-8283 For additional information, please visit Anaheim’s Resource page: Contigo Anaheim Resources For updates regarding the development of Anaheim’s legal defense fund, please contact Mike Lyster, Chief Communications Officer Office: (714) 765-4497 Mobile: (714) 686-4402

Buena Park

Community members who live or work in Buena Park and are seeking legal defense support may contact Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef). Referrals for People in Detention Centers: Send email to: rapidresponse@immdef.org  Please include: • Your name and contact information • Full name of detained person • Date of birth • Birth country • A-Number (if available) • Date and location of detention • Family contact information for follow-up Referrals for People Outside of Detention: Please complete the ImmDef Referral Form Imm Def Lead Contact for Buena Park: Mr. Elmer S. Flores, Managing Attorney EFlores@immdef.org

Costa Mesa

The City of Costa Mesa maintains immigration-related community resources and legal defense support through Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) and Public Law Center (PLC).  It is important to note that residents may contact both organizations, as capacity varies and one provider may be able to take a case when the other cannot. In the meantime, both organizations are working to determine the most effective process moving forward, and we are providing input to help shape those efforts based on feedback and experiences shared by community members. For additional information, please visit Costa Mesa’s Resource page: Costa Mesa Community Resources Immigrant Defenders Law Center Referrals for People in Detention Centers: Send email to: rapidresponse@immdef.org  Please include: • Your name and contact information • Full name of detained person • Date of birth • Birth country • A-Number (if available) • Date and location of detention • Family contact information for follow-up Referrals for People Outside of Detention: Please complete the ImmDef Referral Form Imm Def Lead Contact for Costa Mesa: Mr. Elmer S. Flores, Managing Attorney: EFlores@immdef.org  Public Law Center (PLC) Community members who live in Costa Mesa, work in Costa Mesa, or were arrested by ICE in Costa Mesa may contact PLC for immigration legal consultations and referrals. Phone: (714) 541-1010 ext. 332 Email: plc-immadmin@publiclawcenter.org

Irvine

The City of Irvine has a contract with Camino Immigration Services to provide immigration consultations and rapid-response assistance to community members who have been detained in or are residents of Irvine. For additional information, please visit Irvine’s Resource page: Camino Immigration Services Phone: (657) 217-2365 Email: help@caminoimmigration.org

Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana maintains both a rapid-response Immigration Legal Defense Program and a Universal Representation Program working with Immigrant Defender’s Law Center. For additional information on the Universal Representation Program, please visit Santa Ana’s Resource page: Santa Ana Immigration Legal Defense Program Community members seeking legal defense support may contact: Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef). Referrals for People in Detention Centers Send email to: rapidresponse@immdef.org  Please include: • Your name and contact information • Full name of detained person • Date of birth • Birth country • A-Number (if available) • Date and location of detention • Family contact information for follow-up Referrals for People Outside of Detention: Please complete: ImmDef Referral Form Imm Def Lead Contact for Santa Ana: Anna Rae Goethe, Directing Attorney Phone: (213) 290-2992 Email: agoethe@immdef.org

Know Your Rights and Resource Materials:

• Resilience OC: KYR and First 24 Hours Guide 
• ILRC Family Preparedness Plans
• ILRC Know Your Rights
• CHRCL – 4th Amendment Toolkit for Organizations
• NILC – KYR Immigration Bond
• NIPNLG – What Am I Signing When I Sign My Immigration?
• NIPNLG – Habeas Explainer and Pro Se Filing Instructions
• NIPNLG – Explainer: Pretermission of Asylum Cases in Immigration Court

Additional Immigration Rapid Response Hotlines:

• California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) – CA Rapid Response Hotlines
• OC Defense Coalition
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA): (888) 624-4752
• Immigrant Defenders: (213) 833-8283
• LA Defense Coalition: (714) 477-2958
• Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ): (909) 361-4588 
• ORALE: (562) 245-9575

Food Distribution & Pantry Resources:

• Food | | 2-1-1 Orange County
• List of food pantries, by city
• Second Harvest Food Bank Resources
• Summer Meal Sites in OC (California Dept of Education) 
• Sabii