Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If you think someone has been detained by immigration authorities, there are ways to confirm their status and location. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) maintains a public detainee locator system and can be contacted directly for information. The process can be confusing, especially for families, but knowing how to search and what information to provide helps locate the detained person quickly.

Use The ICE Detainee Locator System

• ICE operates an online database called the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS), which allows you to search for adults currently in immigration custody.
• You can search by entering the person’s Alien Registration Number (A-number) and country of birth, or by using their full name, date of birth, and country of origin.
• The system works best if the person is at least 18 years old and is currently held in an ICE facility. It does not show minors or recent transfers between jails.
• The website updates daily, but may take 24 to 48 hours after detention for the person’s information to appear.

Contact The Local ICE Field Office

• If you cannot find the person online, call or visit the nearest ICE **Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)** field office in your area.
• Provide the person’s full name, date of birth, nationality, and, if possible, their A-number.
• Field offices can confirm if someone is in custody and tell you which detention center they are located in.
• Be respectful when calling and understand that ICE officers cannot share private case details without the detainee’s permission.

Check Local Jails Or County Detention Centers

• Some people are held in **local or county jails** under ICE contracts before being transferred to an immigration facility.
• You can call the jail’s booking or inmate information line to ask if ICE has a hold on that person.
• If they are listed as “in federal custody” or “ICE hold,” that means ICE has detained them or plans to transfer them soon.

Contact An Immigration Attorney

• A qualified immigration attorney can locate the detainee, confirm their legal status, and help arrange bond hearings or visitation requests.
• Attorneys can also communicate directly with ICE officers and access immigration court records to check case status.
• Legal assistance is especially important if the detainee has prior deportation orders or pending criminal charges.

Contact A Consulate Or Embassy

• Foreign consulates can help locate detained citizens and ensure they are treated properly under U.S. law.
• They can communicate with ICE on behalf of the detainee and help arrange legal or family contact.
• The detainee has the right to contact their consulate directly after being detained.

What To Do After Finding Them

• Write down the facility name, address, and phone number where the person is held.
• Ask about visiting hours, bond eligibility, and communication rules.
• If the person is eligible for a bond, an attorney can file a request for a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
• Stay in contact with the detainee and their lawyer to ensure all court deadlines and requirements are met.

To find out if someone is detained by immigration, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System or contact the nearest ICE field office. You can also check with local jails, contact the person’s consulate, or work with an immigration attorney to confirm their location and status. Having the person’s full name, date of birth, and A-number makes the search faster and more accurate.