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Attorney Information and Resources

Attorney Information and Resources

Attorney Information and Resources

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) seeks to enhance noncitizen access to legal representation and resources while in ICE custody.

The Attorney Information and Resources page increases and improves the accessibility of legal resources, information and programs of interest available to legal representatives or family members seeking legal resource information on behalf of detained noncitizens. This resource is designed to provide answers to frequently asked questions regarding legal representation and resources.

Communicating with Your Client or Prospective Client

Locating a Detained Noncitizen — Information regarding the location of detained noncitizens may be accessed using the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). The ODLS only has information for detained noncitizens who are currently in ICE custody or who were released from ICE custody within the last 60 days. However, ODLS does not provide location information about everyone in ICE custody.

Safety, security and agency discretion prevent some detained noncitizens from appearing in the ODLS. For example, juveniles (detained noncitizens under the age of 18) do not appear in the system. Additionally, some noncitizens may not be entered into the ODLS immediately after they are detained, depending on processing and upload time.

Note: Use of the ODLS requires the detained noncitizen’s full name and A-number or date of birth and country of origin.

  • If you cannot locate the detained noncitizen using ODLS, please contact the appropriate ICE field office using the contact information below.
  • If you have additional questions about the ODLS, informational brochures are available online.

Legal Mail — Legal mail includes mail to/from legal representatives, courts and embassies/consulates, government attorneys, members of Congress, as well as representatives of the news media, among others.

Legal mail must be labeled as “special correspondence” or “legal mail” and the title and office of the sender (for incoming mail) or addressee (for outgoing mail) must be clearly written on the envelope. Legal mail is forwarded to detained noncitizens when they are released or transferred. Legal mail is subject to limited inspection.

Some facilities may have additional protocols for receiving legal mail. Please check with the facility before sending to ensure the correspondence meets facility requirements.

Legal Visits — Legal representatives, legal assistants, and their interpreters may visit clients or prospective clients. Please note that the same rules and requirements for in-person legal visitation also apply to virtual legal visitation.

Hours — Legal visitation is permitted seven days a week (including holidays) for a minimum of eight hours a day on regular business days (Monday-Friday) and for four hours a day on weekends and holidays. To obtain the visiting hours for a specific facility use the Detention Facility Locator to locate the facility and look under the “Hours of Visitation” tab. Facilities may also consider requests for extended visits or visits outside normal hours.

Identification of the Detained Noncitizen — Identification of a detained noncitizen by the A-number is not required, though preferred. The facility must make a good-faith effort to identify the specific detained noncitizen with other personal identifying information.

Documentation and Identification — A DHS Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, is required when providing legal representation to an individual in immigration removal proceedings. A DHS Form G-28 is not required for legal representatives representing detained noncitizens on non-immigration related legal matters or for pre-representational meetings.

  • In addition to a government photo ID, legal representatives may be required to show a bar card or other documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative — state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal document.
  • For law students or legal assistants, a letter from the legal representative under whom they are working may also be required.

Privacy — Visits between a legal representative and a detained noncitizen are confidential and not subject to auditory supervision. Private consultation rooms may be available for these meetings. For safety and security purposes, detained noncitizens are supervised within eyeshot but out of earshot during legal visitation.

Documents and Materials — Documents and materials provided to a detained noncitizen during legal visitation shall be inspected but not read. Detained noncitizens may retain these materials for their personal use.

Noncitizen Communication Services (NCS) Free Call Platform — All detained noncitizens have access to a free call platform that includes telephone numbers of legal service providers who are listed on the EOIR list of pro bono legal service providers.

  • Free calls are also available to consular officials and various government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
  • Each facility is required to post updated free call lists in all housing units.

Please refer to the Noncitizen Communication Services page for frequently asked questions.

Legal Calls — Detained noncitizens are unable to receive incoming calls. To leave an urgent message for a detained noncitizen, please see instructions on the facility’s page. In locations where tablets are in use, some detained noncitizens may be able to receive a non-confidential text messages from legal representatives.

  • Scheduling calls or visits with your client: Some facilities may have processes in place through which legal representatives may schedule confidential communications via phone calls, video teleconference, or in-person visits with their clients and prospective clients.
  • These calls and meetings are private and not subject to auditory monitoring. Please contact the specific facility for more information.

Requests for Unmonitored Calls — All calls from housing unit phones are subject to monitoring, unless otherwise stated. Each facility must have a written procedure for obtaining unmonitored legal calls. Please contact the facility for additional information.

Requesting Unmonitored Legal Calls (Talton Phone Provider Locations) — Legal service providers may request that legal phone calls and video calls from a detained noncitizen be unmonitored and unrecorded. To register a legal service provider phone number at a specific facility location (at Talton phone provider sites only), the legal service provider can fill out the form: Adding Attorney Numbers to the Talton System (en Español). The form can then be emailed to: ICEsupport@talton.com.

  • Note: This form is also available to noncitizens in multiple languages at ICE detention facility locations.
  • For Talton Phone Provider locations, see the list in Free Minutes section below.

Cost of Detained Noncitizen-Initiated Calls — Each facility provides detained noncitizens with access to reasonably priced telephone services based on federal and state regulations at rates comparable to those charged to the public.

  • Please contact the facility for additional information on the procedure for adding funds to a detained noncitizen’s phone account.
  • Special considerations exist for indigent detained noncitizens regarding access to phone calls.

Accommodations for Detained Noncitizens with Disabilities — Consistent with ICE detention standards, each facility is required to engage in an interactive and individualized process to consider whether a detained noncitizen with a disability needs any accommodation to access facility programs, activities, or services, including telephone access or language interpretation services to communicate with counsel.

  • Auxiliary aids and services, such TTY devices or accessible telephones, are provided to detained noncitizens with communication disabilities on the same terms as provided for detained noncitizens without any communication impairment.

Exchange of Documents

In-Person: Documents and materials provided to a detained noncitizen during legal visitation are inspected but not read. Detained noncitizens may retain these materials for their personal use. Each facility’s written legal visitation procedures must include a process for the exchange documents between a detained noncitizen and a legal representative even when contact visitation is not available.

Electronic Means: Some facilities have implemented procedures to allow electronic exchange of documents between detained noncitizens and legal representatives.

Virtual Attorney Visitation Program

ICE implemented Virtual Attorney Visitation in some detention facilities across the country to improve access to legal representatives.

  • More information on the Virtual Attorney Visitation Program is available online.

Virtual Attorney Visitation Program Overview and FY 2023 Accomplishments Fact Sheet

Tablets at ICE facilities

Tablets are available to most detained noncitizens in ICE facilities, via the ICE Noncitizen Communications Service provider Talton Communications Inc. (Talton), or through other ICE tablet or kiosk systems provided by ICE detention contracts. More information on which facilities have tablets can be found on ICE’s Tablets page.

Communicating with ICE

Submission of Form G-28 — G-28s on behalf of detained noncitizens or minors should be submitted through ERO eFile. G-28s filed on behalf of non-detained noncitizens should continue to be submitted directly to the field office where the docket is located.

E-Service of Documents with OPLA Field Offices — ICE eService is the electronic service of documents between the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) field locations and respondents, or their legal representatives, through a dedicated internet-based portal. ICE eService is a voluntary option for those individuals who would like to take advantage of serving documents related to an immigration court matter on an OPLA field location electronically. ICE eService is only for the electronic service of documents to an ICE OPLA field location and does not allow for the electronic filing of documents with the immigration courts or the Board of Immigration Appeals.

For technical issues with the eService portal, please email ICEeService@ice.dhs.gov.

Online Change of Address Tool — The ICE Online Change of Address form gives noncitizens the option to update their information online in addition to the existing options of doing so by phone or in-person. For noncitizens in removal proceedings pursuant to Section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the interactive online tool, upon submission of a valid mailing address, will be directed to information on how to change their address with the immigration court as required, using the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Form EOIR-33, Change of Address/Contact Information, which may be submitted by mail, in-person at the immigration court, or online through EOIR’s Respondent Access. The EOIR-33 is currently available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Punjabi.

To determine if a noncitizen still needs a notice to appear, ICE will run system checks to make sure the noncitizen is not already in removal proceedings pursuant to Section 240 of the INA, does not have an affirmative asylum application pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and does not already have a final order of removal.

Noncitizens eligible for, but who have not yet received a notice to appear – meaning those who were released on conditional parole with an alternative to detention – may be prompted to state whether they want to receive their notice to appear by mail or to in person by scheduling an appointment at an ERO field office.

To process an online change-of-address, the system requires a full name, A-number and validated non-commercial address. It should take approximately one minute to complete the form. All noncitizens in the United States, except A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors, must also report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of relocating.

Obtaining Case Status Information — For information on ICE-related case matters (status of parole requests, status of travel documents, the scheduling of a credible fear or reasonable fear screening), please contact your client’s deportation officer.

  • If the identity of the deportation officer is not known, contact the field office or facility to obtain that information.
  • Note: A Form G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Submission of Parole or Bond Request — For information about the method by which parole or bond requests must be submitted, please contact the relevant field office.

Posting Bonds — Bonds for detained noncitizens may be posted at ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time.

  • A list of ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you can be found online.
  • Additional information is available on each facility website.

Bond Refunds — To determine the status of your bond, please contact your local ERO office. For information regarding how to obtain a refund on a bond that has been cancelled or breached, email the Financial Operations of the Department of Homeland Security Debt Management Center at bondrefund.helpdesk@ice.dhs.gov or call 1-802-288-7600 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET and follow the prompts for bond information to speak with someone

  • Please include your bond number or A-number with your request.

Other Legal Resources Available to Noncitizens in ICE Custody

Scheduling Calls with Clients — Some facilities may have processes in place through which legal representatives may schedule confidential communications via phone calls, video teleconference, or in-person visits with their clients or prospective clients.

  • These calls and meetings are private and not subject to auditory monitoring.
  • Please contact the specific facility for more information.

Law Library — Noncitizens in ICE detention centers have access to law libraries for at least five hours per week. These libraries often contain comprehensive legal materials (see Appendix A of PBNDS 2011 Section 6.3 for a list of required resources) and are equipped with computers, printers and photocopiers.

Detained noncitizens may submit written requests for legal material not available in the law library. The ICE Electronic Law Library (ELL) also includes a number of additional resources specific to immigration matters: Legal Orientation Program (LOP) materials, DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) complaint information, pro se hand-outs and other topical material, country condition reports, detention standards and policy information, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms, legal service provider information from EOIR and Immigration Advocates Network (IAN), and toolkits and resources for parents or legal guardians.

  • Additionally, detained noncitizens can electronically store legal research and documents.

Detainee Telephone System (DTS) Free Call Platform — All detained noncitizens have access to a free call platform that includes telephone numbers of legal service providers who are listed on the EOIR list of pro bono legal service providers.

  • Free calls are also available to consular officials and various government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
  • Each facility is required to post updated free call lists in all housing units.

Please refer to the Noncitizen Communication Services page for frequently asked questions.

DOJ EOIR Legal Orientation Program — Through EOIR’s Legal Orientation Program, representatives from nonprofit organizations provide comprehensive explanations about immigration court procedures along with other basic legal information to large groups of detained noncitizens in ICE custody. The program typically comprises four components:

  • Group Orientation: Provides an interactive general overview of immigration removal proceedings, forms of relief, and is open to frequent questions.
  • Individual Orientation: Unrepresented individuals can briefly discuss their cases with experienced LOP providers and pose more specific questions.
  • Pro Se Workshops: Those with potential relief or those who wish to voluntarily depart the country are provided guidance on specific topics, such as how to complete an asylum application or prepare for a bond hearing, and given self-help legal materials.

Referral to Pro Bono Services — In 2020, EOIR added an LOP Information Line, available to call for free from detention facilities, where detained noncitizens can receive limited LOP services and request LOP resources and other self-help materials.

DOJ EOIR’s National Qualified Representative Program — EOIR’s National Qualified Representative Program is a nationwide program to provide Qualified Representatives (QRs) to certain unrepresented and detained respondents who are found by an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals to be mentally incompetent to represent themselves in immigration proceedings.

American Bar Association Know Your Rights Materials — All detained noncitizens have access to American Bar Association (ABA) Know Your Rights (KYR) manuals available in all languages via the ELL. Many facilities routinely show ABA KYR videos in English, Spanish, or French, or make it available upon request.

ICE Legal Resource Flyer — The following resource fliers comply with information for hotlines, websites, reference materials for legal representation and immigration court information.

Other Legal Resources Available to Non-Detained Noncitizens

Legal and Other Resources Flyer

The following resource flyer compiles information to answer the following questions: Where can I get free legal help? Where can I learn about my legal rights and immigration options? Where can I get general assistance? Where can I get help from ICE?

How to Change Your Address

To change your address with ICE use the ICE Online Change of Address form or contact the ICE Victims Engagement and Services Line at 1-833-383-1465 or ice-gov.com/VESL to connect with an operator for assistance.

For cases already filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), noncitizens are also required to change their address with the court by submitting a Form EOIR-33, Change of Address with EOIR.

Step-by-step instructions are also available through the following flyers:

National Social Service Resource Flyer

List of Immigration Court Helpdesks

The Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Immigration Helpdesks provide pro se respondents with orientations regarding the immigration court process, help completing court documents, and assistance in finding pro bono representation. Go to EOIR's List of Immigration Court Helpdesks web page for more information.

Contact Legal Access Team

Prior to contacting ICE headquarters, you must first try to resolve your request or concern at the field office level: ERO Field Offices and Outreach Email Boxes.

If you need further assistance after contacting the field, you may contact the ERO Legal Access team via the secure ERO Contact Form. Please select “Legal Access” in Type of Inquiry.

Contact Information and Additional Resources

ERO Field Offices and Outreach Email Boxes

ICE Detention Facilities

ICE Headquarters — Prior to contacting ICE headquarters, you must first try to resolve your request or concern at the field office level: ERO Field Offices and Outreach Email Boxes.

If you need further assistance after contacting the field, you may contact the ERO Legal Access team via the secure ERO Contact Form. Please select “Legal Access” in Type of Inquiry.

ICE Case Review

Detention Reporting Information Line — The Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) is a toll-free service that provides a direct channel for external stakeholders to communicate with ERO to answer questions and resolve concerns.

Stakeholders may reach the DRIL by dialing 1-888-351-4024. Live operators are available Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). Language assistance, including Spanish operators, is also available.

  • Detained noncitizens are also able to call the DRIL from facility phones using the DTS free call platform.

Legal Access-Related ICE Detention Standards — To see which set of ICE detention standards is applicable to a certain facility, please download the Facility List spreadsheet.

For specific information, please see detention standards.

Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review

  • Immigration Court — For information about a matter before the immigration court, please call 1-800-898-7180. Applications for relief from removal and other forms or documents requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.
  • EOIR’s Automated Case Information Application — Allows users to receive the latest information about a case after inputting a unique alien registration number. Available information includes next scheduled hearings, decision information at the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) levels, and court and BIA contact information. Immigration courts’ operating statuses are also included.
  • List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers — To be included on the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers, please see the EOIR website for more information on eligibility and procedure. You may also download the application (Form EOIR-56) from the EOIR website.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — For information on matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Status of a U or T Visa application, etc. — contact the local field office.

  • If there is no response, call the USCIS Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
  • If problems continue, contact the USCIS Ombudsman.

Litigation

ICE posts all relevant case information on their Legal Notices webpage.

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