T. Don Hutto Residential 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)

The T. Don Hutto Residential Center is an ICE detention facility located in Taylor, Texas The facility's address is 1001 Welch Street, Taylor, TX 76574 If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (512) 218-2400 The T. Don Hutto Residential Center is a medium-security facility that was formerly a state prison It is operated by CoreCivic under a contract with ICE The facility has a capacity of 512 detainees

The facility is currently used to detain non-US citizens awaiting the outcome of their immigration status Recent news about the T. Don Hutto Residential Center is limited. However, the facility has been the subject of criticism in the past, with reports of poor living conditions, inadequate medical care, and allegations of abuse In 2017, a government watchdog report found that the facility had "significant issues" with detainee care, including inadequate medical care and inappropriate use of solitary confinement It is important to stay informed about the current state of the facility, detainee conditions, and health issues by consulting official sources such as ICE or relevant government agencies.

The T. Don Hutto Residential Center: A Closer Look

The T. Don Hutto Residential Center (TDHRC), previously known by various names, serves as a significant facility for detaining non-U.S. citizens as they await the outcome of their immigration status. Operating in Taylor, Texas, TDHRC plays a crucial role in the immigration enforcement process. This article delves into the center's history, operational details, visitor information, feedback mechanisms, and accessibility.

## History and Ownership

TDHRC has a history dating back to its establishment in 1997. Owned and operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company, it's essential to understand the center's origins and its purpose. In 2006, the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) began housing detainees at TDHRC under the oversight of ERO's Field Office Director in San Antonio. This facility has been a significant component of the immigration enforcement system.

**TDHRC History and Ownership**: The T. Don Hutto Residential Center (TDHRC) has been serving its role since its establishment in 1997. Owned and operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company, the center has played a vital role in immigration detention since 2006 when the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) began housing detainees here under the supervision of ERO's Field Office Director in San Antonio.

## Operational Details

### Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS)
One of the key aspects of TDHRC's operation is its adherence to the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) 2011, which were revised in 2016. These standards set the guidelines for the conditions and treatment of detainees. They cover aspects like healthcare, safety, and living conditions, ensuring that detainees are treated fairly and with respect.

**Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS)**: TDHRC operates under the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) 2011, which underwent revisions in 2016. These standards provide comprehensive guidelines for the conditions and treatment of detainees, encompassing healthcare, safety, and living conditions. They are designed to ensure that detainees are treated fairly and with respect.

### Key Service Providers
TDHRC relies on various service providers to function effectively:

- **Trinity Services**: This company provides food services, ensuring that detainees receive adequate and nutritious meals.
- **ICE Health Service Corps**: Responsible for medical care, this service ensures the health and well-being of detainees.
- **CoreCivic**: This company manages commissary services, allowing detainees to purchase essential items.

**Key Service Providers**: The efficient functioning of TDHRC depends on several key service providers:
- **Trinity Services**: This company is responsible for providing detainees with food services, ensuring they receive nutritious and adequate meals.
- **ICE Health Service Corps**: This service takes care of the medical needs of detainees, ensuring their health and well-being.
- **CoreCivic**: CoreCivic manages commissary services, allowing detainees to purchase essential items.

### Accreditations
TDHRC has received important accreditations, reflecting its commitment to maintaining certain standards. It was accredited by the American Correctional Association in January 2022 and by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care in March 2021. These accreditations attest to the center's dedication to following best practices in detention.

**Accreditations**: TDHRC has been recognized for its commitment to maintaining high standards. It received accreditation from the American Correctional Association in January 2022 and from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care in March 2021. These accreditations serve as evidence of the center's dedication to following best practices in detention.

## Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Certification

In April 2021, TDHRC underwent an audit for compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Achieving DHS PREA certification is a significant milestone. This certification indicates that the center takes the prevention of sexual assault and harassment seriously, ensuring the safety and dignity of detainees.

**DHS PREA Certification**: In April 2021, TDHRC underwent a comprehensive audit to assess its compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Obtaining the DHS PREA certification is a significant achievement. It demonstrates the center's commitment to preventing sexual assault and harassment, thus ensuring the safety and dignity of detainees.

## Detainee Communication

Understanding how detainees can be reached and how they can communicate with the outside world is crucial. Here are the details:

- **Contacting Detainees**: To reach a detainee at TDHRC, you can call (512) 218-2400 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., but you need the individual’s biographical information.
- **Leaving Messages**: If you need to leave an urgent message for a detainee, you can call the same number, provide the necessary details, and the detainee will be given your message.
- **Immigration Court**: Information about immigration court matters can be obtained by calling 1-800-898-7180.
- **Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)**: If you have a matter before the BIA, call (703) 605-1007 for information.

**Detainee Communication**: Communication with detainees at TDHRC is possible through the following channels:
- **Contacting Detainees**: To reach a detainee, call (512) 218-2400 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., providing the individual’s biographical information.
- **Leaving Messages**: In case of an urgent message, call the same number, offering the required details, and the detainee will receive your message.
- **Immigration Court**: Matters related to immigration court can be addressed by calling 1-800-898-7180.
- **Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)**: If you have business with the BIA, call (703) 605-1007 for the necessary information.

## Visitation

Visitation is a vital aspect of detainees' lives and their connection to the outside world.

### Friends and Family Visits
- **Visiting Hours**: Friends and family can visit between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- **Identification**: Adult visitors must present valid government-issued identification, and minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
- **Dress Code**: There is a dress code for visitors, ensuring modest and appropriate attire.

**Friends and Family Visits**: Visitation at TDHRC plays a significant role in detainees' lives:
- **Visiting Hours**: Friends and family can visit detainees from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- **Identification**: Adult visitors are required to present valid government-issued identification, while minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
- **Dress Code**: A dress code is enforced for visitors to ensure modest and appropriate attire.

### Attorney Visits
Legal representatives can visit detainees during specified hours. These visits ensure that detainees have access to legal support.

- **Visiting Hours**: Legal representatives can visit detainees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- **

Legal Organizations**: A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations is available to detainees for legal assistance.
- **Video Teleconferencing (VTC)**: Legal representatives may request VTC meetings or legal phone calls with detainees.

**Attorney Visits**: Legal representatives have specific visitation hours to support detainees:
- **Visiting Hours**: Legal representatives can visit detainees from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
- **Legal Organizations**: A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations is available to detainees for legal assistance.
- **Video Teleconferencing (VTC)**: Legal representatives may request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or legal phone calls with detainees.

### Consular Visits
Consular officials may meet with their nationals at any time, and it's encouraged to make prior arrangements with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for a smoother process.

**Consular Visits**: Consular officials have the flexibility to meet with their nationals at any time. However, it is recommended to coordinate with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for a more efficient process.

### Clergy Visits
Clergy may also visit detainees at any time with prior arrangements.

**Clergy Visits**: Clergy members are allowed to visit detainees at any time, provided they make prior arrangements.

### Visiting Restrictions
The facility has certain restrictions in place to ensure safety and security:

- All visits are contact visits.
- Firearms and weapons are not allowed.
- Visitors under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed.
- All visitors are subject to searches, and they cannot pass items to detainees.

**Visiting Restrictions**: TDHRC has specific restrictions in place to maintain safety and security during visits:
- All visits are contact visits, allowing physical contact between visitors and detainees.
- Firearms and weapons are strictly prohibited within the facility.
- Visitors under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to visit detainees.
- All visitors are subject to searches, and they are not allowed to pass any items to detainees.

## Detainee Mail and Packages

Understanding how detainees can send and receive mail is crucial for maintaining connections with the outside world.

- **Sending Mail**: Detainees can send mail from the facility, and incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband.
- **Receiving Funds**: If detainees receive funds in the mail, the processing officer will handle them.
- **Package Delivery**: Detainees being removed from the U.S. are allowed one small piece of luggage. However, electronic devices are not accepted for security reasons.

**Detainee Mail and Packages**: Maintaining connections through mail is vital for detainees:
- **Sending Mail**: Detainees can send mail from the facility, and all incoming mail undergoes screening to detect any prohibited items.
- **Receiving Funds**: If detainees receive funds through the mail, the processing officer will manage the funds and provide a receipt.
- **Package Delivery**: Detainees who are being removed from the U.S. are allowed to have one small piece of luggage. However, electronic devices, including cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, and radios, are not accepted for security reasons.

## Feedback and Complaints

As with any facility, TDHRC values feedback from the people in its custody, their families, friends, and official representatives. Whether to express satisfaction or concerns, there are ways to provide feedback:

- Write to the Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Antonio.
- For complaints of misconduct, contact the Office of Professional Responsibility or the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center.
- Alternatively, contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.

**Feedback and Complaints**: TDHRC welcomes feedback from detainees and their connections:
- Write to the Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Antonio to share your thoughts.
- In case of complaints about misconduct, you can contact the Office of Professional Responsibility or the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center.
- You may also reach out to the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.

## Accessibility

TDHRC does not discriminate based on disability and provides necessary accommodations for individuals with special needs.

**Accessibility**: TDHRC is committed to ensuring access for individuals with special needs and does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

## Conclusion

The T. Don Hutto Residential Center plays a crucial role in the U.S. immigration enforcement system. It provides housing for non-U.S. citizens awaiting the outcome of their immigration status. Understanding its history, operational details, communication options, and visitation rules is important for both detainees and their loved ones.

In conclusion, TDHRC, like other immigration detention facilities, operates within specific guidelines and standards to ensure the well-being of detainees and maintain security.

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## FAQs

**1. What is the history of the T. Don Hutto Residential Center?**
The center, located in Taylor, Texas, was established in 1997 and is owned and operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company. It began housing detainees in 2006 under the oversight of the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in San Antonio.

**2. What are the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) 2011 (Revised 2016)?**
PBNDS 2011 (Revised 2016) are guidelines that set standards for the conditions and treatment of detainees, covering areas like healthcare and living conditions.

**3. How can I visit a detainee at TDHRC?**
You can visit a detainee during specified visiting hours, and there are different rules for friends and family, legal representatives, consular officials, and clergy visits.

**4. What is the significance of the DHS Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) certification?**
DHS PREA certification indicates that the facility is committed to preventing sexual assault and harassment, ensuring the safety and dignity of detainees.

**5. How can I provide feedback or make a complaint about TDHRC's services?**
You can write to the Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Antonio or contact the Office of Professional Responsibility and the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center for misconduct complaints. Additionally, you can reach out to the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.

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.