If someone you know was taken into ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) custody in Idaho, this guide explains how to locate them through the federal detainee locator, what facilities ICE uses in Idaho, their legal rights, and how to connect them with immigration legal help quickly.
ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention is a civil process, not a criminal one. When ICE detains someone in Idaho, they are placed in administrative custody under federal immigration law, not charged with a crime. This distinction has major practical consequences: the person does not appear in Idaho county jail inmate rosters, no criminal charges are filed in Idaho state court, and no public defender is appointed because this is not a criminal proceeding.
ICE detention in Idaho begins when an ICE officer or a law enforcement officer acting under an ICE detainer agreement takes someone into immigration custody. This can happen in a variety of circumstances: after a traffic stop when a driver cannot produce lawful immigration documents, following an arrest for any other crime that reveals an immigration status issue, at an ICE check-in appointment, at a workplace enforcement action, or as part of a targeted enforcement operation.
After being taken into ICE custody, the person is transported to an ICE-contracted detention facility. Idaho does not have a dedicated ICE detention center. Instead, ICE uses contracts with county jails across Idaho and the region to hold detainees. Canyon County Jail has historically been one of the facilities with an ICE contract in Idaho. ICE may also transfer detainees to facilities in other states if Idaho facilities are at capacity.
Because ICE detention is civil, the detention is theoretically indefinite pending removal proceedings - though courts have imposed limits in practice. An immigration judge determines whether the person can be released on bond, whether they should be removed from the United States, and whether any relief from removal is available. This process is handled in Immigration Court, which operates under the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a division of the U.S. Department of Justice - completely separate from Idaho state courts.
The ICE Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov allows the public to search for people currently in ICE custody. To search, you need: the person's name (first and last), country of birth, and date of birth. If you have the person's A-Number (also called an alien registration number, which appears on immigration documents like a green card or visa), the A-Number search is faster and more accurate.
The locator only shows people currently in ICE custody who have been in the system long enough for their information to be entered. During the first 24 to 72 hours after detention, the person may not appear in the locator yet as processing takes time. If a search returns no results, try again after 24 to 48 hours, try alternate name spellings, or contact ICE directly at their public information line.
When a result is found, the locator shows the facility where the detainee is currently held and a detention phone number. This is the phone number to use to inquire about the person, schedule visits, and coordinate with the facility about their status.
Time matters in ICE detention. An immigration attorney can quickly assess what relief options exist, how to request a bond hearing, and what mistakes to avoid in the crucial first days. Idaho Legal Aid Services at (208) 746-7541 (Lewiston) and ACLU of Idaho at (208) 344-9750 can provide referrals to immigration legal help.
Despite the civil nature of ICE detention, individuals in ICE custody retain important rights that must be respected. Understanding these rights is essential for families trying to help and for detainees themselves.
Right to contact a consulate. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, any foreign national detained in the United States has the right to contact their home country's consulate. ICE is required to notify you of this right. The consulate can provide a list of immigration attorneys, may be able to provide limited assistance, and can sometimes facilitate communication with the detained person. Contact information for consulates serving Idaho is available through the U.S. State Department website.
Right to an immigration attorney at your expense. ICE detainees have the right to be represented by an immigration attorney, but the government does not provide one. This is one of the most critical differences from criminal proceedings. Families must retain private immigration counsel or find pro bono assistance. The Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can refer to immigration attorneys. Non-profit legal aid organizations serving Idaho include Idaho Legal Aid Services and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Boise.
Right to a bond hearing. In most cases, ICE detainees have the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. The judge will consider factors including family ties, community ties, employment history, criminal record, and flight risk. Bond in immigration court is separate from criminal bail and is set by the immigration judge, not a county court. An attorney can significantly improve the chances of bond being set at an affordable amount or being released on recognizance.
Right to a hearing before an immigration judge. Before being removed from the United States, the person generally has the right to a hearing before an immigration judge where they can present any available defenses - including asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or other forms of relief depending on their immigration history and family circumstances.
Right to appeal. Decisions by immigration judges can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and, in some cases, to the federal circuit court. An attorney handles appeals and can evaluate whether an appeal has merit.
Missing an immigration court hearing almost always results in an order of removal being issued in absentia - meaning the person is ordered deported without their input. In absentia removal orders are extremely difficult to reopen. If a hearing is scheduled, attend with an attorney.