How to Find Someone Detained by ICE
Use the official ICE Online Detainee Locator to search for someone who may be in ICE custody. You can search with an A-Number or with the person's identifying information. This guide shows you what to enter and what to do if no result appears.
Reviewed by Paul Nello Romero · Updated August 22, 2026
What You Need Before Searching
Depending on how you search, have the following information available:
If you have the A-Number, ICE recommends using it. If not, you can search using the person's biographical information.
Choose the Instructions You Need
Pick the option that matches what you have.
Search with an A-Number
The A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is a number the U.S. government assigns to certain people. You might find it on immigration documents or notices from DHS, USCIS, ICE, or an immigration court.
Source: ICE Online Detainee Locator System. Interface shown for educational purposes and may change.
How to Complete the A-Number Search:
A-Number
Enter the numerical digits requested. Do not include the letter 'A,' spaces, or punctuation. If the number has only eight digits and the official system requires nine, add a zero at the beginning.
Country of Birth
Select the country where the person was born, not their current residence or nationality if it is different from their birthplace.
Search without an A-Number
Use this option if you don't have the person's A-Number. Fill out the form on the ICE website using information that matches their records.
Source: ICE Online Detainee Locator System. Interface shown for educational purposes and may change.
How to Complete the Name Search:
The ICE Online Detainee Locator does not provide records for people under age 18.
What the ICE Locator Can and Cannot Tell You
The locator can show you certain things, but other details you'll need to confirm separately.
What the locator can show
- •Whether the person currently appears in ICE custody
- •Custody and detention-location information available in the ICE system
- •Basic identifying information
What the locator can't do
- •Whether the person is eligible for release
- •Whether an immigration bond is available
- •The current immigration bond amount
- •The legal strategy or case outcome
- •Give legal advice
What to Do if No Record Is Found
A 'no record found' result doesn't always mean the person isn't in custody. Try these steps before assuming they're not in the system.
Check every A-Number digit.
Verify the date and country of birth.
Check the full legal name and possible surname variations.
If the person was recently taken into CBP custody, keep in mind that the locator is intended to include people who have been in CBP custody for more than 48 hours.
Consider whether the person may be in local, federal, CBP, or another form of custody rather than currently appearing in the ICE locator.
Contact the appropriate ICE ERO field office when sufficient information is available.
What to Do After Finding the Person
If the locator shows a result, these steps can help you confirm what you found and figure out what to do next.
Write down the person's full legal name and A-Number.
Record the detention facility and location shown.
Contact the facility directly to confirm current custody and facility procedures.
Confirm whether an immigration bond has been set and verify the current amount through an appropriate official source.
Consult a qualified immigration attorney for legal questions, eligibility, hearings, or legal strategy.
If the immigration bond amount has been confirmed, contact Amistad for help posting the immigration bond.
Ready to Post the Immigration Bond?
If you know the bond amount, Amistad can help you post the immigration bond. We'll explain the costs and requirements, prepare the bond documents, and handle the electronic submission through ICE eBonds.
Have this information available:
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about using the official ICE detainee locator
Sources and Content Transparency
Reviewed by: Paul Nello Romero
Last reviewed: August 22, 2026
Government pages and procedures can change. We suggest checking the current instructions directly on the ICE website.
Amistad Bail Bonds is a private immigration bond agency. We're not connected to ICE, DHS, or the U.S. government. We don't give legal advice. For questions about eligibility, hearings, or legal strategy, talk to a qualified immigration attorney.