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Last Modified on Nov 15, 2025
Having a loved one detained by ICE can cause serious stress and emotional strain for the defendant’s loved ones. Federal law enforcement agents follow different procedures than local police, and the location of your family member may not be easy to determine if you do not have legal support. Working with a criminal defense attorney can often play a key role in knowing what to do if a family member is picked up by ICE in Greenville or Spartanburg.
Understanding Your Family Member’s Rights
If your family member was arrested by ICE, taking decisive action is critical. Everyone in this country, whether they are here lawfully or not, has the right to legal counsel and due process. While it might be stressful to deal with the prospect of a loved one being deported, an attorney can review the case and offer options.
Your family member still has important rights. They have the right to remain silent, the right to refuse to sign documents they do not understand, and the right to speak with an immigration attorney before answering questions. They may also request a bond hearing, depending on their charges and immigration history.
You can take decisive action by gathering documentation that demonstrates their residency status. If your family member is eligible for asylum, that could also offer a path forward. An attorney can learn about your family member’s time in the country and community ties before preparing a strategy that works to help your loved one remain in this country.
Understanding ICE Raids and South Carolina’s Undocumented Population
Family members of detainees may face immediate serious and stressful complications, including the loss of income, childcare challenges, and difficulty locating loved ones within the detention system. Because detainees are often transferred quickly, relatives may struggle to track their location or understand the next steps in the legal process. Around 5.8% of South Carolina residents are foreign-born.
By December 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had arrested more than 3,000 people in South Carolina, more than doubling last year’s total of fewer than 1,300 arrests. These operations affect communities across Greenville, including neighborhoods like Overbrook, Nicholtown, and Pleasant Valley, where mixed-status families often live together.
In nearby Spartanburg, enforcement activity along roads such as Asheville Highway, East Main Street, and Pine Street can leave family members seeking legal representation. ICE does not maintain a detention center, so defendants may be transported to facilities such as the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia or another location.
Why You Should Hire a Deportation Lawyer
Facing the prospect of losing a loved one due to deportation measures can be a stressful ordeal. Often, the outcome of these types of cases is determined by the strength and experience of their attorney. When you hire a deportation lawyer for your family member, you equip them with the support of a dedicated advocate who understands Greenville deportation laws and how to manage a complex Spartanburg deportation case.
Your deportation attorney can gather evidence to show that the detainee has the right to remain in this country to seek asylum. Based on the facts of the case, your lawyer can focus on the most effective strategy for allowing them to remain in this country. During a difficult ordeal, having strong legal advocacy can ensure that their rights are protected and they are afforded due process throughout the case.
FAQs
How Can a Family Member Respond if Someone Is Picked Up by ICE?
A family member can inquire into the status of a relative who was picked up by ICE. The process is often challenging because considerable time can pass before ICE places the detainee’s location online. Having legal representation is critical to helping loved ones locate their family members. Anyone who is detained by ICE has the right to legal counsel.
How Can You Locate a Relative Taken Into ICE Custody?
A relative can be located through the ICE Online Detainee Locator System by entering the person’s full name, date of birth, and country of origin. The system provides the facility name once the person is processed into custody. If the system does not show results, it may mean the person has not yet been booked. Contacting local ICE field offices can help confirm the person’s status.
Do Local Police Assist ICE in Greenville or Spartanburg?
Local police in Greenville and Spartanburg enforce state and local laws but may work with ICE in limited situations involving criminal matters. Local agencies are not required to enforce federal immigration laws, and routine encounters do not always involve immigration checks. The decision of whether to cooperate with ICE is up to the law enforcement agency’s leadership, and local political considerations often influence those decisions.
How Can a Detained Individual Seek Release From ICE Custody?
A detained individual can seek release by working with an immigration attorney who can request an immigration bond or schedule a bond hearing before a judge. An attorney presents evidence of community ties, employment history, and stability to show the person is not a flight risk. If the bond is denied or set at a high amount, legal counsel can challenge the decision and pursue other options for release.
Protect Your Future With a Compassionate Attorney
Immigration cases can have lasting consequences for you and your family. If a loved one was detained by ICE, it is important to remember that they have rights. Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, has served the Greenville and Spartanburg communities for over a decade. We take pride in our ability to deliver comprehensive legal services and proven results. We understand that everyone deserves the right to be treated fairly by our immigration and justice systems.
When you work with our team of immigration lawyers, you gain the support of lawyers who maintain bar admissions at the state and federal levels. Our legal team is also active in organizations such as the American Bar Association, so we stay current on important immigration-related developments. During a difficult time, trust our skilled attorneys to provide the guidance and support you need. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.ƒ
