South Louisiana Correctional Center

How to Find Someone in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainee Locator

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.

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There are two ways to search for an ICE Detainee:

You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.

• An A-Number is a 9-digit number that either looks like this: A-123456789, or like this 123-456-789. This is required if you do not know their name.
  It is also called a Registration Number when on a visa, or a USCIS# when on a Green Card.
  If for whatever reason the A-Number you have does not have 9-digits, you need to add 0s (zeroes) to the front of the number until the number has 9-digits.
  That number might then look like this:  001234567.

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You can also try and look them up by using their name.

• In order for this to be effective, you need to have the exact name that is either on their paperwork, or the the name with the exact spelling that they gave ICE. This is required.
• You also need to know the country of their birth, or the country of their birth that they gave ICE. This is required.
• Knowing their Date of Birth is helpful but not required to find them in the system.

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Important things to know about using the ICE Detainee Locator

• You do not need to set up an account to use the Detainee Locator System.
• A-Number stands for 'Alien Registration Number'.
• The System does not have information on all detainees in custody.
• Juvenile names are NOT in the System.
• The Detainee Locator System is updated every 8 hours, sometimes sooner.
• If the detainee is being moved to a new facility, the new location will not be shown until they have arrived and are processed. 
• No warnings or prior notice are given in advance of a detainee being moved.
• While being transferred to a different facility they may still be shown online as being in the original facility.
• If you are planning a visit, always call before you come to confirm the detainee is still at the facility and has not been moved.
• To visit a detainee you must have some type of government issued photo ID, or other identification when photo identification is unavailable for religious reasons.
• If you are unable to find the detainee using the System, contact the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in the area where you believe the person's immigration case was initiated or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) at 888-351-4024.

Pamphlets in various languages with Instructions on how to use the Online Detainee Locator System:

• Online Detainee Locator System Brochure (PDF | 732 KB)
• Folleto del Sistema Localizador de Detenidos en Línea (PDF | 720 KB)
• Brochure du Système de recherche en ligne de détenus(es) (PDF | 739 KB)
• Folheto Informativo do Sistema Online Para Localização de Detentos (PDF | 733 KB)
• Брошюра Онлайновая Система Определения Местонахождения Задержанного (PDF | 893 KB)
• Buug yaraha Nidaamka Lagu Ogaado Halka Ay Ku Xiran Yihiin Dadka Xiran ee barta internetka (PDF | 741 KB)
• Tài Liệu về Hệ Thống Tìm Người Bị Giam Trực Tuyến (PDF | 1.3 MB)
• 被拘留者在线查询系统手册 (PDF | 1.4 MB)
• كتيب نظام تحديد مواقع المحتجزين على شبكة الانترنت (PDF | 1.3 MB)

Inside Louisiana's Major Immigration Detention Facility: A Look at the South Louisiana Detention Center

Immigration detention has become increasingly common in the United States, with dedicated facilities operated around the country by private companies contracting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). One major detention center opened in Louisiana in 2019—the South Louisiana Detention Center in Basile. Operated by the GEO Group for ICE, this facility quickly became a pivotal center for immigration enforcement in the state.

Detainee Intake and Processing

The South Louisiana Detention Center first opened in 2019 as a dedicated ICE immigration detention facility. According to facility data, the top nationalities held here are Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Colombian. Only adult female detainees are housed at this center currently. 

When detainees first arrive at the facility, they enter through the sallyport then are taken to the processing area. This large intake room is where detainees remain until individual classification and risk assessments can be completed by staff. Medical screening is also conducted during this initial processing period.

After intake, all new detainees are placed under a 14-day quarantine per COVID-19 protocols. The facility’s infirmary has six rooms that can be used for quarantine as well as suicide watch if needed. 

Housing Units and Living Conditions

The South Louisiana Detention Center has five main housing buildings labeled A through E. Each housing unit contains multiple dormitory-style rooms that accommodate groups of detainees. 

The facility has capacity to hold 1,000 detainees, though the average daily population in 2021 was less than half that—around 340 detainees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some housing blocks have been left vacant. Currently only buildings D and E are occupied.

In addition to dormitory rooms, there is a Special Management Unit (SMU) with 43 individual cells. However, the SMU has not been utilized during the past audit period.

Within the housing units, GEO Group provides food services and medical care for detainees. The facility contracts with the Union Supply Group for commissary needs. Various activities and amenities are also available to individuals in detention.

All housing areas contain security cameras that are constantly monitored from control rooms and the main facility control center.

Services and Amenities

The South Louisiana Detention Center aims to provide essential services and amenities to meet daily needs:

- **Food Service:** GEO Group handles all meals, snacks and dietary accommodations. Meals are served in central dining areas.

- **Medical Care:** GEO Group provides all medical, dental and mental healthcare. The clinic has exam rooms, dental suites, and a pharmacy.

- **Commissary:** Detainees can purchase approved items weekly through the on-site commissary run by Union Supply Group.

- **Recreation:** Indoor and outdoor recreation is offered with sports equipment. Housing units have televisions and seating areas.

- **Education:** GED preparation, basic education and ESL classes are available. Detainees can also access electronic law libraries for legal research.

- **Religion:** Detainees have access to religious services and spiritual counseling through the chaplain's office. Special diets are accommodated.

Oversight and Standards

The South Louisiana Detention Center operates under the oversight of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations New Orleans Field Office. ICE officers are assigned to the facility to handle removal proceedings.

Facility operations adhere to ICE's Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) from 2011, revised in 2016. As an added measure of accountability, the facility has achieved accreditations from both the American Correctional Association (ACA) and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

Communication and Visitation

The facility provides various means for detainees to connect with outside contacts:

- **Family Visits:** Saturday & Sunday from 8AM-5PM. 30 minutes early arrival required.

- **Attorney Visits:** Monday – Friday 8AM-7PM, Weekends and Holidays 8AM-2PM. Private rooms provided. 

- **Phone Calls:** Detainees can purchase phone cards to make domestic and international calls.

- **Video Calls:** Remote video visitation is facilitated by facility staff upon request.

- **Messages:** Urgent messages can be left with staff for delivery to detainees.

Attorneys can also schedule legal video conferences and phone calls with proper notice given. The facility has an approved process for exchanging documents with legal representatives by fax.

Accountability and Reporting 

The South Louisiana Detention Center aims to provide quality services and uphold detainee rights. Anyone with a comment or concern about the facility can contact the ICE Field Office Director for the New Orleans region:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations  
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement  
1250 Poydras Suite 325  
New Orleans, LA 70113

Formal complaints about officer misconduct can be submitted to the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility or the DHS Office of Inspector General. Hotline contact information is provided to detainees.

What Sets Apart Louisiana's Major Detention Center

As a dedicated ICE immigration detention center that opened in 2019, the South Louisiana Detention Center plays a crucial role in immigration enforcement for Louisiana and surrounding states. With capacity for 1,000 detainees, it remains a sizable facility.

Oversight mechanisms like the 2011 PBNDS standards, ACA and NCCHC accreditation, and avenues for formal grievances aim to ensure proper treatment. However, immigration advocates continue to criticize detention conditions and limited access to legal counsel. It remains to be seen how immigration policy shifts could impact the function and population of this major regional detention center going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

**What are the visitation hours at the South Louisiana Detention Center?**

Visitation hours are:
- Family Visits: Saturday & Sunday 8AM-5PM 
- Attorney Visits: Monday – Friday 8AM-7PM, Weekends and Holidays 8AM-2PM
- Consular & Clergy Visits: By prior arrangement

**What standards does the facility operate under?**

The South Louisiana Detention Center adheres to ICE's 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards, revised in 2016. The facility is also accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

**How can I locate or communicate with a detainee?** 

Call the center at (318) 668-5900 between 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday to inquire about a detainee. You must provide biographical details like legal name, A-number, birthdate. Visitors can only bring approved items for detainees with prior arrangement.

**How do I file a complaint about officer misconduct?**

You can contact the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility or DHS Office of Inspector General to formally report officer misconduct at immigration detention facilities. Hotline numbers are posted at the center.

**What options exist for legal counseling while detained?**

Attorneys can schedule in-person visits, video calls, or legal phone calls with detainees with proper notice given to the facility. A list of pro bono legal aid groups is also provided.

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:

• committed a crime, or multiple crimes
• arrived at the border without a visa prior to formally applying for asylum or refugee status
• an outstanding removal (deportation) order on record, either pending or past due, or
• missed prior immigration hearing dates.

 

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:

• the person’s full name as it appears in the ICE System. The exact spelling and the order of how the name is listed is required.
• the person’s date of birth
• the person’s country of birth

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)

• Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude (see list). This includes any attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime. It does not include crimes that were committed that the illegal immigrant committed when they were under the age of 18 years, however the person must have been released from jail more than five years before applying for a visa or other immigration benefit. It also does not include crimes for which the maximum penalty did not exceed one year in prison and the person was not, in fact, sentenced to more than six months in prison.
• Conviction or admission of a controlled substance violation, whether under U.S. or foreign law. This includes any conspiracy to commit such a crime.
• Convictions for two or more crimes (other than purely political ones) for which the prison sentences totaled at least five years. This multiple-offense ground of inadmissibility applies whether or not the convictions came from a single trial and whether or not the offenses arose from a single scheme of misconduct or involved moral turpitude.
• Conviction of or participation in (according to the reasonable belief of the U.S. government) controlled substance trafficking. This includes anyone who knowingly aided, abetted, assisted, conspired, or colluded in illicit drug trafficking. It also includes the spouse, son, or daughter of the inadmissible applicant if that person has, within the last five years, received any financial or other benefit from the illicit activities, and knew or reasonably should have known where the money or benefit came from.
• Having the purpose of engaging in prostitution or commercialized vice upon coming to the United States, or a history, within the previous ten years, of having engaged in prostitution.
• Procurement or attempted procurement or importation of prostitutes, directly or indirectly, or receipt of proceeds of prostitution, any of which occurred within the previous ten years.
• Assertion of immunity from prosecution after committing a serious criminal offense in the U.S., if the person was thus able to depart the U.S. and has not since submitted fully to the jurisdiction of the relevant U.S. Court.
• Commission of particularly severe violations of religious freedom while serving as a foreign government official.
• Commission of or conspiracy to commit human trafficking offenses, within or outside the U.S., or being a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with such a trafficker according to the knowledge or reasonable belief of the U.S. government. Also inadmissible are the spouse, son, or daughter the applicant if they, within the previous five years (but when older than children), received financial or other benefits from the illicit activity and knew or reasonably should have known that the money or other benefit came from the illicit activity.
• Conviction of an aggravated felony, if the person was removed from the U.S. and seeks to return (this ground of inadmissibility lasts for 20 years)
• Seeking to enter the U.S. to engage in money laundering, or a history of having laundered money, or having been (according to the knowledge of the U.S. government) a knowing aider, abettor, assister, conspirator, or colluder with money launderers.

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.