San Antonio Field Office
South Texas Detention Facility

About Us

Who Are We?
Where Are We?
Hours and Visitations
Contacting Us
Local Procedures

Who Are We?

This is a temporary detention center for individuals who are waiting for their immigration status to be determined or who are awaiting repatriation. The facility is operated under contract with The GEO Group Inc. (GEO). ICE works together with GEO to administer the operations of this facility.

Detention and Removal Operations
Field Office Director: Marc J. Moore
Assistant Field Office Director: Jay A. Sparks
(210) 231-4505

The GEO Group Inc. (GEO)
Warden: Gary Gomez
Assistant Warden: David Cole
(830) 334-2939

Where Are We?

566 Veteran's Drive
Pearsall, Texas 78061
(830) 334-2939

Parking: Slots are available for visitor parking in front of facility. Parking for staff & EOIR are identified.

Accessibility for Individuals with Special Needs:

There are parking spaces designated as special needs, door openers and all area to include restrooms are special needs accessible.

Hours and Visitations

Visiting Hours:

Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm

OUT OF TOWN VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CALL AHEAD FOR ANY CHANGE IN VISITATION SCHEDULES.

General Visitation:

Visitors must have a valid verifiable photo identification card.
Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Children must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area. Any disruptive conduct on either party will result in the termination of the visit.

Attorney Visitation Hours: Legal visitation: daily 6am to 11pm

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients every day from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM. Attorneys may visit detainees as described above (see "Attorney Visiting Hours") in order to determine whether an attorney/client relationship will be established. Return visits by an attorney for the purpose of legal consultation will require the filing of a G-28 with the court.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations is posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. The list is updated quarterly.

Consular Visits: Special/Consular visits: anytime as requested

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the office of the ICE Assistant Field Office Director to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The Assistant Field Office Director can be reached at (210) 231-4505.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Warden. Any denominations wishing to hold services should contact the Warden in writing at the above address.

Visiting Restrictions:

• All family / social visits are non-contact.
• No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
• If visitors are or appear to be under the influence of alcohol or any drug, visitation will not be allowed.
• Visits will be limited to a duration of 1 hour, with a minimum of 30 minutes
• All visitors are subject to search.
• Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
• Children must be under control at all times.
• Please dress appropriately. The following is a list of unacceptable attire (but is notlimited to this list):
  Mini skirts, short shorts, bare feet, tank tops, tube tops
  sexually explicit attire, transparent or translucent material
  (see through clothes) or, anything deemed to be inappropriate attire by the ICE officer on duty.
• Visitors are not allowed to chew gum in the facility.
• Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
• If contraband such as drugs, alcohol, or weapons are found on any person, that person may be subject to prosecution.

Search Procedures:

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. All detainees are required to submit to a search when visiting with their family members, friends, attorneys, paralegal, etc., prior to the start of the visit. Detainees will also be subject to a pat-down search upon termination of their visit.

Contacting Us

Detention:

Many of the detainees held in the facility were taken into custody at one of the area's surrounding airports and land border ports or by other ICE or DHS Components. Some detainees have been transferred in from other states. If you need information about a detainee you may call (210) 231-4505 during normal business hours. (Please do not call until the detainee has been in our custody for at least 24 hours). When you do call, please have his or her biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any alias names he/she may use, date of birth and country of birth. If you do not have this information, we may not be able to help you.

The only information you will receive is the detainee's alien registration number. If you need to get in touch with a detainee you must call (830) 334-2939 and leave the detainee's full name, alien registration number and a telephone number where you can be reached. He or she will be given your message.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):

All FOIA/PA 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 your full name, any other names used, date of birth, place of birth, A-number, and your address and telephone number, so that we may contact you if we have any questions.

Mail your FOIA/PA request to:

Mail (US Postal System and all overnight mail/FedEx):
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Freedom of Information Act Office,
800 North Capitol Street, NW, Room 585
Washington, DC 20536

Phone - 1-866-633-1182
E-mail - ICE-FOIA@dhs.gov

Finding the status of your case:

Immigration Court:

For information about a matter before the Immigration Court you may contact them at

1-800-898-7180

Applications for relief from removal, stay of removal, and other applications requested by the Immigration Judge must be filed directly with the Immigration Court at the address above.

Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA):

For information about a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) you may contact them at (703) 605-1007 where you can obtain automated information and/or speak to a live representative during office hours. Their menu of automated options includes:

Information about the Board's mailing address, location, and web site information
Appeals and motions
Transcripts and briefs
Board decisions and stays of deportation
Change of address

Legal Help:

For a list of pro bono representatives who might be able to assist you, click here.

Talking with the Press/Media:

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.

Correspondence and Phone Contacts with the Media:
Detainees may correspond with the media and may use facility telephones at their own expense to call the media.

Personal Interviews:
A news media representative who desires to conduct an interview with a detainee must apply in writing to the San Antonio Office of Detention and Removal, 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.

Press Information Office: For press inquiries, please contact the ICE Public Affairs Officer in San Antonio, Texas at (210) 321-2811.

Feedback:

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: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Jay Sparks Assistant Field Office Director, South Texas Detention Complex 566 Veteran's Drive, Pearsall, Texas 78061.

If you feel that an ICE employee or a facility employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you may call or write to:

Director of Detention and Removal Operations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
8940 Fourwinds,
San Antonio Texas 78239

Or

Director, Office of Professional Responsibility
425 "I" Street, NW
Room 3260
Washington, DC 20229
(877) 246-8253

You may also file a Complaint by filing a DHS Form I-847.

Local Procedures

Bonds:

To post a Departure or Delivery Bond: These bonds are posted when a person has been placed into Removal/Deportation Proceedings while in the United States. The person supplying the bond money must show proof of identity. This person (the obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents himself before an officer or agent of this agency whenever a request is made. For bond information, please call (210) 231-4505 and ask to speak to the Deportation Officer handling the case. You must have the last name of the detainee and alien registration number before calling.

Commissary:

This facility provides a commissary service that allows detainees to purchase food items, hygiene products, telephone cards, postage and writing supplies to supplement what is issued to them. A commissary order form can be obtained from the housing unit officer at any time. Completed order forms must be turned in to the housing unit officer no later than Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.Commissary orders will be processed and delivered on that Friday. Orders for phone cards can be placed Mondays thru Thursdays, according to the posted 24 Hr. Building Schedule, by 7:00 a.m. and will be issued that same afternoon

Mail:

A postal allowance has been established at government expense for indigent detainees. Detainees will be permitted to mail a reasonable amount of mail each week, including five pieces of special correspondence and three pieces of general correspondence. The facility generally does not limit the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense, except to protect public safety or facility security and order. All outgoing mail must have a return address with the detainee's name, alien registration number, and complete address of the facility clearly written on the envelope.

Receiving Mail:

Detainees may receive mail from anyone they know personally. The letter/mail must have the detainee's immigration number (File Number), facility ID number plus the sender's name and address. All incoming social and legal mail will be opened and inspected for contraband in the presence of the detainee. The mail is not read, only inspected by the delivering officer. When a detainee departs the facility, his or her mail is sent to the forwarding address. If no forwarding address is provided, the mail is endorsed, "No Forwarding Address, Return to Sender", and then returned to the Post Office.

Medical Care:

The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with qualified medical staff of US Division of Immigration Health Services (DIHS). They are responsible for the medical services provided at the facility. If a medical emergency arises that DIHS staff is unable to control or is beyond the scope of their practice, or the detainee is in need of more comprehensive care, the detainee will be referred to the nearest emergency medical facility.

Money:

Detainee Sending Money Out:

Detainees must first place a request to the Warden to obtain permission to mail out funds. These are approved on a case by case basis.

Receiving Money:

Detainees may received money orders in US Currency by mail or dropped off at the front desk during visitation

Sending Packages:

Detainees will not be allowed to send without advance arrangements, approved by the administration. The detainee must pay the postage for sending packages or oversized or overweight mail. The contents of any outgoing packages will be inspected.

Receiving Packages:

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 Warden. No items should be sent to a detainee without the supervisor's approval. Also, hygiene items are not permitted from outside sources. These are issued or purchased by the detainee at the facility. Do not send magazines and photographs depicting nudity or explicit sexual acts. Material offering training in martial arts, destructive device manufacturing, or similar devices is prohibited. Any food items received will be confiscated and destroyed in the presence of the detainee. Magazines can only be purchased from a publishing company, and mailed directly to the detainee at the facility. If a detainee was arrested without any property and will be removed from the United States, you may drop off one bag of luggage for him or her, weighing no more than 40 pounds. A detainee arrested at an airport or seaport who already has baggage in excess of 40 pounds, will not be allowed any additional luggage. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, lap-top computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

Religious Services and Observances:

All detainees shall have access to religious resources, services, instruction and counseling on a voluntary basis. Detainees shall be afforded the greatest freedom and opportunity to pursue legitimate religious beliefs or practices within the constraints of safety and security requirements. Services are provided by Chaplain at least once per week. Schedules for religious services are posted at each housing unit. If a detainee requires religious services or privileges not provided, they must complete a Detainee Request Form. Facility staff will consult with appropriate members of the religious community in assessing the request.

Smoking: This is a non-smoking facility. No cigarettes, tobacco or smoking paraphernalia is allowed.

Making Telephone Calls:

Telephones are provided in each housing unit and booking areas for detainee use. Telephones are turned on at 6:00 a.m. and will remain on until lights out 10:30 p.m. All telephone calls will be collect to the party receiving the call, unless the detainee purchases a calling card from the Commissary. Telephones are subject to being monitored. When telephone demand is high, detainees are expected to limit their calls to ten minutes in length to allow others the opportunity to place calls. If detainees are unable to place calls from the telephone in their housing unit or need to place an emergency call, such as an illness or death in the family; detainees may complete a detainee request form addressed to the Chaplain to access a facility administrative telephone.

There is at least one Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) for detainees with hearing and/or speech disabilities, and for detainees wishing to communicate with parties that have such disabilities. Access to TDD equipment requires the detainee to submit a request to the Shift Supervisor.

Telephones are made available as necessary with adjustable volume for detainees with hearing impairments.

To purchase calling cards from the Commissary, you must complete a "Detainee Phone Card Request." Cards are distributed on Monday - Thursday according to the posted Building Schedule. These cards may be used for all calls, local, national and international long distance calls. The cost of the card will be deducted from the detainee personal account. Only facility purchased cards may be used in facility phones - detainees cannot use personal phone cards. International, national and local collect calls may be made on these phones as well.

Consular and Attorney Phone Calls:

Detainees can call their consulates or embassies free of charge, as well as several pro bono (free) legal organizations. Those numbers are updated as necessary.

Calling a Detainee:

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. Staff will take telephone messages from outside callers and deliver them to the housing units at least three (3) times a day. Messages regarding an emergency will be delivered as soon as possible.