San Antonio Field Office
Port Isabel Service Processing Center

About Us

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

Who Are We?

Port Isabel Detention Center: This is a service owned and operated detention center for individuals who are waiting for their immigration status to be determined or who are awaiting repatriation. ICE Detention & Removal Operations (DRO) administers the operations of this facility.

Detention and Removal Operations
Field Office Director: Michael J. Pitts
Assistant Field Office Director:  Arturo Perez
Supervisory Detention & Deportation Officer for Operations:  Eduardo Elias
Supervisory Detention & Deportation Officer for Administration:  Hector Garcia

 

Where Are We?

Street Address:
Port Isabel Detention Center
27991 Buena Vista Blvd
Los Fresnos, TX 78566
(956) 547-1700

Mailing Address:
Port Isabel Detention Center
27991 Buena Vista Blvd.
Los Fresnos, TX 78566

Parking: Parking is available on-site.

Accessibility for Individuals with Special Needs: There are parking areas, entrances, and other necessary accommodations for individuals with special needs.

 

Hours and Visitations

General Visitation: Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Proper photo identification is required for admission into the facility. A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance are required for individuals (driver only) operating a motor vehicle. There will be a limit of four visitors approved for any one 30-minute visit. Every child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and an adult may be responsible for no more than one child at any time while on the property. If visitors bring children [less than 18 years of age] they are expected to remain under the direct supervision of the adult visitor(s) so they will not disturb others. No visits will be permitted for minors unless they are accompanied by an adult (18 yrs or older). The number of visitors in the visiting booth will be limited to one adult and one non-adult visitor. Children must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting area. Disruptive behavior by minors, accompanying adults or detainees may cause termination of the visit.

Visitors must be in appropriate and socially accepted attire. The following is a list of unacceptable attire (but is not limited to this list):

• Mini skirts
• Short shorts
• Bare feet
• Tank tops
• Tube tops
• Sexually explicit attire
• Transparent or translucent material (see thru clothes)
• Gang related colors or apparel or
• Anything not deemed appropriate attire by officer on duty.

Visitation Hours:

The detainee visitation schedule will be contingent on the detainee’s documented ICE control name. (Usually the last name) The following schedule is provided:

• Names starting with letter A-F — Visitation on Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Names starting with letter G-L — Visitation on Saturday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Names starting with letter M-R — Visitation on Sunday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Names starting with letter S-Z — Visitation on Sunday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Attorney Visitation Hours: daily 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Attorney Call Ahead Inquiries (see also "Call Ahead Inquiries" under Local Procedures, below)

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients every day from 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. 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.

Walk-ins:

Anyone inquiring about a detainee must first register at the front gate then proceed to the lobby area of the Administration Building and request to speak to an officer.

Consular Visits:

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 (956) 547-1700.

Clergy Visits:

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the office of the ICE Assistant Field Office Director. There are currently two Non-Denominational Chaplains assigned to the facility on a full-time basis. Any denominations wishing to hold services should contact the Assistant Field Office Director at the above address.

Visiting Restrictions:

1. All family / social visits are non-contact.
2. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
3. If visitors are or appear to be under the influence of alcohol or any drug, visitation will not be allowed.
4. Visits will be limited to 1 hour, with a minimum of 30 minutes.
5. All visitors are subject to search.
6. Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
7. Children must be under control at all times.
8. Please dress appropriately. The following is a list of unacceptable attire (but is not limited 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.
9. Visitors are not allowed to chew gum in the facility.
10. Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
11. 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 seaports/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 (956) 547-1700 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 (956) 547-1700 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.

Legal Help:

Click the link for a list of pro bono representatives who might be able to assist you.

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, Arturo Perez, Assistant Field Office Director, Port Isabel Detention Center, 27991 Buena Vista Blvd. Los Fresnos, TX  78566.

If you feel that an ICE employee or a Contract / IGSA 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.

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 (U.S.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:
Applications for relief from removal, stay of removal, and other applications requested by the Immigration Judge must be filed directly with the Immigration Court.

 

Local Procedures

Bonds:

Call (956) 547-1840.

For the posting of immigration bonds:

These bonds are posted when a person has been placed into removal proceedings. The person posting the bond must show proof of identity, but may reside outside the United States. This person (the Obligor) is responsible for ensuring that the alien presents himself/herself at the request of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bonds may be posted at the Port Isabel Detention Center: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You may call and request to speak to a Bond Officer at (956) 547-1840.

Commissary:

Commissary services are not available however there are vending machines available in the housing units.

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.

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. All detainee mail must be addressed to Port Isabel Service Detention Center with the detainee name and alien registration number. All mail must have a return address on all correspondence.

Medical Care:

The ICE facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with qualified medical staff of United States Division of Immigration Health Services (USDIHS). They are responsible for the medical services provided at the facility. If a medical emergency arises that the USDIHS 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:

Western Union comes to the facility to provide services, which include sending money out. It is not recommended that cash be sent through the mail.

Receiving Money:

In the event a detainee receives a money order through the mail, Western Union provides money order cashing service for a fee.

Sending Packages:

Detainees will not be allowed to send without advance approval by facility 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 ICE facility Assistant Field Office Director. 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. Designated staff will consult with appropriate members of the religious community in assessing their request.

Smoking:

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

Telephone Calls:

Each housing unit has telephones available for detainee use. Telephones are also available in the outdoor recreation area. The phones are collect and debit only. Phone calls may be limited during peak usage periods. The telephones are available for use daily, during normal facility operation. Debit cards may be purchased within the facility.

Emergency Contact at the Center:

In case of family or other emergencies involving a detainee, please call (956) 547-1765.

Call Ahead Inquiries (Procedures):

Bonding Agents and Legal Assistants requesting to speak to detainees must fax a list of names to (956) 547-1781 at least 24 hours in advance.

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. Detainees may receive messages from family members. To leave a message for a detainee, please call (956) 547-1700. Messages regarding an emergency will be delivered as soon as possible.

Making a Call:

To purchase calling cards you must complete a “Detainee Phone Card Request.” Cards are distributed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday according to the posted Building Schedule. These cards may be used for all calls, local, national, and international long distance calls.

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