Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE)

Detainees at immigration detention facilities have been captured by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. These detainees are noncitizens that the law allows to be removed back to their home country. During the removal process, ICE will house the detainees at one of the immigration detention facilities across the country.

These facilities are similar to jails or prisons because they house detainees in confined areas, but they do so safely and humanely. Visitation is allowed at these facilities, phone calls from detainees are permitted, and most facilities allow the ability to deposit money into a detainee’s account. Most of the detainees here are awaiting trial or further proceedings to determine whether they will be deported from the United States.

Locating A Detainee At Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE)

Unfortunately, there is no online system that will allow you to locate a detainee at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE). Unlike state and federal prisons that allow for easy online lookup of an inmate through an inmate locator tool, locating a detainee at an immigration detention facility is much more of a manual process. However, it can still be done if you have the correct information.

To locate a detainee at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE), you will need to call the facility at 956-547-1789. You will have to talk to a staff member to help you locate the person for whom you are searching. You will need as much information about the detainee as possible. At a minimum, you should have their first and last name, any aliases they may have used, their date of birth, and the country of their birth.

Upon providing all the information above to a staff member, that staff member should be able to provide you with some basic information about the detainee. They can give you the date they were detained, information about any pending criminal charges, the date of any court appearances, and potentially the next steps in their deportation proceedings. Remember that most of these immigration facilities are extremely busy, so your request over the phone might take some time to complete.

Detainee Visitation Information

Visitation is allowed at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE), although visitors must follow some strict rules and schedules. Unlike most state and federal prisons, males and females are both housed at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE). For this reason, the visitation schedule must be more detailed than most facilities.

Visitation typically occurs on Saturdays and Sundays for both male and female detainees. In addition, low-security males have visitation hours on Mondays and Fridays, while high-security males have additional visitation hours on Mondays and Thursdays. Female detainees have additional visitation hours on Thursdays and Fridays. For specific hours on a given week, you should call the facility at 956-547-1789.

There is no requirement to pre-register for visitation. You do not need to be on an approved visitation list to visit with a detainee at the facility. However, you will be required to present a valid government-issued photo ID before being allowed to enter. You should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled visitation time to allow enough time for identity verification and screening. Prior felons may not be allowed entry into the facility.

All visitors coming into the facility will be subject to a search. If you refuse the search or inspection of your belongings, you will not be allowed to enter the facility. No cell phones, food, drinks, or other outside items may be brought into the facility. Attempting to carry items into the facility or pass items to a detainee could result in criminal charges.

Finally, you should adhere to the visitation dress code. No revealing, suggestive, obscene, or inappropriate clothing may be worn inside the facility. No hats, sunglasses, jewelry, or watches may be worn. Visits are typically limited to 90 minutes, although a longer visit with an attorney may be scheduled by speaking with facility staff.

Mail/Care Package Information

Detainees at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) can receive mail and correspondence, and they can also send outgoing mail. When sending mail to a detainee, it should always include the last four digits of their alien number as well as the sender’s name and address. It should be sent to the following address:

Full Detainee Name
Last Four Digits of Alien Number
Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE)
27991 Buena Vista Blvd
Los fresnos, Texas 78566

All mail coming into Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) will be examined and inspected for contraband. However, the mail will not be read by facility staff in most cases. All incoming mail will be inspected and then delivered to the addressed detainee. Detainees may also send mail from the facility. If the detainee has money to pay for his or her own postage, they can send an unlimited number of letters by purchasing their own stamps. All outgoing mail will be transferred to the local post office within 24 hours.

If a detainee is indigent, they will be provided with a small postage allowance to send outgoing mail. When a detainee is transferred to another facility, their legal correspondence will be forwarded to them. This means that any letters from an attorney, government agency, or other legal mail will be forwarded. However, any general correspondence received at their previous address will be returned to the sender.

No care packages will be accepted at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE). Detainees are provided with all the necessities, and they have the opportunity to purchase additional personal items from the commissary. Any packages or items other than correspondence coming to the facility will be returned to the sender. The only exception to this rule is that detainees may receive items for the sole purpose of travel or release from the facility. Before sending any of these types of items, you must coordinate with facility staff by calling 956-547-1789.

Phone Calls

Incoming calls to detainees are not allowed. In the event of an emergency, you can call the facility staff at 956-547-1789 to leave a message for a detainee. You must leave your full name and phone number, and the detainee will be given your message.

Detainees have access to a phone to place outgoing calls. Calls are generally allowed in the evening hours and on weekends. All outgoing calls must be paid for by the detainee or by the recipient of the call. The detainee may choose to place a collect call or use money from their trust account to pay for the outgoing call.

Calls are generally limited to no more than 30 minutes. During busy times, phone calls may be limited to 10 minutes. If a longer call to an attorney is needed, this should be coordinated with the facility staff. However, most attorney communication takes place in person at the facility.

Commissary Information

While Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) has a small commissary, the items for sale there are fairly limited. Detainees may purchase stamps for outgoing mail as well as a small selection of personal items. These items may include snacks, soap, shampoo, or other personal care items.

If the detainee has any cash or money on their person at the time of their detainment, that money will be placed into their trust account and can be used at the commissary. If you wish to deposit money into a detainee’s account, it must be done in person at the facility. You may visit the facility Monday through Friday and deposit cash into an account. You should have the detainee’s full name and A-number available when making the deposit. No checks, money orders, or other forms of payment are accepted.

Do not send any money to the facility through the mail. All cash, checks, or money orders arriving via the mail will be returned to the sender. The in-person method of depositing money is the only method allowed at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE). The staff does not have the resources to handle the processing of deposits through the mail.

Rehabilitation Programs Offered At Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE)

Rehabilitation programs at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) are pretty limited. In fact, rehab programs at immigration detention centers, in general, are fairly limited. One reason for this is that these detainees are awaiting deportation from the United States in most cases. These facilities are not attempting to rehab these detainees for a release back into the community.

However, detainees at Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) do have access to medical, dental, and mental health services. This also includes emergency care where necessary. If a detainee is in need of one of these services, they will be provided with the help they need. Detainees will be kept in good health, and care will be given to them as needed.

Port Isabel Service Processing Center (ICE) does not have any substance abuse programs, educational programs, or vocational programs available. Again, this is because most of these detainees are awaiting deportation. Programs that prepare these individuals for reentry into society are simply not necessary. In most cases, the only crime that has been committed by these individuals is the fact that they are in the country illegally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at immigration detention centers?

The main function of most immigration detention centers is to hold detainees until a judge decides whether they will be deported. Some detainees may be eligible for release on bond, while others will be held at the facility until they get their day in court.

Unlike most prisons which are dedicated to housing either male or female inmates, most immigration detention centers hold both males and females. In addition, children may be held at some of these centers as well. While detainees are provided with daily meals and personal hygiene items, there are not many activities that take place in these centers.

What are the living conditions in an ICE detention center?

The living conditions are quite poor at most ICE detention centers. Most reports show that these detention centers are overcrowded, either hot or cold, provide inadequate food and healthcare, and are generally bad places to stay. Multiple detainees may be kept together in the same small cell, and detainees are often placed into handcuffs and shackles when brought into the facility. There are even reports of detainee deaths due to the poor living conditions within these facilities.

How long can immigrants be held in detention centers?

There is no real limit to how long an immigrant may be held at a detention center. On average, most immigrants spend about two months in these detention centers. The specific amount of time spent in the center will depend on the specifics of a detainee’s case. Some detainees are eligible to be released on bond while awaiting their court proceedings. Others must remain in the facility until the final disposition of their case by a judge.

Can you be deported by ICE if you go to jail?

Yes, you can still be deported by ICE even if you go to jail and serve a sentence for another crime. If you are in the United States illegally, then you can be transferred to ICE custody for deportation proceedings. In some cases, immigrants may serve time in jail for a crime they committed. Upon their release from prison, they may be turned over to ICE to begin deportation proceedings. This is especially true when the offender is a federal inmate. In other cases, they may be immediately handed over to ICE for deportation upon their initial arrest.