Houston Contract Detention Facility

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (281) 449-1481 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (281) 449-1481 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

This facility has ICE tablets. You access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: Help Center - GettingOut.

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.”

Sending Non-Confidential Messages to Detained Noncitizens

This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at: gettingout.com.

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Requests for case information pertaining to noncitizens detained at the Houston Contract Detention Facility be sent to Houston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.

Contacting the Deportation Officer

To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the ERO Houston, Houston Contract Detention Facility to obtain that information at (281) 985-8400. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Submitting a G-28

G-28s filed on behalf of detained noncitizens 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.

Friends and Family Visits

Sundays through Wednesdays
Males: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Females: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursdays through Saturdays
Males: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Females: 7 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Segregation Visits
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (everyday)

Visitation days will alternate according to the last digit of the detainee's A# number whether EVEN or ODD.

CCA/HPC provides an opportunity for you to have one (1) visit per week (Monday-Sunday) for up to one (1) hour of non-contact visitation with family and friends according to the schedule. If there are more visitors than can be accommodated in the visiting room, it may be necessary to limit visits to lesser periods of time. Visiting periods can also be shortened due to security risks, count or other unanticipated events.

For approval for visits on days that are not scheduled for your dorm or for extended visits due to long distance travel or other extenuating circumstances, submit a Request for Information form to the Chief of Security.

If visitor(s) bring children (seventeen (17) years of age or under) they are expected to remain under the direct supervision of the adult visitor(s) so they will not disturb others who have visitor(s). Only two (2) adults and two (2) minor children (ages seventeen (17) and under) will be allowed to visit at a time, as space is limited.

You should discourage visitors from bringing large quantities of hand carried items. The visitor(s) may be required to leave certain items in a locker or in their vehicle. All visitors and item(s) are subject to search.

You will need to notify visitors of these hours and procedures and that they must bring a government issued picture I.D. (for ages eighteen (18) and up) in order to be allowed to visit.

Visitors must be in appropriate and socially acceptable attire. The following clothing is prohibited: Shorts, above mid-thigh mini skirt, short dresses, tank tops, sleeveless shirts and any see-through clothing during visitation.

Adult visitors must present a valid, verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Minors must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area.

Attorney Visits

Attorneys and/or paralegals of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

Seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., including holidays.
On the day of court, legal representatives may arrive as early as 6:30 a.m.

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.

Video Teleconferencing

Legal representatives may request Virtual Attorney Visitation (VAV) meetings or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients by filling out and submitting the VAV request form to houstoncourtvisitation@corecivic.com. A CoreCivic staff member will email back with a confirmed date and time. Please see the posted flyer for details.

The email should include:

• Legal representative’s full name
• Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s), email address, and Zoom call-in number
• Detainee’s name
• Detainee’s alien number
• A few proposed times/dates for the requested VTC session
• A scan of the legal representative’s government issued identification
• A scan of the legal representative’s identification or documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative, such as a state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal status.
• A scan of the attorney’s DHS Form G-28 (unless this is a pre-representational)
• If a legal assistant is the only legal representative to join the call, the email should also attach a letter of authorization on the firm’s/organization’s letterhead and a scan of the assistant’s identification.

Legal representatives may also schedule VAV meetings by faxing (281) 449-3021. Please note that legal representatives will be asked to provide, via fax, the required bar card/accreditation documents prior to scheduling the virtual attorney visit.

All appointments for VAV meetings or fax calls should be made 24 hours prior to the desired appointment time. Appointments are scheduled 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are in 30 to 60 minute increments. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of VAV appointments they can request, but no legal representative is permitted more than one 60-minute appointment with a detainee in a single day.

The same guidelines for in-person attorney/client visits will apply to VAV meetings and legal calls. Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters will be allowed; no family or friends of the clients are permitted. The attorney and/or his/her agents may contact outside interpretation services during the call or session. The sessions will be confidential; a visitation officer will be stationed outside of the confidential room to ensure security by standing out of earshot but within eyeshot. The officer will knock 5 minutes before the cut off time.

Please be advised that legal representatives and their staff are not permitted to video or audio record during any virtual or in-person visit or any call with non-citizens at the facility. Any violation of these rules may result in suspension or a permanent revocation of VAV user privileges.

Electronic Exchange of Legal Documentation

When timely communication through the mail is not possible, the facility administrator may, in his discretion, allow for a reasonable amount of electronic written communication by means between the detained noncitizen and their designated legal representative.

Faxes/Emails Sent by Legal Representatives to the Attention of Detained Noncitizens

Legal representatives can send legal correspondence to houstoncourtvisitation@corecivic.com. Legal Representatives should make clear in the subject line that it is legal correspondence/mail and include as an attachment the specific documents/forms that the legal representative wants the facility to deliver to the detained noncitizen. Within the email the legal representative should include the following information and a cover sheet for the attachment that includes the:

• Noncitizen full name
• A-Number
• Sender’s return fax number
• Total number of pages sent
• Notate the correspondence is “Legal Mail”

The documents will be inspected for contraband, but not read. The legal mail will be delivered to the detainee. All legal electronic communication requests will be processed during normal business hours daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. excluding holidays.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (281) 985-8400.

Clergy Visits

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

Visiting Restrictions

• All family or other social visits are non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
• All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

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. 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.

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,

Contact the Chief of Security at the facility at:

Corrections Corporation of America
15850 Export Plaza Drive
Houston, Texas 77032

(281) 449-1481

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 Houston Field Office, 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
126 Northpoint Drive
Houston, TX 77060

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
126 Northpoint Drive
Houston, TX 77060
(281) 774-4968

Write the Office of Professional Responsibility:

Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street, SW
Suite 1049
Mailstop 5099
Washington, DC 20536-5005

Contact the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC):

1-833-4ICE-OPR
ICEOPRIntake@ice.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