When a loved one is detained by immigration authorities, the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Families often don’t know
where the person was taken, how to contact them, or what steps to take next. If you’re searching for someone who has been arrested by immigration officers, this guide explains
how to locate a detainee, what information you’ll need, and how to protect their legal rights.
Why It’s Hard to Locate Someone After an Immigration Arrest
After an immigration arrest, a person may be transferred
between facilities, turned over to
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), or placed in
short-term detention. These moves often happen without notice, leaving families confused and worried.
Understanding the process is the first step in finding them.
Step 1: Use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System
The first place to search is the
ICE Detainee Locator. You can search in two ways:
- Using the A-Number (starts with the letter “A” followed by 9 digits)
- Using the full name and country of birth
Important: If the name was entered incorrectly by authorities, you may need to try several combinations (first and last names reversed, spelling variations, etc.).
Note: Minors, survivors of certain crimes (T or U Visa), or recently detained individuals may not appear in the system right away.
Step 2: Contact your local ICE office
If the person doesn’t appear in the system, you can call or email the
local ICE field office in your area. These offices are known as
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Tip: If you manage to speak with someone, write down the officer’s name and keep a record of everything they share. If no one answers, try calling multiple times throughout the day.
Step 3: Check if they’re in a federal prison
Since 2025, ICE has also been using
federal prisons to detain individuals in immigration proceedings. You can search for your loved one using the
BOP Inmate Locator.
If they don’t appear there, try calling the federal prison closest to where the person was arrested.
Step 4: Contact the consulate (with caution)
In many cases, detained individuals have the right to contact the consulate of their home country. You can reach out to ask if they’ve received any information.
Warning: If your loved one fears their home government or is seeking asylum, do
not contact the consulate, doing so could put them at risk.
Step 5: What if they were sent to Guantánamo?
In very rare and extreme cases, ICE has transferred detainees to the
Guantánamo Bay Naval Base.
If you believe your loved one may be there, you can contact the government’s legal office for that facility:
ICE Guantánamo Bay Legal Division
Email:
ICE.Guantanamo@ice.dhs.gov
Phone:
(305) 437-5486
You can also contact the
American Bar Association’s immigration disappearance hotline at:
1-855-641-6081
What to do when you locate them
- Contact us at Eagan Immigration at 202-709-6439.
- Support their release by gathering letters, evidence of their life in the U.S., and community support.
- Do not sign anything without legal advice. Many people unknowingly sign deportation orders.
If you need guidance or help evaluating your legal situation, you can call our team at
202-709-6439. We offer
free evaluations and are here to support you with clarity and compassion.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
