How to Find Someone Detained by ICE: A Step-by-Step Guide

Use the Official ICE Detainee Locator

ICE provides a free online tool that allows the public to search for certain people in immigration custody. Start with the official ICE Online Detainee Locator System. You do not need to pay a third-party service to perform a basic search.

The system offers two main search methods: using the person's Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or using their biographical information. The locator may identify the facility where the person is being held, but information may not appear immediately after an arrest or transfer.

Before searching, gather any immigration paperwork available to you. A Notice to Appear, work permit, permanent resident card, or other immigration document may contain the person's A-Number, which can make the search easier.

Search by A-Number or Personal Information

Option 1: Search using an A-Number

An A-Number is an immigration identification number generally consisting of seven to nine digits. If you have this number, select the A-Number search option, enter the nine-digit number, and choose the person's country of birth. If the number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning to reach nine digits.

Option 2: Search by name

If you do not know the A-Number, choose the biographical search option. Enter the person's first name, last name, and country of birth. You may also enter the date of birth to help identify the correct individual.

If the search does not return a result, check the spelling and try reasonable variations of the person's name, including hyphenated surnames or alternate spellings used in immigration records. A failed search does not necessarily mean the person is not detained.

What If You Cannot Find Your Loved One?

A person may not appear in the locator because the arrest was recent, their information has not yet been entered, they remain in another agency's custody, or the search details do not match their records. If your loved one was arrested recently, continue trying the locator while contacting the relevant authorities.

You can call ICE's Detention Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 for assistance. ICE lists its general operator hours as Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Language assistance is available. You can also find contact information for local offices through the ICE field office directory.

If you know which agency made the arrest, contact that agency or the local jail where the person was last held. Ask whether the person remains in custody or has been transferred to ICE or another facility. Have the person's full name, date of birth, A-Number if available, arrest date, and arrest location ready.

What to Do After Locating Someone

Once you identify the detention facility, confirm that the information is current before arranging a visit or sending documents. Immigration detainees can be transferred between facilities, sometimes across state lines. Contact the facility to learn its procedures for attorney visits, phone calls, and correspondence.

Locating the person is only the first step. Families may also need to determine whether immigration court proceedings have started, whether a removal order exists, and what legal authority ICE is using to detain the person.

• Check immigration court information: Determine whether there is an upcoming hearing or an existing removal order.
• Explore possible release options: Some people may qualify for a bond hearing, but eligibility depends on the applicable law and the individual's circumstances.
• Gather relevant documents: Collect immigration notices, prior court decisions, identification, and information about family ties and immigration history.
• Seek legal advice promptly: An attorney can assess whether bond proceedings, a motion before the immigration court, an appeal, or a federal habeas corpus petition may be appropriate.

Not every detained person is eligible for bond or release, and the available options vary from case to case. An individualized review can help identify the appropriate next steps.

Get Legal Help for a Detained Loved One

If a family member is detained by ICE and you are unsure what to do next, an immigration attorney can help review the circumstances of the arrest, identify relevant court records, and evaluate potential legal options. In appropriate cases, those options may include bond proceedings or a federal habeas corpus petition challenging the lawfulness of detention.

Acting promptly can be important, particularly when the person has an existing removal order, an upcoming court date, or a history of immigration proceedings. Do not assume that locating someone in custody automatically means they can be released.