Otay Mesa Detention Center

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.

Post a Bond

Submitting a G-28

G-28s filed on behalf of detained aliens 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 

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

Other Legal Access Related Communications

Attorneys can submit a G-28 form to OMDC-G28@ice.dhs.gov Deportation Officers can be reached at Otay Mesa Detention Center duty line at (619) 661-3823. Please note that this mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals. OMDC does not have an email address to request case information.

Contacting the Deportation Officer

To ascertain the identity of your client’s Deportation Officer, contact the Otay Mesa Detention Center (OMDC) to obtain that information at OMDC Duty line (619) 661-3823. Please note that a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.

Friends and Family Visits

Currently there are no contact or social video visit for family & friends due to the pandemic. See the schedules below for pre-pandemic hours.

Video Visitation seven days a week

Contact Visitation Schedule and Procedures (ICE Only)

Attorney Visits

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

Monday – Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.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.

Legal Representative Video Teleconferencing | Virtual Attorney Visitation

Legal representatives may request Virtual Attorney Visitation (VAV) meetings or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients by emailing: OMDCLegalVisit@corecivic.com. Otay Mesa Detention Center facility staff will email back with a confirmed date and time.

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 (optional but preferred)
• A few proposed times/dates for the requested virtual legal visit
• 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 virtual legal visits by dialing (619) 671-8724.

All appointments for virtual legal visits should be made 24 hours prior to the desired appointment time. Appointments are scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily (excluding holidays) and are in 30 to 60-minute increments. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of VTC 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. 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 attorneys and their staff are not permitted to video or audio record during any virtual or on-site visit with detainees at the facility. Any violation of this rule 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 alien and their designated legal representative.

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

Legal representatives can send legal correspondence a OMDCLegalVisit@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 alien. Within the email the legal representative should include the following information and a cover sheet for the attachment that includes the:

• Alien 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 daily from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily 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 Otay Mesa Detention Center Duty line (619) 661-3823.

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: Detainee is required to submit a Package Authorization Form to OMDC CoreCivic’s Unit Management, and form is required to be approved by ICE. Before sending packages to the detainees.

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. All media requests should be submitted through ICE OPA at ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov 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
880 Front Street #2242
San Diego, CA 92101

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
880 Front Street #2242
San Diego, CA 92101

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