FDC Philadelphia

Inmates can send and receive electronic messages with individuals on their approved contact list using TRULINCS. For more information, visit: TRULINCS and CORLINKS.

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (215) 521-4000. When you call, please have the alien’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Immigration Court

For information about a matter before the immigration court, you may call 1-800-898-7180 to speak with them directly. Applications for relief from removal and other applications requested by the immigration judge must be filed directly with the immigration court.

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you may call (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours.

Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you.

To Post a Delivery Bond

Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity (valid Government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver’s license, etc.). This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents them self before an officer or representative of this agency whenever a request is made.

Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier’s checks or certified checks. For all bonds $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Submitting a G-28

G-28s filed on behalf of detainees at this facility can now be accepted through the online platform ERO eFile. Facility staff will not have access to ERO eFile at this time; legal representatives should download copies of their submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.

Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Aliens

Inmates can send and receive electronic messages with individuals on their approved contact list using TRULINCS. For more information, visit: TRULINCS and CORLINKS.

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Requests for case information pertaining to aliens detained at FDC Philadelphia can be sent to PHL-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.

Contacting the Deportation Officer

Email inquiries to the Philadelphia Field Office public-facing email inbox at Philadelphia.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov or call (215) 656-7164. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Friends and Family Visits

Visit FDC Philadelphia's web page for information about social visits.

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives can schedule a legal call by contacting: cmcole@bop.gov.

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

Monday – Friday 6:15 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Weekends and Federal Holidays 7:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For more information, visit: FDC Philadelphia's web page.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Electronic Exchange of Legal Documents

BOP has specific procedures related to when an individual in custody may receive electronic legal materials from an attorney. You can review the guidance and acceptable formats here: BOP's acceptable format guidelines for electronic materials.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the Executive Assistant, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The Executive Assistant for this facility can be reached by email at PHL-ExecAssistant-S@bop.gov.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.

Visiting Restrictions

You can only visit a detainee at this facility, if the detainee has placed you on their visitor list and you have been cleared by BOP.

The BOP has special rules regarding who can visit, the dress code, the duration of visits, general behavior, and physical contact. Please review BOP: How to visit a federal inmate for general visiting information.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (File Number), plus the sender’s name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Mail is copied and all legal mail is vetted per BOP central office guidance. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

Money cannot be sent to a detainee at the facility address. All funds sent through the mail must be addressed to a processing center in Des Moines, Iowa. Learn more about sending funds.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. Before sending packages to detainees, please review: BOP's mail guidelines.

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

The facility has a responsibility to protect the privacy and other rights of detainees and members of the staff. Therefore, interviews will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov.

Personal Interviews

A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the Philadelphia field office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with an agreement to comply with the rules and regulations of the facility as provided to that person by staff.

Detainee Consent

A detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed, or recorded by the media. Before interviewing, photographing, or recording the voice of a detainee, a visiting representative of the media must obtain written permission from that individual.

All FOIA and Privacy Act requests must be submitted on form G-639 (Freedom of Information / Privacy Act Request) or in letter format. All requests must contain the original, notarized signature of the subject in question. Please complete the form G-639 thoroughly and if writing a letter, be sure to include the full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number of the alien you are seeking information about, as well as your full name, address, and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.

Mail your FOIA or Privacy Act request to:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, D.C. 20536
Phone – 1-866-633-1182
Email – ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov

We strive to provide quality service to people in our custody, their family, friends, and to their official representatives. If you believe that we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
114 North 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may:

Contact the Field Office Director:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
114 North 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107 
(215) 656-7164

Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:

Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
P.O. Box 14475
Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20044

Contact the Joint Intake Center:

Phone Number: 1-877-2INTAKE
Email: joint.intake@dhs.gov

You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General:

DHS Office of Inspector General
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600
Washington, DC 20528
Call: 1-800-323-8603
Fax: 202-254-4292
DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV