Detention Center Information
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Detainees have visitation privileges as long as they and their visitors follow the center’s rules and protocols. The rules governing each immigration detention center will vary. Please contact the appropriate detention center should you have further questions.
Friends and Family Visits
Please arrive at the detention center 45 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. This allows enough time for personnel to follow security protocols without wasting the allotted visitation period.
All visitors must present a valid, government-issued picture ID. Minors must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and older) at all times.
Attorney Visits
Individuals are allowed to consult with their attorney while detained at the immigration center and attorney visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. Immigration detention centers maintain a list of free or pro bono legal organizations for detainees should they want counsel from an attorney or paralegal regarding their individual case. It is the detainee’s responsibility to find and secure their legal representation.
Consular Visits
Consular officials may visit detainees at any time. It is suggested that consular officials make prior appointments with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer if possible and that they provide the appropriate credentials and documentation upon attendance.
Visitation Restrictions
- All firearms and weapons are prohibited.
- Visitors who appear to be intoxicated or under the influence of an illegal substance will be denied access.
- Visitors requesting permission to enter the facility are subject to search prior to entrance and at any time during the visit.
- Visitors may not give items to the detainee. Please see information on shipping packages to detainee.
- Visitors may not bring any items to the visitation area.
- Friends and family visits are contact.
Immigration Court
Please contact the immigration court directly by phone (1-800-898-7180) for information about a detainee’s case.
Board of Immigration Appeals
Please contact the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to speak with a live representative or for automated information regarding immigration laws.
Funds sent through the mail will be taken to the monetary processing center and then deposited into the detainee’s account. The detainee will be given a receipt of the transaction. As a precautionary measure, detainees should encourage friends and family to refrain from sending cash by mail.
Sending Mail to the Immigration Center
To facilitate receipt of mail, please make sure incoming mail has the following information: name, the intended detainee’s A-number (File Number), and address. For safety reasons, all mail sent to the detention center will be opened to allow personnel to inspect for contraband. The mail will not be read. All mail will be processed and given to the detainee within 24 hours of receipt.
If detainees are transferred to another immigration detention center, only legal correspondence will be forwarded to the new facility. All other mail will be marked “Return to Sender” and will be routed back to the post office.
Sending Mail from the Immigration Center
Detainees are allowed to seal outgoing letters and there is no limit to the amount of mail detainees may send. Postage stamps are available for purchase at the detainee’s expense. Detainees who have no funds will be given stamps at the government’s expense. Outgoing mail will be routed to the appropriate post office within 24 hours of being dropped off in the correct receptacle.
Using the Detainee Request System, senders may get written consent to send a package from the facility’s attending Immigration Enforcement Agent. Detainees may receive items by mail intended for the sole purpose of traveling or release from agency custody.
Detainees who are being removed from the country are allowed only one piece of luggage, which cannot exceed 40 lbs. If the detainee does not have luggage, the appropriate container can be shipped to the detainee. Electronic devices (laptops, cell phones, radios, etc) will not be accepted.