💔 Visiting a Loved One in Detention: What You Need to Know

Visiting someone you love in an immigration detention facility is not something anyone prepares for—but when the time comes, knowledge can be your strength. This guide was created for our community, by people who’ve been there. It’s meant to help you navigate the process with dignity, love, and clarity.

📞 Step 1: Call Ahead & Know Your Rights

Before you go, always call the facility:

• Confirm visiting hours (they can change without notice).

• Ask if your loved one is eligible for a visit, especially if it’s your first time.

If you're visiting for the first time, or you’re from out of state, here’s what you need to know:

💡 First-Time & Out-of-State Visits:

• First-time visitors are allowed one unscheduled visit.

• Out-of-state visitors may qualify for a two-hour visit – ask the front desk.

• After that, your loved one must submit a visit request and select "out-of-state."

  • Visit requests can only be submitted Monday through Wednesday.

🎒 Step 2: What to Bring & How to Prepare

✅ What You MUST Bring:

• A valid, unexpired government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport).

• Your vehicle’s license plate number – everyone in the group needs this for check-in.

🍽 Eat Before You Arrive:

• Visits can last 2 hours or more. Eat a full meal beforehand.

• No food or drinks allowed past security.

• Vending machines are available in the lobby, but you’ll need to leave snacks in lockers.

👕 Step 3: Dress Code is Strict

To pass security and be allowed into the visit, follow these rules closely:

❌ Not Allowed:

• Ripped jeans, shorts, tank tops

• Clothing that is khaki, red, blue, or green

• Jewelry, hoodies (even thin ones), open-toe shoes

• See-through or revealing clothing

✅ Recommended:

• Modest, solid-color clothing (black, gray, or white)

• Closed-toe shoes

• A sweater or long-sleeve shirt (no hoodies) – it's cold inside due to the AC

📋 Step 4: Know Your Loved One’s Details

Ask about:

• Their A-number (9-digit immigration ID)

• The color of their uniform, which reflects custody level:

  • Green/Khaki = low-level detainees

  • Yellow/Red = high-security or higher monitoring

These colors can give you insight into how they're being treated and watched.

💔 Step 5: Be Emotionally Prepared

Nothing prepares you for seeing someone you love in that uniform.

You’re there to offer strength, but be aware:

• If emotions become too intense, staff can end the visit early.

• You’re allowed one hug when you arrive, and one hug when you leave.

• The entire visit happens across a barrier—no additional contact allowed.

❤️ A Message to You

One hug. One moment. A heartbeat between fences. You carried strength into a place built to break it. You reminded them that love reaches further than walls. This isn’t the end—just a pause. Keep going. Share this. No one should walk this path alone. You are not alone. And neither are they.

🔍 How to Locate Your Loved One (ICE Locator)

Use ICE’s official detainee search tool at:👉 locator.ice.gov

You’ll need:

Option 1:

• Their A-number (add leading zeroes if needed)

• Country of birth

Option 2:

• Full legal name

• Date of birth

• Country of birth

⚠️ Information must be exact. Even one typo means no results.👶 Minors under 18 will not show up in the system.📞 If you can’t find them, contact your local ICE field office and keep checking—they may not appear right away.

You're Not Alone❤️

We hope this helps you feel a little more grounded and a lot more empowered. Detention is meant to isolate, but love builds bridges even here.

If this helped you, please share it. Let’s make sure no one walks into a detention facility without support.

Special thank you!: Thank you, Ada, for courageously sharing this vital information and helping our community feel less alone.

For more detailed information, use Northwest Justice Project's Pamphlet.