Finding Family and Friends Apprehended and Detained by ICE
Due to President Trump’s new executive orders on immigration, we anticipate a greater number of people being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and placed in removal proceedings. If you suspect that your loved one might be detained by ICE, there are a couple of ways to find out where he or she is located as well as options for communicating with the detainee.
Ways to Locate ICE Detainees
The two ways to locate ICE detainees are through an online search or by contacting an Enforcement and Removal Operations field office. Keep reading for specifics.
Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator System
The first place to look for friends and family members (18 and older) detained by ICE is online. Start by searching the ICE Online Detainee Locator System using his or her A-number (alien registration number or USCIS number) and country of birth. For help on locating the A-number, refer to the USCIS E-Verify help site. If you do not know the A-number, try searching with biographical information such as:
- First, last and hyphenated names
- Alias names
- Country of birth
- Date of birth
The Online Detainee Locator System should be updated within 8 hours of the release, removal, or transfer of detainees.
Contact an Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office
If you can’t find the detainee using ICE’s online system, try contacting the local Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office where you believe the person was apprehended. You can reach ERO Field Offices:
- By phone
- By email*
- By regular mail
- In person
*If you are sending sensitive personal information by email, note that the system is not secure. The more secure option for your inquiry is U.S. mail.
Contacting a Detainee at a Local Detention Center
In most cases, once you have located the detainee, you can call the detention center 24 hours a day to:
- Obtain info about the detainee.
- Leave an urgent message for the detainee.
- Leave the phone number at which you can be reached by the detainee.
Keep in mind that detainees can’t receive incoming calls and that you must provide your name and contact number as well as the individual’s biographical information and A-number when you call.
Each detention center posts online its contact information, visiting hours, how to send items to the detainee and more.
Contact Shaftel Law Regarding Your Immigration Matter
If you have any questions or concerns about a removal case and want to speak to an experienced immigration attorney, contact Shaftel Law online or call (303) 872-6985.