If something is wrong in detention
Mistreatment, denied medication, missing belongings — these are documented and complained about. In 2026 government oversight has been sharply cut, so the main thing is to record and to lean on organizations and the attorney.
Updated July 28, 2026
A threat to life or urgent medical need
If the person is in immediate danger or is being denied urgent medical care — call the line below right away and tell the attorney. It can become part of a federal habeas petition.
What to do, step by step
- Write everything down: date, time, what happened, staff names, who saw it.
- Call the free Freedom for Immigrants line — they help document violations.
- Tell the attorney: conditions and denied medical care can affect the case and a federal petition.
- If you wish, file an official complaint with DHS (channels below).
9233# — a free line from inside
Dialing 9233# from a facility phone reaches the Freedom for Immigrants line. ICE does not monitor it; volunteers speak many languages and help document a violation and connect you with advocates.
Official channels
The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) takes complaints about conditions online — link below.
Honestly about oversight in 2026
The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) has closed and the civil rights office has been cut. Do not count on a fast government response.
That is why documentation and the attorney matter most: the facts you collect work in federal court and in the hands of advocacy organizations.
We do not file complaints for you and we do not give legal advice. We show where people turn and what is important to record.
Attorney: three paths →Habeas corpus · federal court →Information updated July 28, 2026. Rules change — check the date.
We are not attorneys and we do not give legal advice. This page has facts and links to official sources only.