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How to Use the Online Detainee Locator System to Find a Detainee

Having a friend, family member, or loved one taken into immigration custody is an incredibly stressful, disorienting experience. One of the first and most urgent questions families have is “where are they being held?” For people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the official, free, and most accurate tool to answer that question is the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). This guide will walk you through exactly how to use the ODLS, what information you need before you start, what to do if your loved one does not appear in search results, and critical safety tips to avoid scams during the process.

Table of Contents#

  1. What is the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS)?
  2. Who Can (and Can’t) Be Found Using the ODLS?
  3. Pre-Requisites: Information You Need Before Searching
  4. Step-by-Step Guide to Using the ODLS
  5. What to Do If the Detainee Does Not Appear in Results
  6. Key Safety and Effectiveness Tips
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. References

What is the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS)?#

The ODLS is a free, public, government-run web tool managed by ICE under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was launched in 2004 to increase transparency for families of immigration detainees and reduce call volume to ICE field offices. The system includes records for all people held in ICE-operated or contracted detention facilities across the U.S., as well as people who have been in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody for 48 hours or more.

The ODLS is updated regularly, though update frequency can vary. ICE policy requires that its systems be updated within eight hours of the release, removal, or transfer of detainees. In practice, information may be anywhere from 20 minutes to eight hours old, though delays can sometimes occur. The system is available in Spanish and seven other languages.

All information in the ODLS is unclassified and available to the public with no login or personal information required to run searches.

Who Can (and Can’t) Be Found Using the ODLS?#

Eligible detainees listed in the ODLS:#

  • Adults (18 years of age or older) currently in ICE immigration custody
  • Adults released, deported, or removed from ICE custody within the last 60 days
  • Detainees held in ICE-contracted local, state, or private detention facilities
  • People who have been in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody for 48 hours or more

People NOT listed in the ODLS:#

  • Minors (under 18) in ICE custody (these records are protected for privacy; contact your local ICE field office or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024 for assistance)
  • People detained by CBP for less than 48 hours
  • People held in state or local jail for non-immigration criminal charges (even if an ICE detainer has been filed, they will not appear in the ODLS until they are transferred to ICE custody)
  • People released from ICE custody more than 60 days prior
  • People detained by law enforcement agencies outside of the U.S.

Pre-Requisites: Information You Need Before Searching#

The ODLS offers two search options, and you will need one of the following sets of information to run an accurate search:

  1. Alien Registration Number (A-Number) (most accurate): An 8- or 9-digit number assigned to all non-citizens by U.S. immigration authorities. This number may be listed on immigration paperwork, work permits, or court documents. Searching by A-number eliminates errors from misspelled names or incorrect birth dates. ICE recommends using the A-number search when available.
  2. Full identifying information (if no A-number is available):
    • Exact legal full name (first, middle, last name, including suffixes like Jr. or hyphenated last names, no nicknames)
    • Exact date of birth (month, day, 4-digit year)
    • Exact country of birth

Double-check all information before searching, as even minor typos will return no results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the ODLS#

Follow these simple steps to run a search:

  1. Access the official ODLS website

    Critical warning: Only use the official ICE government site at locator.ice.gov. Dozens of third-party scam sites charge fees for access to the same free public information, and may steal your personal data. The ODLS never asks for payment, your name, or your contact information.

  2. Select your search type Choose either “Search by A-Number” or “Search by Name, Citizenship, Date of Birth” from the menu.
  3. Enter all required information accurately If searching by name, enter the detainee's legal name exactly as it appears on official documents. Do not use nicknames, abbreviated names, or anglicized versions of their name unless you are certain that is how it is listed in ICE records. The ODLS only returns exact matches, so you may need to try different spellings or variations if the name is commonly misspelled or transliterated.
  4. Complete the CAPTCHA verification This step confirms you are not an automated bot, and is required to run the search.
  5. Review your search results If a match is found, the results will show:
    • Detainee’s full name, A-number, date of birth, and country of birth
    • Current detention facility name, physical address, and phone number
    • Current custody status (e.g. “in custody”, “pending release”, “pending removal”)
  6. Follow up with the detention facility Use the listed phone number to contact the facility to confirm custody status, schedule visits, send mail, or ask about upcoming court dates. You will need the detainee’s A-number to get information over the phone.

What to Do If the Detainee Does Not Appear in Results#

If your search returns no matches, try these steps in order:

  1. Wait 24 hours and re-search: The ODLS may take up to 24 hours to reflect new detainees. If the detainee was taken into custody in the last 24 hours, their record may not be added to the system yet.
  2. Verify your search information: Double-check the spelling of their name, date of birth, A-number, and country of birth. Try alternate spellings of their name if they have a common name or a name that is often anglicized.
  3. Check if they are in short-term CBP custody: If they were detained near the U.S. border, they may be held by CBP for up to 48 hours before transfer to ICE. Use the CBP Custody Information page for guidance.
  4. Check local jail rosters: If they were arrested by local law enforcement for a criminal charge, they may be held in a county or city jail before transfer to ICE. Search the local jail’s public roster for their name.
  5. Contact ICE directly: If you still cannot find them, call the ICE Detainee Reporting Line at 1-866-347-2423, or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line at 1-888-351-4024. You can also contact your local ICE field office for assistance. For minors, contact your local ICE field office or the Detainee Reporting and Information Line for guidance.

Key Safety and Effectiveness Tips#

  1. Never pay for detainee search services: All official detainee locator tools from ICE and CBP are 100% free. Any site asking for payment, your credit card information, or your personal contact information is a scam.
  2. You do not need to disclose your immigration status: When contacting ICE or a detention facility to ask about a detainee, you are not required to share your own citizenship or immigration status to get information about the person in custody.
  3. Only provide necessary information: When contacting ICE or detention facilities, only provide the minimum information needed (A-number or basic identifying information). Do not volunteer additional personal details.
  4. Check the ODLS regularly: Detainees are often transferred between facilities with little advance notice, and the ODLS may take up to 24 hours to update with new location information. If you are planning a visit, confirm the detainee's location by calling the facility before your trip.
  5. Work with an immigration attorney if needed: If you are having trouble locating a detainee or need support with their immigration case, contact a licensed immigration attorney or non-profit immigrant advocacy group for free or low-cost assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: How often is the ODLS updated?#

A: ICE policy requires that the system be updated within eight hours of the release, removal, or transfer of detainees. In practice, information may be anywhere from 20 minutes to eight hours old. New detainees are typically added to the system within one business day of being transferred to ICE custody, though delays can sometimes occur.

Q: Can I use the ODLS to find someone who was deported 2 years ago?#

A: No. Records are removed from the ODLS 60 days after a detainee is released from ICE custody. For older records, you will need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with ICE.

Q: Is my search history on the ODLS tracked?#

A: ICE does not track public search queries on the ODLS, and does not store information about people who run searches on the system.

Q: Can I schedule a visit directly through the ODLS?#

A: No. The ODLS only provides location and contact information for the detention facility. You will need to contact the facility directly to learn about their visiting policies and schedule a visit.

References#

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2026). Official Online Detainee Locator System. Retrieved from https://locator.ice.gov
  2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2026). Searching for Someone in CBP Custody. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov/about/searching-someone-cbp-custody
  3. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2026). ICE Field Office Directory. Retrieved from https://www.ice.gov/contact/field-offices
  4. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2025). Locating Individuals in Detention. Retrieved from https://www.ice.gov/factsheets/locating-individuals-in-detention
  5. National Immigration Law Center. (2026). How to Find a Loved One After a U.S. Immigration Arrest. Retrieved from https://www.nilc.org/resources/how-to-find-a-loved-one-after-a-u-s-immigration-arrest/
2026-07

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