Navigating the ICE Detainee Locator System: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families
Finding a loved one or family member who has been detained by immigration authorities in the United States can be a daunting and stressful experience. To aid in this process, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an online detainee locator system that is accessible to the public. This system allows family members, legal representatives, and other concerned individuals to locate those who have been detained by ICE. In this blog post, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to use this system effectively.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Begin by visiting the website www.immigrationattorneyssandiego.com. Here, you’ll find a user-friendly interface with a clear option labeled “Locate a Detainee.” This button is your gateway to the ICE online detainee locator system.
Step 2: Language Selection
The ICE detainee locator system initially displays information in English. However, for those more comfortable with Spanish, the language can be easily changed by selecting Spanish from the options in the upper left corner of the page.
Step 3: Choose Your Search Method
There are two primary ways to search for a detainee:
By Alien Number (A-Number): This is a 9-digit number assigned to a person by the Department of Homeland Security. If the A-Number is less than 9 digits, add zeros at the beginning to complete the number. You will also need to know the detainee’s country of birth.
By Biographical Information: Here, you will need to input the detainee’s full legal name and country of birth exactly as they were recorded at the time of detention. Additionally, the detainee’s date of birth (month, day, and year) is required.
Step 4: Solve the Verification Puzzle
To ensure security and authenticity, you will be prompted to solve a simple math problem. This step is crucial to verify that you are a real person seeking information, not a robot or an automated system attempting to access data.
Step 5: Reviewing Search Results
Once you’ve entered the required information and passed the security check, the system will display the detainee’s location if they are in the ICE database. It’s important to remember that the system will only show results for individuals who are currently in ICE custody.
Important Considerations
Accuracy is Key: Make sure all the information entered is accurate and matches the records of the detained individual.
Limited Information for Minors: The system does not provide information on detainees under 18 years of age.
Name Variations: If the initial search does not yield results, try different name variations, especially if there’s a possibility that the detainee might have used an alias.
Locating a detained family member or friend can be an emotional journey, but understanding how to navigate the ICE detainee locator system can make the process a little easier. We hope this guide helps you in your search.