Can ICE Detain You Forever? Understanding Indefinite Detention and Your Rights
Thousands of noncitizens in the United States receive final removal orders yearly. These are legal decisions by immigration judges declaring that an individual must leave the country. Once such an order is issued, the U.S. government, through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), begins the process of removing that individual. Deportations rely on the cooperation of foreign governments, which must verify a person's citizenship, issue travel documents, and sometimes grant visas. But what happens when that cooperation never comes? When deportation becomes impossible or significantly delayed, ICE often continues to detain these individuals. This situation is known as indefinite detention. At Immigration Question , we often hear from individuals unsure of what to do in these circumstances. This blog contains advice about indefinite detention, what to do, and your rights under U.S. immigration law. What Is Indefinite Detention? Indefinite detention occurs when someone with ...