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Ask the Inmate

Subject: Send Inmate Mail

can I send a message in Arabic to a USP prison?

Yes, in most cases you can send a letter or message written in Arabic to an inmate housed at a United States Penitentiary (USP), including federal prisons operated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). However, there are a few important things to understand before sending foreign-language correspondence. All inmate mail entering a USP facility is screened and monitored by prison staff for safety and security reasons. When a letter is written in a language other than English, including Arabic, the mailroom may hold the correspondence longer so it can be reviewed or translated if necessary. This does not automatically mean the mail will be rejected. It simply means the facility may need additional time to inspect the content. In most federal prisons, inmates are allowed to receive personal correspondence in foreign languages as long as the content does not violate institutional rules. Problems typically only arise if the message contains threats, coded language, gang references, escape plans, prohibited business activity, or anything that could present a security concern. Religious greetings, family communication, encouragement, and normal conversation are generally permitted. If you are using a service like InmateAid to send the letter, the message will still be printed and mailed through USPS like regular inmate mail. The prison’s mailroom staff then reviews and distributes it according to BOP procedures. Because Arabic mail may require additional review, delivery can sometimes take longer than standard English-language correspondence.

Subject: ICE-Immigration Enforcement

Can a green card holder be deported?

Yes. Having no criminal record does not protect someone from ICE detention. This is one of the most common misconceptions families have and it is important to understand clearly. ICE has the authority to detain anyone it believes is removable under immigration law. A removable person is someone whose presence in the United States violates immigration rules, regardless of whether they have ever committed a crime. This includes people who entered without authorization, people who overstayed a visa, people whose immigration status has lapsed, and others. Data from September 2025 shows that approximately 70 percent of people held in ICE detention had no criminal conviction. This is a large and often misunderstood part of the detained population. Many of these individuals are people who have lived in the United States for years or decades, have families here, pay taxes, and have never had any contact with the criminal justice system. Enforcement priorities have shifted significantly in 2025. Prior administrations generally focused immigration enforcement resources on people with serious criminal records. The current enforcement posture has broadened considerably, with ICE conducting large-scale operations that sweep in people regardless of criminal history. If you have a family member who is undocumented or whose immigration status is uncertain, their lack of a criminal record is not a guaranteed protection.

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