When someone you care about is taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the fear and confusion can feel overwhelming. You may not know where they are, what facility they were transported to, or what comes next. The single most important first step is locating the detained person as quickly as possible so you can confirm their safety, understand visitation options, and begin exploring legal representation.
MayesTelles Attorneys, home of the 602-LAWYERS, helps Arizona families facing immigration detention understand the process and protect their rights.
Below, you will find a step-by-step walkthrough of how to use the ICE detainee locator, which ICE detention facilities are associated with Arizona, what happens after someone is detained by ICE, and when to contact an attorney.
Immediate Steps: Using the ICE Detainee Locator
ICE operates an Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) that can identify the detention center where a person is being held and provide contact information for the facility and the responsible Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office.
How to Use the ICE Detainee Locator
You can search the system using either of two methods:
- A-Number and country of birth — The A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is the most reliable search option. It appears on prior immigration documents, Notices to Appear, and certain correspondence from USCIS or ICE.
- First name, last name, and country of birth — If you do not have an A-Number, enter the person's exact legal first and last name along with the country of birth. The system uses exact-match searching, so even small spelling differences may prevent a match.
You can review the full ICE Online Detainee Locator System instructions on the ICE website.
Limitations to Know
- Delays — ICE states that ODLS information may be up to eight hours old. A person who was recently detained may not appear in the system right away.
- Missing records — Not every detained person will show up in the locator. Individuals under 18 and some people who have not yet been fully processed may be excluded.
- A missing record does not mean release — If the locator returns no match, that alone does not establish that the person has been released or is no longer in custody.
If the ODLS does not return information, contact the ICE Phoenix Field Office directly at (602) 257-5900 or email Phoenix.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. The Phoenix Field Office is located at 2035 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, and lists Arizona as its area of responsibility. You may also call the facility where you believe the person may be held.
What Happens After Someone Is Detained by ICE
After ICE detains a person in the Phoenix area, the process generally follows several stages.
- Processing and temporary holding — The person is typically brought to a processing location, which may include the ICE Phoenix office at 2035 N. Central Avenue. Current reporting describes this Phoenix location as a processing or temporary holding site rather than a long-term detention facility. The classification and length of stay at this location should not be treated as settled without current official confirmation.
- Transfer to a detention facility — After initial processing, ICE transfers the person to a longer-term immigration detention facility. In Arizona, common destinations include facilities in the Florence and Eloy areas.
- Admission and documentation — ICE's admission-and-release procedures require that specific forms and orders be completed before a detainee is released, removed, or transferred. This includes an appropriate Order to Detain or Release.
- Bond or custody review — Depending on the circumstances, a detained person may be eligible for a bond hearing before an immigration judge. Eligibility depends on the individual's immigration history, charges, and other case-specific factors. There is no guarantee that any particular person will qualify for release, bond, parole, or another form of relief.
"When a loved one is detained, families often want to know two things: where the person is and whether they can come home. Locating them is the first step, but understanding their immigration history and the reason for detention is just as important. We want to help families separate what is known from what still needs to be confirmed, so they can understand the next steps without relying on assumptions or promises.” -Taylor Renfro
Immigration Attorney at MayesTelles Attorneys
ICE Detention Facilities in Arizona
Official ICE facility pages identify the following detention centers as associated with the Phoenix Field Office:
- Eloy Detention Center — Contact: (520) 466-4141
- Florence Service Processing Center — Contact: (520) 868-5862
- Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center — Contact: (520) 868-9095
Each facility maintains its own visitation hours, messaging or tablet availability, mail instructions, and contact information. ICE describes this information as available on the individual facility's official page. Before traveling to a detention center, families should:
- Confirm the person is still at that facility by calling the facility directly or rechecking the ICE detainee locator.
- Verify current visitation rules, required identification, dress codes, and hours.
- Check whether video visitation is available.
Facility rosters, operating arrangements, and phone numbers are subject to change. You can review the official ICE detention facilities directory on the ICE website for updated contact details.
Understanding the ICE Detainee Transfer Process
ICE can transfer a detained person between covered detention facilities. The ICE detainee transfer process includes specific procedural requirements:
- Notification to counsel — When a represented detainee has a properly executed and filed Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance), the sending field office is generally required to notify the counsel of record about the transfer. This notification should include the reason for the transfer and the new facility's contact information, generally no later than 24 hours after transfer.
- Exclusions — The transfer notification standard excludes certain intake-processing movements and facilities authorized for less than 72 hours of detention.
- Locator updates — After a transfer, there may be a delay before the ICE detainee locator reflects the person's new location. Families should contact the listed facility or the Phoenix Field Office if information appears outdated.
Transfers can make it harder for families to maintain communication and for attorneys to represent their clients. If you learn that a loved one has been moved, confirming their new location and establishing contact as soon as possible is important for continuity of legal representation.
How Legal Counsel Can Help
An attorney familiar with immigration and criminal defense matters can assist a detained person and their family in several ways:
- Locating the detained person when the ICE detainee locator does not return information and family members are unsure of the person's status.
- Filing a Form G-28 to establish counsel of record, which triggers ICE's obligation to provide transfer notifications.
- Evaluating bond eligibility and representing the detained person at a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
- Reviewing removal proceedings and identifying any defenses, forms of relief, or procedural protections that may apply.
- Addressing criminal-immigration crossover issues — A prior criminal charge or conviction can affect immigration detention, bond eligibility, and removal proceedings in significant ways.
Every case depends on individual facts and circumstances. No attorney can guarantee a particular outcome, and this article provides general legal information rather than advice for any specific situation.
MayesTelles Attorneys has more than 200 years of combined experience and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. The firm's attorneys include former prosecutors and law enforcement professionals who understand how both sides of the legal system work. Learn more about the team on the Who We Are page.
FAQ's:
How can I find someone detained by ICE in Arizona?
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator with the person's A-Number and country of birth, or with their exact first and last name and country of birth. If no match appears, the person may not yet be in the system or may be excluded from the locator. Contact the ICE Phoenix Field Office at (602) 257-5900 or reach out to a known facility directly.
Which ICE detention facilities are commonly associated with the Phoenix Field Office?
Official ICE pages currently identify the Eloy Detention Center, Florence Service Processing Center, and Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center as facilities associated with the Phoenix Field Office. Facility assignments and contracts can change, so confirm the person's current location through the ICE detainee locator and the facility's official page before traveling.
Can ICE transfer a detained person to another facility?
Yes. ICE has documented procedures for transfers between covered detention facilities, including requirements for records and transfer documentation. When a represented detainee has a properly filed Form G-28, ICE's transfer standard generally calls for notifying counsel of record about the new facility and contact information no later than 24 hours after the transfer.
What should a family member do if the ICE locator does not show a detained person?
Double-check the spelling and identifying information, then search again. ICE states that locator data may be up to eight hours old and that some people may not appear immediately. Contact the Phoenix Field Office, the ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line, or a known facility. A missing locator record does not by itself mean the person has been released.
When should a family contact MayesTelles Attorneys about an ICE detention?
A family may contact MayesTelles Attorneys for a free consultation when a loved one is detained, transferred, or facing removal proceedings and the family needs legal information about possible next steps. Call (602)-714-7900 for a free, confidential consultation. The facts and available options depend on the individual case.
Protect Your Family's Rights — Talk to an Attorney Today
If a loved one has been detained by ICE in Arizona, time matters. Understanding where they are, what their rights are, and what options may be available can make a meaningful difference in the days ahead. The immigration team at MayesTelles Attorneys, home of the 602-LAWYER, is available around the clock to answer your questions. Call (602)-714-7900 for a free, confidential consultation, or contact MayesTelles Attorneys online. We are here when your family needs help the most.