How to Find an ICE Detainee and What to Do Next
When someone is taken into immigration custody, family and friends often need answers quickly: Where are they being held? How can they be contacted? Is there a court date or a way to request release? The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Online Detainee Locator System is the main public tool for finding many people in ICE custody. Knowing how to search it—and what to do if it shows no result—can help families take practical next steps without relying on rumors or unofficial websites.
How to Find an ICE Detainee Online
Start with the official ICE Online Detainee Locator System. It is a free government search tool for locating people in ICE custody or, in some circumstances, people recently released from ICE custody. Use the official ICE website rather than a paid “inmate finder” service, which may charge for information that is publicly available or display outdated records.
The locator offers two search methods. An Alien Registration Number (A-number) search is usually the most precise. An A-number is a unique immigration identification number, generally consisting of eight or nine digits. It may appear on immigration documents, court paperwork, or notices. Enter the number without the letter “A” if the form requests digits only, and follow the instructions shown on the site.
If the A-number is unknown, search by the person’s first and last name, country of birth, and date of birth. Enter the name as accurately as possible. If the person uses a different spelling, has more than one last name, or has a name that could be recorded in multiple ways, try reasonable variations. The locator’s fields and instructions can change, so follow what the current page requests.
- Open the official ICE detainee locator.
- Choose an A-number search or a biographical-information search.
- Check every entry carefully before submitting it.
- If a result appears, note the facility name and any available location details.
- Contact the facility directly to confirm the person is still there and ask about calls, visits, mail, and property procedures.
A search result is a starting point, not a guarantee that the person remains at that location. Transfers can occur, and online information may not update immediately. Confirm the location with the facility before traveling or sending anything.
What Information Is Needed to Search
Having accurate identifying information can make the search faster. Before using the locator, gather any documents or details available from the person, a lawyer, or a family member. Do not post sensitive information publicly or send it to an unverified person claiming to help.
| Information | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| A-number | Provides a direct way to search for a person in the immigration system. |
| Full legal name | Helps match the record; spelling and name order may affect results. |
| Country of birth | May be required for a biographical search and helps distinguish similar names. |
| Date of birth | Helps narrow results and confirm that a match is the correct person. |
| Approximate arrest date and location | Useful when contacting ICE offices or checking whether a record may not yet appear. |
Names may be entered differently across government records. A person may have two family names, a compound surname, a transliterated name, or a spelling variation. If the search fails, try alternate spellings or name arrangements while keeping the date of birth and country of birth consistent.
What to Do If the ICE Locator Shows No Results
No result does not necessarily mean the person is not in custody. ICE may not yet have processed the person into its system, the record may use different identifying information, or the person may be held by another agency. Someone arrested recently may first be in local police or county jail custody before an immigration transfer occurs.
Try the search again after some time, verify the A-number and biographical details, and check for alternate spellings. If the person was arrested by local law enforcement, contact the relevant city or county jail and ask whether the person is still there or has been transferred. If the arrest involved another federal agency, that agency may be the appropriate first contact.
Families can also use ICE’s official field office directory to find the relevant ICE office and ask how to confirm custody or locate the appropriate detention facility. Provide the person’s full name, date of birth, country of birth, A-number if known, and the date and location of the arrest. Ask for the name of the office or facility handling the case and write down the date, time, and details of each call.
For a person under 18, the adult ICE locator may not provide a result. Children in immigration custody are generally handled through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), rather than the adult ICE detention system. Families seeking a child should consult the official ORR resources and appropriate legal assistance.
How to Confirm the Facility and Make Contact
Once the locator identifies a facility, use the facility’s official website or contact information to confirm current custody and learn its procedures. ICE detention locations may be operated by ICE, another government agency, or a private contractor. Rules can differ by facility, even when the person is held under federal immigration authority.
Ask the facility how the person can make or receive phone calls, whether video or in-person visits are available, and what identification visitors need. Confirm visiting hours, scheduling requirements, language-access options, and restrictions on personal items. Do not travel based only on an old online listing; verify the person’s presence and the current rules first.
People in detention generally cannot receive ordinary incoming telephone calls as if they were in a private residence. Facility staff may be able to take an urgent message under limited circumstances, but the person usually needs to use the facility’s approved phone system to call out. Ask the facility how calls work and whether there are charges or account procedures. The person’s attorney can also explain approved ways to communicate confidentially.
Before sending mail, money, medication, clothing, or other property, confirm that the facility accepts it and follow its exact instructions. Facilities may reject packages or items that do not meet security rules. Never mail original identity documents or valuable property unless an attorney or the facility has clearly confirmed the proper process.
Contact an Immigration Lawyer and Check the Case
Finding someone in ICE custody is only the first step. Immigration detention and removal proceedings can involve strict deadlines and important legal decisions. A qualified immigration attorney can review the person’s case, explain possible forms of relief, communicate with the government, and assess whether a bond request or other action may be available. The government generally does not provide a free lawyer in immigration court, so families may need to locate private or nonprofit legal help.
Use the U.S. Department of Justice’s list of pro bono legal service providers to look for nonprofit organizations that offer free or low-cost immigration assistance. Verify that a representative is an attorney or an accredited representative authorized to practice before the immigration system. A “notario” or immigration consultant is not necessarily qualified to give legal advice.
Immigration court information is separate from the ICE locator. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Automated Case Information System may provide hearing information for certain cases, and EOIR also offers a case-information phone line at 1-800-898-7180. The A-number is generally needed. Online and telephone case information may not include every detail or replace official notices, so the person or attorney should confirm hearing dates and instructions directly with the court when possible.
Ask the attorney or facility whether the person has received a Notice to Appear, whether a hearing has been scheduled, and whether any filing or deadline is approaching. Do not assume that a family member’s online search reveals the full case status. Keep copies of notices and record any instructions provided by the court, ICE, or counsel.
Understand Bond and Possible Release Options
Some people in ICE detention may be eligible to ask an immigration judge for a bond hearing, while others may be subject to mandatory detention or other limits. Eligibility depends on the person’s circumstances, immigration history, charges, and applicable law. An attorney can evaluate whether a bond request is available and explain what evidence may be relevant, such as community ties, family responsibilities, and plans for appearing at future hearings.
A bond hearing is not the same as a criminal court hearing, and paying a bond does not end an immigration case. If a bond is set, the person may still need to attend immigration proceedings and comply with release conditions. Families should confirm payment instructions through official government sources and consult counsel before transferring money. Scammers may impersonate officials or lawyers and demand urgent payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or unusual payment apps.
Contact the Person’s Consulate When Appropriate
A detained person may be able to contact the consulate of their country of citizenship. Consular officials can sometimes help verify a person’s location, notify family, explain local procedures, or connect the person with a list of lawyers. The person’s rights and available consular services vary by nationality and circumstances.
Use the foreign government’s official embassy or consulate website to find contact details. Be careful about sharing personal information and ask the detained person or their attorney before providing sensitive case details. Consular assistance does not replace legal representation and does not determine the outcome of an immigration case.
Watch for Scams and Protect Personal Information
Families searching for a detainee may be targeted by people pretending to be ICE officers, detention staff, lawyers, or bond agents. Government officials do not ordinarily demand payment by gift card or cryptocurrency to release someone. Treat unexpected demands for immediate payment, threats of arrest, or promises of guaranteed release as warning signs.
Verify phone numbers and email addresses independently through official government or facility websites. Do not rely on caller ID alone, since it can be falsified. Before paying a lawyer or representative, confirm their identity, credentials, written fee agreement, and the exact purpose of any payment. Keep receipts and copies of correspondence.
Share the A-number, date of birth, passport information, and case documents only with trusted legal representatives or verified government contacts when necessary. Avoid posting these details on social media or public forums. A careful, documented search—followed by direct confirmation with the facility and prompt legal advice—can help families respond more effectively while protecting the detained person’s privacy and rights.