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ICE detention facility · California

Imperial Regional Detention Facility

San Diego Field Office · 1572 Gateway Road, Calexico, CA 92231

Quick facts

Address
1572 Gateway Road, Calexico, CA 92231
Phone (to ask about someone held here)
(760) 618-7200
ICE field office
San Diego Field Office (field office contacts (opens in new tab))
Official page
ICE: Imperial Regional Detention Facility (opens in new tab)
Find someone
ICE Online Detainee Locator (opens in new tab) · locator guide
Court case status
1-800-898-7180 (EOIR, 24 hours)

First: this is civil detention

ICE detention is civil, not a criminal sentence. There is no sentence to serve, so there are no sentence credits (good time) and no release date to calculate. Release depends on the immigration case: a bond, an immigration judge's decision, or an ICE decision.

There is no right to a free lawyer in immigration court. The law allows a lawyer "at no expense to the Government" (8 U.S.C. 1362 (opens in new tab)). Look for free or low-cost help on the EOIR list of pro bono providers (opens in new tab) and from accredited representatives (opens in new tab).

Watch for scams: a "notario" is not a lawyer in the U.S. Don't pay anyone who promises results. How to spot a scam.

General information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

Contacting someone held here

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

If you need information about a detainee that is housed at this facility, you may call (760) 618-7200 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you call, please have the individual’s biographical information ready, including first, last and hyphenated names, any aliases he or she may use, date of birth and country of birth.

Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee to leave an urgent message, you must call (760) 618-7200 and leave the detainee’s full name, alien registration number and your name and telephone number where you can be reached. The detainee will be given your message.

This facility has tablets. You can access information on how to send a non-confidential message at www.gettingout.com.

Visiting hours and rules

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

Friends and Family Visits

TimesMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

2 p.m. - 3 p.m.Special Management UnitSpecial Management UnitSpecial Management UnitSpecial Management UnitSpecial Management UnitSpecial Management UnitSpecial Management Unit

3 p.m. - 5 p.m.Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

High/ Medium-High

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Males

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)Females

Low/Medium-Low

(Custody Classification)

The visitation schedule is subject to change without notice. In the event of a schedule change the facility’s detainees will be notified. It is the responsibility of the detainee to notify his/her family and friends of the schedule change.

Under normal conditions, the facility will allow a one-hour visit. Depending on the visitation volume and demand, the visitation time allowance may be reduced to 30 minutes to accommodate the visitation volume and demand. Upon request, special consideration shall be given to family circumstances and individuals who travel long distances.

All visitors will go through an identity check; no adult visitor will be admitted without a valid government-issued photo identification.

At the discretion of the shift supervisor, a minor without positive identification may be admitted if the accompanying adult visitor vouches for his/her identity. Minors must remain under the direct supervision of the adult visitor so as not to disturb other visitors. A minor who is excessively disruptive may result in termination of the visit.

All visitors are subject to a personal search, which may include a metal detector and/or a pat down search, as well as a visual inspection of purses, briefcases, packages and other containers. Any person who refuses to be searched is prohibited from visiting a detainee.

To ensure adequate time to process visitors through security, all visitors must arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled visit time.

Attorney Visits

Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:

In-Person Visitation

Monday – Friday 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Weekends & Holidays: 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Note: Legal visitation availability will be contingent based on the detainee’s classification and sex. Please make sure to review all the available visitation options, which may include more than one schedule and visitation space type.

For appointments beginning April 6, 2026, legal visitation should be scheduled in advance through ERO eFile. Appointments are scheduled in increments of 30-minutes on a first come basis. Back-to-back appointments are permitted but may not exceed 60 minutes. Facility pre-approval is required for an appointment of more than 60 minutes with a single detainee.

Please review the DFAS Quick Reference Guide for Imperial.

Walk-in visits are still permitted, however scheduled legal visits will be prioritized.

A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.

Virtual Attorney Visitation | Legal Phone Calls

Legal representatives must request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients through ERO eFile. All requests must include the representative’s cell phone number or email in the Virtual Meeting Information section. All video visits will use the Socrates platform. If only a legal call is requested, please notate accordingly and provide the phone number the facility should call. The facility does not support Teams, Webex, Zoom, or other platforms. All scheduled appointments through ERO eFile will receive confirmation notifications through ERO eFile. Please see the flyer for details.

Note: Legal visitation availability will be contingent based on the detainee’s classification and sex. Please make sure to review all the available visitation options, which may include more than one schedule with certain spaces accommodating either phone/video or limited to only phone or video. Please review the DFAS Quick Reference Guide for Imperial.

All appointments through ERO eFile will include the:

Legal representative’s full name

Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s) and email address

Detainee’s name

Detainee’s alien number (otherwise a search may be done utilizing the detainee’s name, date of birth, and country of birth)

In some situations, a legal representative may also be required to confirm the detention facility location of the detainee

Appointments will require the following attachments uploaded in ERO eFile (otherwise appointments may be subject to cancellation):

A scan of the legal representative’s government issued identification

A scan of the legal representative’s identification or documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative, such as a state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal status

A copy of the attorney’s ERO eFiled G-28 (unless this is a pre-representational visit)

If a legal assistant is the only legal representative to join the call, the legal assistant should also attach a letter of authorization on the firm’s/organization’s letterhead and a scan of the assistant’s identification.

If a legal representative is making a request consistent with PBNDS 2011 Section 5.7 (V.N.1) and Section 4.3 (V.FF), the legal representative must upload the written request in the Attorney Authorization Letter field and the Professional Licensure/Curriculum Vitae to the Medical/Mental Health Evaluators field.

Please note appointments may be scheduled up to 2 weeks in advance, but no later than 24 hours prior to the appointment. Appointments are on a first come first serve basis. If scheduled appointments are no longer required, please cancel or reschedule the appointment in advance. Virtual legal visits are scheduled from Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in increments of 30 minutes. Legal representatives may schedule two back-to-back appointments for a full 60 minutes. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of virtual legal visit appointments they can request, but no legal representative is permitted more than one 60-minute appointment with a detainee in a single day, unless the legal representative submitted a request for an extended time appointment and the facility approved it. Scheduling and applicable rules are subject to change pending demand and availability.

Please note the facility reserves the right to cancel or reschedule appointments in the event of safety/security risk at the facility and to ensure equal access to legal visitation by other legal representatives and aliens.

The same guidelines for in-person attorney/client visits will apply to virtual legal visits and legal calls. Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters will be allowed; no family or friends of the clients are permitted. The attorney and/or his/her agents may contact outside interpretation services during the call or session. The sessions will be confidential; a visitation officer will be stationed outside of the confidential room to ensure security by standing out of earshot but within eyeshot. The officer will knock 5 minutes before the cut off time.

The facility utilizes Socrates 360 to facilitate virtual legal visits and the electronic exchange of legal documents (including the capability to sign documents). Please refer to the Socrates 360 user guide for legal representatives for more information on the processes for conducting virtual legal visits and exchanging legal documents electronically.

If there is no available time slot or if you have an exigent circumstance, you may contact Imperial at IRDF.VV@mtctrains.com.

Consular Visits

Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (760) 336-4601.

Clergy Visits

Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.

Visiting Restrictions

All family or other social visits are Non-contact.

No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.

If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.

All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.

Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.

Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.

Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)

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.

Money, mail and sending items

From the official ICE page, checked 2026-10-21. Rules change; confirm with the facility.

Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee’s A-number (File Number), plus the sender’s name and address. To enhance the safety of the facility, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. The mail is not read upon opening, only inspected by the delivering officer. Detainees may send mail from the facility. Detainees may seal their outgoing letters and place them in the provided receptacle. All incoming mail will be delivered to the detainee, and outgoing mail will be routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt by facility staff. A mail pick-up and delivery schedule is posted in all housing units.

Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use. Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense. Indigent detainees (those who have no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) will be provided postage allowance at government expense.

When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail will be forwarded to them. General correspondence will be endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.

If detainees receive funds in the mail, they will be taken to the processing area for the money to be placed into their account. The processing officer will provide a receipt for all funds received. Detainees are cautioned not to have cash sent to them in the mail.

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 Deportation Officer.

Before sending packages to detainees, contact the Facility Warden at:

Imperial Regional Detention Facility Warden

1572 Gateway Road

Calexico, CA 92231

Note that detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, such luggage can be sent/delivered after receiving approval from Supervisory Deportation Officer. Please be advised that for security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) will be accepted.

Source: ICE facility page (opens in new tab) and ICE detention facility list (opens in new tab). Not legal advice. Other facilities in California · Legal help · Bond and court

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