The arrest by the Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE) is a harrowing experience for families and loved ones. Often, those close to the detained person don't know exactly what their fate has been, nor do they know how to find out.
However, There is a key and simple tool to locate people in ICE custody . This is the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS), a free and public service available on the internet .
How does the ODLS work?
The ODLS allows family members, friends, and legal representatives to search for information about the whereabouts of individuals arrested by ICE. There are two main ways to conduct a search:
1. By alien registration number, also known as “A-Number” and country of birth
“The most effective method to locate a person in the system is by using their A-Number” , explained to Enlace Latino NC Beckie Moriello, Immigration Attorney at Raleigh Immigration Law Firm.
The “A Number” is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to persons subject to immigration procedures. This number appears in the upper right corner of the Notice to Appear (Form I-862). When entering the A-Number into the ODLS, you will also need to provide the detainee's country of birth. This will help you find out where the detainee is.
“If you are detained, the first thing you should do when you talk to your family on the phone, before you say ‘I love you,’ ‘I miss you,’ or anything else, is to give them your A Number. It’s a long number that is written on every immigration document you have,” Moriello said.
This is a key number for both the detained person and their loved ones.
“If your loved one is detained, always carry a pen and paper with you to write down that “A” number. Because with that number, we can always locate the person. We know their court date. We can stay up-to-date on their case. Without it, we have no idea where they are.”
2. By name and country of birth
If you do not have the A-Number, you can also use the ODLS search engine by entering the full name and country of birth of the detainee. If you don't get any results, try variants of the name, as the system only offers exact matches.
What do the statuses “In Custody” and “Out of Custody” mean?
Once an ICE detainee appears in the ODLS search, his or her status may appear as “In Custody” or “Out of Custody.”
As the name implies, “In custody means that the person is currently detained in an ICE facility. The system will provide the name and address of the facility, as well as contact information for the ICE office. Execution and Expulsion Operations (ERO) responsible for the case .
“Out of custody,” meanwhile, can mean that the person has been released, transferred to the custody of another agency, or deported from the country.
Is it possible that the person I am looking for does not appear in the ODLS system?
Of course, the system has some limitations. For example, it does not include information on minors under 18 or people in CBP custody for less than 48 hours. It also does not reveal whether a person was expelled from the country.
For details on removal cases, family members may contact their assigned Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office. These are the offices responsible for managing detention, deportation, and immigration enforcement operations within the United States.
What should I do if the person I'm looking for isn't in the system?
First, carefully review the data entered into the system and perform new searches using variations of the name or another method. For example, if you searched by name, search by Number A, or vice versa.
If you don't get any results from the locator system, try calling or emailing your local ICE field office. These offices are also known as Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). this listing You'll find the phone number and email address for all offices. When you call or email, don't give more information than necessary. Only provide the A-number or basic information needed, such as your name and country of origin, which you would use with the online locator.
Another option is to check if the person is in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). People held there should appear in the ICE locator system. But if they don't, and the arrest occurred near a BOP facility, try calling that prison to find out. Here You will find phone numbers and addresses for each one.
You can also call the Detainee Information and Complaint Line at 1-888-351-4024.
And you can request support from your country's consulate or embassy.
What to do after locating a person?
If you find the detainee, confirm his location directly with the detention center. , as ODLS records can be up to eight hours old. Before visiting the detainee, check the facility's rules and bring official identification.
Related: How do I visit someone detained by ICE once they've been located in the system?
The Missing Migrants Program
In cases of disappearance, the Missing Migrants Program, run by the Border Patrol, offers assistance in locating and rescuing migrants in distress or reuniting deceased migrants with their families. This program works in coordination with local authorities and foreign consulates.
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