Transfers Can Happen Without Warning
ICE can transfer detainees at any time, often without advance notice to family or attorneys. Regular monitoring is essential.
Understanding Transfers
Why Transfers Happen
ICE transfers detainees between facilities for various reasons:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Facility overcrowding |
| Court location | Moving closer to immigration court |
| Medical needs | Transfer to facility with medical care |
| Classification | Security level changes |
| Deportation staging | Moving closer to departure point |
| Contract changes | Facility contracts ending |
| Requests | Detainee or attorney requests (rarely granted) |
Transfer Impacts
Transfers can significantly disrupt immigration cases:
- Attorney access - May lose contact with current attorney
- Court hearings - Case may be moved to different court
- Evidence gathering - Harder to collect local evidence
- Family visits - May be moved far from family
- Medical care - Treatment may be interrupted
- Commissary funds - May be delayed in transfer
Monitoring for Transfers
Daily Monitoring Routine
If your loved one is at high risk of transfer:
Morning check:
- Call the facility - Confirm they're still there
- Check ICE Locator - locator.ice.gov
- Try to call them - No answer may indicate transfer
Signs of possible transfer:
- Phone calls suddenly stop
- Commissary account shows different facility
- Video visits become unavailable
- Mail is returned
ICE Detainee Locator
The ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) is your primary tool:
- Website: locator.ice.gov
- Updates: Usually within 24-48 hours of transfer
- Search by: A-Number or name + date of birth + country
Limitations:
- Not real-time (can be days behind)
- May not show during active transfer
- Brief holds may not appear
EOIR Court Hotline
Immigration court records may update faster than ICE:
- Phone: 1-800-898-7180
- Information: Hearing dates, court location, case status
- Useful for: Determining if case was moved to new court
When a Transfer Happens
Immediate Steps
Hour 1-2:
- [ ] Search ICE Locator - May not be updated yet
- [ ] Call original facility - Ask where transferred
- [ ] Call ICE ERO: 1-888-351-4024
- [ ] Contact attorney - They may have been notified
Within 24 hours:
- [ ] Keep checking ICE Locator - Check every few hours
- [ ] Call likely facilities - Based on court location or region
- [ ] Check EOIR hotline - See if court location changed
- [ ] Document everything - Times, who you spoke with, what they said
Within 48-72 hours:
- [ ] Set up new accounts - Phone, commissary at new facility
- [ ] Update attorney - Provide new location
- [ ] Notify family - Share new contact information
- [ ] Request transfer records - Through attorney if possible
Finding Them After Transfer
If ICE Locator doesn't show them:
Step 1: Call original facility
- Ask: "Where was [name] transferred to?"
- Get: Transfer date, destination facility, transport method
Step 2: Call ICE ERO
- Phone: 1-888-351-4024
- Provide: A-Number, full name, date of birth
- Ask: Current facility location
Step 3: Call regional facilities Search facilities in the same region or near their immigration court:
- ICE Detention Facility Locator
- Call each facility and ask if person is there
Step 4: Check with attorney Attorneys on the case should be notified of transfers:
- Check if Notice of Transfer was filed
- Attorney can file inquiry with court
Transfer Rights
What ICE Must Do
Under detention standards, ICE should:
- [ ] Notify attorney of record (Form G-28)
- [ ] Transfer commissary funds
- [ ] Transfer property with detainee
- [ ] Provide medical records to new facility
- [ ] Maintain medication continuity
What Often Goes Wrong
In practice, transfers frequently cause problems:
| Issue | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Attorney not notified | File complaint with facility and ICE |
| Commissary funds delayed | Contact both facilities in writing |
| Property lost | Document everything, file claim |
| Medication interrupted | Request emergency medical attention |
| Court date missed | Attorney should file motion to reschedule |
Fighting Problematic Transfers
Some transfers may be challenged:
Transfers that disrupt legal representation:
- Attorney can file motion to stay transfer
- Document impact on case preparation
- Argue violation of due process
Medical transfers (or lack thereof):
- Request transfer for medical care
- Document denied medical needs
- File complaint with DHS OIG
Retaliatory transfers:
- Document timeline (complaint → transfer)
- Report to DHS OIG: 1-800-323-8603
- Notify advocacy organizations
High-Risk Transfer Situations
Before Deportation
Transfers often precede deportation:
Warning signs:
- Transfer to facility near airport/border
- Travel document being prepared
- Case denied or appeal exhausted
- Removal order finalized
What to do:
- Contact attorney immediately
- Check if emergency stay is possible
- Gather documentation for appeal
- Contact advocacy organizations
- Prepare family for possible deportation
During Appeals
Transfers during active appeals can harm cases:
- Request attorney file motion to prevent transfer
- Document how transfer will impact case
- Keep copies of all case documents
After Filing Complaints
If transfer follows abuse complaint:
- This may be retaliation (prohibited)
- Document the timeline
- Report to DHS OIG
- Contact advocacy organizations
- Notify attorney
Communication After Transfer
Re-establishing Contact
After locating them at new facility:
-
Find facility contact info
- ICE Detention Facilities List
- Get phone provider, visitation rules, mailing address
-
Set up new accounts
- Register with new phone provider
- Create video visit account
- Learn new commissary process
-
Send introductory mail
- Include your contact information
- Provide attorney contact info
- Ask them to call you
-
Update all contacts
- Notify family members
- Update attorney
- Inform advocacy organizations
Commissary Fund Transfers
Commissary funds should transfer, but often are delayed:
- Document balance before transfer (if possible)
- Contact original facility - Confirm funds were sent
- Contact new facility - Ask about receiving timeline
- Follow up in writing if delayed more than 2 weeks
- Send new funds if needed while waiting
Regional Transfer Patterns
Common Transfer Routes
ICE often transfers within regions:
Southwest Border:
- Processing centers → Interior facilities
- Common moves between TX, AZ, NM facilities
Northeast:
- Transfers between NJ, NY, PA facilities
- Moves to facilities near Newark immigration court
Southeast:
- FL, GA, LA facilities frequently exchange
- Transfers to staging facilities before deportation
West Coast:
- CA facilities (Adelanto, Mesa Verde, Otay Mesa)
- Transfers to AZ for deportation staging
Pre-Deportation Staging Facilities
Transfers to these locations may indicate imminent deportation:
| Location | Facilities |
|---|---|
| Texas | Port Isabel, El Paso |
| Arizona | Florence, Eloy |
| Louisiana | Jena, LaSalle |
| California | Otay Mesa |
Advocacy and Legal Help
Organizations That Can Help
| Organization | Focus | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom for Immigrants | Detention monitoring | 9233# from detention |
| RAICES | TX cases, transfers | 1-833-468-4664 |
| CLINIC | Legal network | cliniclegal.org |
| ACLU Immigrants' Rights | Rights violations | aclu.org |
Filing Complaints About Transfers
If a transfer violated rights or standards:
- Document everything - Dates, impacts, who you contacted
- Facility grievance - File at both facilities
- ICE ERO complaint - Contact local field office
- DHS CRCL - dhs.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint
- DHS OIG - 1-800-323-8603 (for serious violations)
Transfer Tracking Worksheet
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TRANSFER TRACKING LOG │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ DETAINEE INFORMATION: │
│ Name: _____________________________________│
│ A-Number: A-_______________________________│
│ Attorney: _________________________________│
│ Attorney Phone: ___________________________│
│ │
│ TRANSFER RECORD: │
│ │
│ Date: ____________ │
│ From: _____________________________________│
│ To: _______________________________________│
│ Confirmed by: _____________________________│
│ New phone provider: _______________________│
│ New address: ______________________________│
│ ___________________________________________│
│ │
│ Date: ____________ │
│ From: _____________________________________│
│ To: _______________________________________│
│ Confirmed by: _____________________________│
│ New phone provider: _______________________│
│ New address: ______________________________│
│ ___________________________________________│
│ │
│ IMPORTANT CONTACTS: │
│ ICE ERO: 1-888-351-4024 │
│ ICE Locator: locator.ice.gov │
│ EOIR Court: 1-800-898-7180 │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Quick Reference
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ TRANSFER QUICK GUIDE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ IF CONTACT IS LOST: │
│ 1. Check ICE Locator: locator.ice.gov │
│ 2. Call original facility │
│ 3. Call ICE ERO: 1-888-351-4024 │
│ 4. Contact attorney │
│ 5. Check EOIR: 1-800-898-7180 │
│ │
│ AFTER LOCATING: │
│ 1. Set up new phone account │
│ 2. Learn new facility rules │
│ 3. Send mail with contact info │
│ 4. Update attorney │
│ 5. Follow up on commissary funds │
│ │
│ WARNING SIGNS OF DEPORTATION: │
│ • Transfer to border facility │
│ • Travel documents being prepared │
│ • Final removal order issued │
│ → Contact attorney IMMEDIATELY │
│ │
│ MONITOR DAILY IF HIGH RISK: │
│ • Morning: Call facility │
│ • Afternoon: Check ICE Locator │
│ • Evening: Attempt phone call │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘