How to Find Someone in Immigration Custody

Michelle Wilson - December 28, 2023

Discovering the whereabouts of someone whom Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) might have detained due to immigration violations or facing deportation comes with several steps. According to online data on December 3, 2023, ICE detained 36,755 individuals. Therefore, understanding the process of locating someone in ICE detainment may become a process that you will need to familiarize yourself with.

To find someone in ICE custody, you can try checking the online detainee locator system and contacting ICE field offices using any relevant data you have about the person you are trying to locate.

Understanding The Different Types of Immigration Custody

Immigrants may find themselves in an ICE Detention Center for various reasons, including entering the country illegally, complying with a judge’s deportation orders, or during pending removal proceedings. Individuals awaiting a decision on their political asylum case may also be in such facilities. But what are these facilities?

Detention centers are purpose-built facilities for individuals awaiting immigration hearings or deportation proceedings. Frequently operated by private companies through contracts with government agencies, these centers house individuals at different stages of the immigration process. At present, the Texas Fam Residential Center has the most ICE detainees in the United States, with a total of 2,022, according to online data. In certain situations, individuals in immigration custody may be in local or county jails. This arrangement typically occurs through agreements between immigration authorities and local law enforcement.

Knowing Your Legal Rights

Individuals in detention centers or ICE facilities retain some fundamental rights, including the right to legal representation, the right to know the charges against them and the right to a fair hearing. Access to medical care, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to practice one’s religion are also rights the government aims to protect.

Knowing these rights can be helpful as you seek the whereabouts of someone specific to ensure you don’t unintentionally cross any boundaries.

Steps To Conduct Your Search

With this background in mind, here are some steps to locate the person you are trying to find.

Gather Relevant Information

Before initiating the search, gather as much relevant information about the individual as possible. This may include their full name, date of birth, country of origin, and A-number.

Having accurate and comprehensive information will enhance the effectiveness of your search.

Using The Online Detainee Locator System

The second step in the search process is to utilize the Online Detainee Locator System. This online tool provides a centralized database of individuals currently in ICE custody. The Online Detainee Locator System does not support searches for individuals under 18. The website recommends you input the exact nine-digit A-Number to initiate a search using the detainee’s A-Number. If the A-Number consists of fewer than nine digits, adding leading zeros at the beginning of the number is necessary. You must also select the correct Country of Birth as a mandatory field. To conduct this search, enter the detainee’s A-Number, ensuring it is precisely nine digits long. If the A-Number is fewer than nine digits, add leading zeros. Then, select the detainee’s correct Country of Birth.

Alternatively, when conducting a search based on biographical information, the detainee’s first and last names are required, and the input must be an exact match. For hyphenated last names, you should include the hyphen in the search (e.g., John-Smith). As with the A-Number search, you must include the detainee’s Country of Birth. The data on the ICE Detainee Locator is typically available in a window ranging from 20 minutes to eight hours. According to ICE policy, they must update their systems within eight hours following detainees’ release, removal, or transfer. While updates often occur more promptly, individuals intending to visit a detainee should contact the detention facility beforehand to ensure the detainee is still at that particular site.

Contacting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Offices

Unfortunately, the website may not reflect the most current information if ICE has recently detained the individual. In such instances, it becomes necessary to take your background check one step further and reach out to the nearest ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office corresponding to where the person was apprehended. You can find the office in the person’s record on the locator system or by googling the office number where you think their case began.

These offices can provide additional assistance and guidance in locating the individual you are searching for and can even tell you if the ICE removed the person from the U.S.

Direct Contact with the Immigration Detention Facility

Another method you may want to try is direct contact with the facility, which is possible if you are aware of the specific detention facility where the individual you are looking for is. This approach can often yield more immediate information about the person’s status and location.

How Long Might Someone Be In Immigration Custody For?

The duration of ICE detainment is a multifaceted process with specific timeframes and crucial considerations. When local law enforcement detains an immigrant suspected of a crime, ICE can request a 48-hour hold (excluding weekends and holidays) beyond the individual’s anticipated release time. If approved, this hold empowers immigration officials to transfer the individual into ICE custody. After an ICE investigation, release follows if the immigrant is of legal status. However, federal custody ensues if the person you are looking for has entered the U.S. illegally, reentered after prior removal proceedings, or overstayed their visa ICE will need to initiate removal procedures, including a hearing in immigration court.

Legal representation, particularly a deportation lawyer, is strongly recommended when facing ICE removal proceedings. Should ICE fail to take custody within the 48 hours, individuals have the right to be released. In such cases, seeking immediate assistance from an attorney is crucial to safeguard individual rights and navigate the complexities of immigration law.

Additional Tips To Ensure Your Search Is Successful

When searching for someone in an immigration detention center, it’s crucial to be meticulous to ensure accurate and effective results, the same way you would in a standard background check. Spelling errors can significantly impact the search process, so double-check the correctness of the entered information. Be attentive to clerical input errors related to their name or biographic details. If you possess a copy of their ID, input the name exactly as it appears on those documents to enhance the accuracy of your search.

Moreover, pay close attention to where you input the information. Inputting details into the wrong search bar can yield inaccurate results. For instance, searching for the A-number in the biographical section may not provide the desired outcome. To avoid such pitfalls, exercise caution and ensure the information enters the appropriate search bar. Additionally, remember that the information in the system will remain for only 60 days. If too much time has elapsed since the individual’s detention and release, contacting the field office directly for the most up-to-date and relevant information is advisable.

What To Do If You Can’t Find The Person

Experts will often encourage searchers to seek guidance on the next steps if their initial search efforts do not yield results, including whether they should continue trying, consult legal professionals, or explore alternative approaches. Therefore, if an initial search comes up empty, remember there are other options.