United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Frequently Asked Questions

ICE Detention Facilities - FAQs

1. What is an immigration detention center?
     An immigration detention center is a facility operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or contracted private companies to hold individuals who are awaiting immigration hearings, deportation, or asylum processing. Detainees may include undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and individuals facing removal proceedings.

2. How can I find out where an ICE detainee is held?
     You can locate a detainee using the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, available on the ICE website. To search, you will need either the A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth or the detainee’s full name, country of birth, and date of birth. If the detainee is recently transferred or booked, their information may not appear immediately. Families and legal representatives can also contact ICE field offices or the detention center directly for updated information.

3. Who operates immigration detention centers?
     ICE manages these facilities, but many are run through private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group or in collaboration with county jails and local law enforcement agencies. Some detention centers are standalone facilities, while others are dedicated sections within jails or prisons.

4. How long do people stay in immigration detention?
     Detention times vary. Some detainees are held for a few days or weeks, while others may remain in custody for months or even years due to delays in immigration court proceedings, asylum claims, or deportation appeals. The average detention period is about 55 days, but it can be significantly longer for complex cases.

5. Can detainees bond out of immigration detention?
     Some detainees may be eligible for an immigration bond, allowing them to be released while their case is pending. Bond amounts are determined by ICE or an immigration judge and can range from $1,500 to over $10,000, depending on the person’s immigration history, flight risk, and criminal record.

6. Do immigration detainees have legal representation?
     Unlike in criminal cases, detainees do not automatically receive a government-appointed attorney. They must hire their own lawyer or seek help from nonprofit organizations such as the American Immigration Council, RAICES, or the National Immigrant Justice Center, which provide pro bono legal services.

7. What are the conditions like inside immigration detention centers?
     Conditions vary, but many facilities have been criticized for overcrowding, inadequate medical care, poor hygiene, and lack of access to legal resources. Some centers provide basic medical services, outdoor recreation, and educational programs, but others operate under strict confinement policies similar to jails.

8. Can immigration detainees receive visitors?
     Yes, but visitation policies vary by facility. Some detention centers allow in-person, no-contact, or video visits, while others impose restrictions due to security concerns. Visitors must be pre-approved and may be subject to background checks and strict dress codes.

9. Are immigration detainees allowed to make phone calls?
     Yes, detainees can make collect or prepaid calls, but phone rates can be expensive. Calls are monitored except for legal calls, and some facilities have contracts with GTL (ViaPath), Securus, or Talton Communications, which provide calling services at high per-minute costs.

10. Do detainees have access to medical care?
      Yes, ICE is required to provide basic medical care, but reports indicate long wait times, inadequate treatment, and lack of specialized care. Some detainees with chronic conditions have struggled to receive consistent medication or emergency treatment.

11. Are families with children held in immigration detention centers?
      Yes, family detention centers exist, such as the South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley, TX) and Berks Family Residential Center (PA). However, many immigrant children are separated from their families and housed in youth shelters or foster care, particularly if their parents are deported or detained separately.

12. What rights do detainees have while in ICE custody?
      Detainees have the right to:

• Access legal counsel (but not a free lawyer)
• Request bond hearings
• Practice their religion
• Receive medical care
• Access telephones and communicate with family
  However, these rights are often restricted or inconsistently enforced, depending on facility policies.

13. Can ICE transfer detainees to different locations?
      Yes, ICE frequently transfers detainees between facilities, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away from their families and lawyers. This can make it harder for detainees to prepare their legal cases and maintain family connections.

14. What happens if an immigrant wins their case?
      If a detainee wins their asylum or cancellation of removal case, they are released and may apply for a work permit or permanent residency, depending on their situation. Some may still be monitored through ICE check-ins, electronic ankle monitors, or supervised release programs.

15. What happens if an immigrant loses their case?
      If a detainee loses their case, they are typically deported to their home country unless they appeal the decision or receive protection through humanitarian relief programs. ICE arranges removal flights, often sending detainees to their country’s government for processing.

16. Do detainees get access to outdoor recreation?
      Most ICE facilities provide limited outdoor access, but some restrict movement to indoor areas. Many detainees spend the majority of their time inside their cells or communal living spaces due to facility security policies.

17. What happens when a detainee is released?
      Upon release, ICE may:

• Grant parole or asylum
• Place the individual on supervised release (e.g., ankle monitors, mandatory check-ins)
• Transfer them to another government agency (for further processing)
  Released detainees often rely on immigrant support organizations for housing, job placement, and legal guidance.

18. Can detainees file complaints about mistreatment?
      Yes, detainees can file grievances within the facility, report mistreatment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights, or seek legal assistance from human rights organizations. However, many complaints go unresolved, and detainees fear retaliation for speaking out.

19. What organizations help detainees and their families?
      Several organizations provide legal support, advocacy, and financial aid for detainees, including:

• RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
• National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project
• Freedom for Immigrants (formerly CIVIC)

20. What are alternatives to immigration detention?
      ICE operates alternative-to-detention (ATD) programs, which allow eligible immigrants to:

• Be released on bond or parole
• Participate in supervision programs like check-ins, house arrest, or electronic monitoring
• Stay in community shelters while awaiting court hearings
  These programs help reduce detention costs and overcrowding while allowing immigrants to remain with their families.