The Florence Service Processing Center (FSPC) is one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the United States, housing thousands of individuals undergoing removal proceedings. Operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), this Arizona detention center has faced scrutiny over its conditions and treatment of detainees. This article provides an in-depth look into FSPC’s operations, population, access policies, and more to shed light on the experiences within its walls.
History and Oversight
The Florence Service Processing Center opened in 1983 specifically to detain immigrants in ICE custody. Owned and operated by ICE, the facility falls under the jurisdiction of the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office and the ERO Field Office Director in Phoenix.
FSPC operates under ICE’s 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards, which outline requirements for security, detainee care, activities, grievances, and more. ICE employs an on-site administrator to oversee daily operations and a team that provides food, medical care, and other services to its detainees.
In 2022 and 2023, the facility received accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and American Correctional Association. It also became one of ICE’s certified facilities under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) for its sexual abuse and assault prevention policies.
Detainee Population and Demographics
While ICE keeps specific population numbers confidential, the Global Detention Project reported that FSPC held approximately 26,898 detainees on a single day in 2023. With a massive capacity, it is one of the largest immigrant detention centers in the nation.
The majority of detainees are adult males, and most come from Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The average length of detention is currently around 55 days according to TRAC Immigration as individuals await the outcomes of their removal cases.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about overcrowding and medical care access for FSPC’s large detainee population. However, ICE maintains it follows national detention standards for housing and services.
Visitation Policies and Access
For detainees going through removal proceedings, visitation and communication with loved ones can provide critical support. FSPC allows visitation seven days a week with some policies to facilitate access:
* Friends and Family: Visits must be scheduled for one hour maximum per day, but extra time can be approved for long-distance travelers. Photo ID is required, and minors must be accompanied by adults.
* Legal Counsel: Attorneys can visit detainee clients daily from 8am to 7pm, including holidays, to provide legal representation.
* Consular Officials: Consulates can meet with detainees from their nations at any time with prior notice and credentials.
* Clergy: Religious leaders need to coordinate with the Chaplain’s Office to schedule spiritual visits.
Security rules apply, such as screenings for contraband and prohibitions on passing items directly to detainees. Visitation can be denied for safety reasons or failure to comply with facility guidelines.
Communication via Mail
Detainees at FSPC can send and receive letters through the mail. with some regulations in place:
* Incoming letters are inspected but not read and must include the recipient’s ID number.
* Outgoing letters can be sealed by detainees and mailed from provided boxes.
* Postage allowance is provided for indigent detainees who cannot pay.
* Packages must be pre-approved by ICE and are restricted for security reasons.
When detainees are released or transferred, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. All other general mail received after their departure will be returned to sender.
Preventing Sexual Abuse and Assault
ICE maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and assault within its detention facilities. The agency’s Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention (SAAPI) program establishes procedures to prevent, report, investigate, and track any incidents at FSPC and other centers.
Detainees can report abuse confidentially in writing or verbally to the facility or ICE. Third parties can also make reports if they become aware of concerning activity. ICE investigates all allegations while protecting the privacy rights of victims and whistleblowers involved.
Providing Feedback and Reporting Concerns
Here is an expanded section on providing feedback and reporting concerns about the Florence Service Processing Center:
Providing Feedback and Reporting Concerns
Immigration and Customs Enforcement provides several official channels for the public to submit either positive or negative feedback about the Florence Service Processing Center's operations, detainee treatment, and any other issues or concerns.
If you wish to comment on the services provided at FSPC or make a complaint of staff misconduct, you have the following options:
**Contact the Field Office Director in writing:**
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2035 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
**File a written complaint to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility:**
Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
P.O. Box 14475
Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20044
**Call or write to the DHS Office of Inspector General Hotline:**
DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Hotline Phone: 800-323-8603
Hotline Fax: 202-254-4292
You can also contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC) hotline at 1-833-4ICE-OPR or [email protected].
When submitting complaints, be sure to provide as much detail as possible, including:
- The nature of the complaint or feedback
- Dates, times, and location of any incidents
- Identities and/or descriptions of any individuals involved
- List of any witnesses or supporting evidence
Your report will be formally investigated by the relevant ICE offices and units. All complaints remain confidential, and individuals can choose to report anonymously if preferred.
Voicing concerns through official ICE channels helps promote accountability and transparency in its detention facilities. However, you also have the right to make reports to other entities such as non-profit immigrant advocacy organizations or elected officials.
While ICE aims to maintain proper conditions and treat all detainees fairly, they also encourage hearing feedback from the public to identify any areas for improvement. Speaking out about misconduct and violations at detention facilities like the Florence Service Processing Center can support positive change in the U.S. immigration enforcement system.
Final Thoughts
With thousands of detainees processed through its doors each year, the Florence Service Processing Center remains a critical piece of the U.S. immigration enforcement system. This inside look at its operations, population, visitation policies, communication access, abuse prevention, and oversight provide the public with greater understanding of this prominent ICE detention center. Shedding light on places like FSPC promotes transparency around U.S. immigration policy and the treatment of detainees as they await their futures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I locate someone detained at Florence Service Processing Center?
To find out if someone is being detained at FSPC, you can call the facility at 520-868-5862 between 8am and 4pm and provide the individual's biographical details, including name, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth. The facility staff can check the detainee roster and confirm if the person is housed there.
- What items can detainees have mailed to them at FSPC?
All mail sent to detainees is screened, so items allowed will be limited. Pre-approved packages can contain necessary travel items or clothing that will be inspected before delivery. No cash, electronics, or contraband will be accepted.
- How do I send money to a detainee in Florence Service Processing Center?
Friends and family cannot directly send cash to detainees at FSPC. You can deposit funds into their facility account by mailing a money order to the Florence Service Processing Center, 3250 North Pinal Parkway, Florence, AZ 85132. Include their ID number and name. The funds will then be available for them to use at the detention center.
- What should I do if I want to make a complaint about detainee treatment at FSPC?
You can contact the ICE Field Office Director in Phoenix, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, or the DHS Office of Inspector General to lodge a complaint or concern about mistreatment at FSPC. Your report will be investigated according to ICE procedures.
Phone: 520-868-5862
Physical Address:
Florence Service Processing Center
3250 North Pinal Parkway
Florence, AZ 85232
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Florence Service Processing Center
3250 North Pinal Parkway
Florence, AZ 85232
Other Jails and Prisons
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
The Florence Service Processing Center (FSPC) is one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the United States, housing thousands of individuals undergoing removal proceedings. Operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), this Arizona detention center has faced scrutiny over its conditions and treatment of detainees. This article provides an in-depth look into FSPC’s operations, population, access policies, and more to shed light on the experiences within its walls.
History and Oversight
The Florence Service Processing Center opened in 1983 specifically to detain immigrants in ICE custody. Owned and operated by ICE, the facility falls under the jurisdiction of the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office and the ERO Field Office Director in Phoenix.
FSPC operates under ICE’s 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards, which outline requirements for security, detainee care, activities, grievances, and more. ICE employs an on-site administrator to oversee daily operations and a team that provides food, medical care, and other services to its detainees.
In 2022 and 2023, the facility received accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and American Correctional Association. It also became one of ICE’s certified facilities under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) for its sexual abuse and assault prevention policies.
Detainee Population and Demographics
While ICE keeps specific population numbers confidential, the Global Detention Project reported that FSPC held approximately 26,898 detainees on a single day in 2023. With a massive capacity, it is one of the largest immigrant detention centers in the nation.
The majority of detainees are adult males, and most come from Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The average length of detention is currently around 55 days according to TRAC Immigration as individuals await the outcomes of their removal cases.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about overcrowding and medical care access for FSPC’s large detainee population. However, ICE maintains it follows national detention standards for housing and services.
Visitation Policies and Access
For detainees going through removal proceedings, visitation and communication with loved ones can provide critical support. FSPC allows visitation seven days a week with some policies to facilitate access:
* Friends and Family: Visits must be scheduled for one hour maximum per day, but extra time can be approved for long-distance travelers. Photo ID is required, and minors must be accompanied by adults.
* Legal Counsel: Attorneys can visit detainee clients daily from 8am to 7pm, including holidays, to provide legal representation.
* Consular Officials: Consulates can meet with detainees from their nations at any time with prior notice and credentials.
* Clergy: Religious leaders need to coordinate with the Chaplain’s Office to schedule spiritual visits.
Security rules apply, such as screenings for contraband and prohibitions on passing items directly to detainees. Visitation can be denied for safety reasons or failure to comply with facility guidelines.
Communication via Mail
Detainees at FSPC can send and receive letters through the mail. with some regulations in place:
* Incoming letters are inspected but not read and must include the recipient’s ID number.
* Outgoing letters can be sealed by detainees and mailed from provided boxes.
* Postage allowance is provided for indigent detainees who cannot pay.
* Packages must be pre-approved by ICE and are restricted for security reasons.
When detainees are released or transferred, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. All other general mail received after their departure will be returned to sender.
Preventing Sexual Abuse and Assault
ICE maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and assault within its detention facilities. The agency’s Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention (SAAPI) program establishes procedures to prevent, report, investigate, and track any incidents at FSPC and other centers.
Detainees can report abuse confidentially in writing or verbally to the facility or ICE. Third parties can also make reports if they become aware of concerning activity. ICE investigates all allegations while protecting the privacy rights of victims and whistleblowers involved.
Providing Feedback and Reporting Concerns
Here is an expanded section on providing feedback and reporting concerns about the Florence Service Processing Center:
Providing Feedback and Reporting Concerns
Immigration and Customs Enforcement provides several official channels for the public to submit either positive or negative feedback about the Florence Service Processing Center's operations, detainee treatment, and any other issues or concerns.
If you wish to comment on the services provided at FSPC or make a complaint of staff misconduct, you have the following options:
**Contact the Field Office Director in writing:**
Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
2035 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
**File a written complaint to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility:**
Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
P.O. Box 14475
Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20044
**Call or write to the DHS Office of Inspector General Hotline:**
DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Hotline Phone: 800-323-8603
Hotline Fax: 202-254-4292
You can also contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC) hotline at 1-833-4ICE-OPR or [email protected].
When submitting complaints, be sure to provide as much detail as possible, including:
- The nature of the complaint or feedback
- Dates, times, and location of any incidents
- Identities and/or descriptions of any individuals involved
- List of any witnesses or supporting evidence
Your report will be formally investigated by the relevant ICE offices and units. All complaints remain confidential, and individuals can choose to report anonymously if preferred.
Voicing concerns through official ICE channels helps promote accountability and transparency in its detention facilities. However, you also have the right to make reports to other entities such as non-profit immigrant advocacy organizations or elected officials.
While ICE aims to maintain proper conditions and treat all detainees fairly, they also encourage hearing feedback from the public to identify any areas for improvement. Speaking out about misconduct and violations at detention facilities like the Florence Service Processing Center can support positive change in the U.S. immigration enforcement system.
Final Thoughts
With thousands of detainees processed through its doors each year, the Florence Service Processing Center remains a critical piece of the U.S. immigration enforcement system. This inside look at its operations, population, visitation policies, communication access, abuse prevention, and oversight provide the public with greater understanding of this prominent ICE detention center. Shedding light on places like FSPC promotes transparency around U.S. immigration policy and the treatment of detainees as they await their futures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I locate someone detained at Florence Service Processing Center?
To find out if someone is being detained at FSPC, you can call the facility at 520-868-5862 between 8am and 4pm and provide the individual's biographical details, including name, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth. The facility staff can check the detainee roster and confirm if the person is housed there.
- What items can detainees have mailed to them at FSPC?
All mail sent to detainees is screened, so items allowed will be limited. Pre-approved packages can contain necessary travel items or clothing that will be inspected before delivery. No cash, electronics, or contraband will be accepted.
- How do I send money to a detainee in Florence Service Processing Center?
Friends and family cannot directly send cash to detainees at FSPC. You can deposit funds into their facility account by mailing a money order to the Florence Service Processing Center, 3250 North Pinal Parkway, Florence, AZ 85132. Include their ID number and name. The funds will then be available for them to use at the detention center.
- What should I do if I want to make a complaint about detainee treatment at FSPC?
You can contact the ICE Field Office Director in Phoenix, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, or the DHS Office of Inspector General to lodge a complaint or concern about mistreatment at FSPC. Your report will be investigated according to ICE procedures.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Florence Service Processing Center" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Florence SPC.
