Searching for a loved one in ICE custody? Here’s what you need to know

Tension between advocates and immigration officers boiled over Tuesday when federal officials drove through a group of protesters outside San Francisco’s immigration court, according to videos captured by civilians and journalists.

The protesters were trying to stop immigration officers from moving a detained man from inside the courthouse into a van outside. The van then drove through the group, dragging one protester who was clinging to the hood.

Arrests and detainments inside immigration courthouses have become an unprecedented tactic for immigration agents trying to meet President Donald Trump’s quota of 3,000 arrests per day. According to the Deportation Data Project, a database led by a UC Berkeley law professor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested over 5,800 immigrants statewide since the inauguration — a 123% increase from 2024.

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The crackdown on immigrant communities has terrified and angered residents, prompting rallies and actions to ward off arrests that some have described as kidnappings, especially given that ICE agents sometimes wear face coverings to conceal their identity. Sen. Alex Padilla has introduced a bill that would bar agents from wearing masks and require them to display their badge numbers. Many families have told media outlets, including NPR, about the difficulties they’ve faced trying to track down loved ones in the system.

KQED has compiled a guide on how to navigate ICE’s online database when searching for someone in the system. Keep in mind this is not legal advice, and consulting a lawyer can help with your specific situation.

Police confront protesters outside City Hall during protests over federal immigration enforcement raids on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.

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Ethan Swope

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AP Photo

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Use ICE’s online system

If the person is an adult, you can use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System to search for them, or you can call (866) 347-2423.

You will need to have the person’s information, like:

• Their “alien registration number” — or A-Number — is assigned by the Department of Homeland Security. This number can be found on a green card, work permit or other immigration documents, and is usually seven to nine digits.
• Their full name
• Their country of birth
• Their date of birth

According to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, it may take a few days for a person to appear in the ICE database.

If the name you’re searching for isn’t showing up in the ICE system — or if you’re concerned about their safety and possible deportation — you can seek out assistance from advocacy organizations such as Freedom for Immigrants through an online form or by calling (209) 757-3733. (You can also find immigration-specific free or low-cost legal support in this KQED guide.)

Check the Bureau of Prisons’ search tool

According to the National Immigrant Law Center, this year, “ICE began using prisons run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to hold people for immigration cases.” 

You can use the Bureau of Prisons’ search tool to look up a person. NILC says that people who are being held by the Bureau of Prisons should also show up in the ICE online locator system.

If you know someone was detained near one of these prisons, you can try calling the facility directly.

A protester waves the national flags of Mexico during a demonstration for immigrants’ rights outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 5, 2025.

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Qian Weizhong

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VCG via Getty Images

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Looking for a minor?

If you are trying to find a minor you suspect has been detained, you can call ICE at (800) 203-7001. You can also email the Office of Refugee Resettlement at information@ORRNCC.com.

Call a detention facility

If you know someone is being held at a detention facility, you can call to try to get more information. According to ICE’s website, people detained cannot receive calls. You must leave a message with the facility that includes the detainee’s full name, alien registration number, as well as your name and telephone number where you can be reached.

Contact the person’s consulate

According to the NILC, “All immigrants in ICE jails have the right to contact their country’s consulate.” You can also try contacting this office yourself in an effort to find a person. However, the NILC strongly suggests that you not do this if the person is applying for asylum or fears for their life back in their home country.

KQED’s Katie DeBenedetti contributed to this report.