Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (585) 344-6500 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 (585) 344-6500 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

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.

Nationwide pro bono representatives listing →

Sending a Non-Confidential Message to a Detained Noncitizen

This facility has ICE Talton Tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at gettingout.com/help.

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.”

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Requests for case information pertaining to noncitizens detained at the Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center be sent to BTV-dutyofficer@ice.dhs.gov. This mailbox does 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 Buffalo Federal Detention Facility Duty Officer to obtain that information at BTV-dutyofficer@ice.dhs.gov. 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 non-citizens 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

Visitation Hours are as follows:

Mondays - Fridays
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturdays & Sundays
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

• To ensure adequate time to process visitors through security, all visitors must be checked in by 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. respectively.
• Visitors must present a valid verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.
• Visits shall not exceed 1 hour.
• 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.
• Adult visitors must present a valid, verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the facility.

Attorney Visits

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

In-Person Visitation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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 | Virtual Attorney Visitation

Legal representatives may request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients by email at BFDF-VAV@outlook.com. The VAV desk officer will email back with a confirmed date and time. Please see the flyer for details.

The email should include:

• Legal representative’s full name
• Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s), and email address
• Detainee’s name
• Detainee’s alien number
• A few proposed times/dates for the requested virtual legal visit 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.

All appointments for virtual legal visits or phone calls should be made 48 hours prior to the desired appointment time. Appointments are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and are in 30 to 60-minute increments. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of virtual legal visit 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 virtual legal visits 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.

For additional questions about this process, please contact the Buffalo Service Processing Center facility line at (585) 344-6500.

Electronic Exchange of Legal Documentation

When timely communication through the mail is not possible, the facility administrator may, in his or her discretion, allow for a reasonable amount of communication between the legal representative and their detained noncitizen client.

For faxes sent by legal representatives to noncitizens:

• The following fax number may be used to receive and transmit legal paperwork: (585) 201-7619.
• Legal representatives transmitting documents must include a cover sheet containing the name of sender, the name of the Law Office, the address, the name and identification number of the detained noncitizen, the sender’s return fax number, the number of pages and the date.
• Incoming faxes will be placed in a sealed envelope with the noncitizen's name and A# written on the outside. The documents will be inspected for contraband but not read.  The legal mail will be delivered to the noncitizen.  All facsimile legal electronic communication requests will be processed during normal business hours Monday through Friday excluding holidays. The transmission verification report which indicates that the fax was successfully sent will be maintained and filed by staff and a copy provided to the noncitizen. 

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 (585) 344-6500.

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 Deportation Officer at the facility at:

Buffalo Federal Detention Facility
4250 Federal Drive
Batavia, NY 14020

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.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of sexual abuse or assault. ICE maintains a Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention (SAAPI) Program that ensures effective procedures for preventing, reporting, responding to, investigating, and tracking incidents or allegations of sexual abuse or assault against individuals in ICE detention. ICE is committed to safety and security in all its detention and holding facilities.

ICE provides detainees and their attorneys, family, friends, and associates multiple ways to report sexual abuse, retaliation for reporting sexual abuse, or staff neglect or violations of responsibilities that may have contributed to such incidents. Third parties not connected to a detainee can also report these allegations. Reports are confidential and may be made anonymously, both verbally and in writing.

The following link provides information regarding how to report detainee sexual abuse, SAAPI related ICE regulation and policies, DHS PREA facility audits, and SAAPI statistics.

ICE/PREA

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 Buffalo Field Office, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations, indicating familiarity with and 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
130 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14202

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 at:

Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
130 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York (716) 843 7600

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