In the heart of Karnes City, Texas, lies the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center (KCIPC), a facility with a significant role in the U.S. immigration system. Operated by The GEO Group, Inc., KCIPC has been instrumental in housing detainees and ensuring the enforcement and removal of immigration offenders. Over the years, it has evolved to meet the ever-changing standards and requirements, including transitioning from Family Residential Standards (FRS) to Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS). In this article, we'll delve into the various aspects of KCIPC, providing a comprehensive understanding of its history, operations, and the services it offers.
## History and Operations
KCIPC, formerly known as the Karnes County Residential Center, opened its doors in 2012. It is owned and operated by The GEO Group, Inc., a private company that specializes in correctional and detention management. The facility has played a crucial role in the U.S. immigration system, providing a secure environment for detainees.
In 2014, the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) began housing detainees at KCIPC under the oversight of ERO's Field Office Director in San Antonio (ERO San Antonio). This marked the facility's significant contribution to immigration enforcement efforts.
Notably, in October 2022, KCIPC transitioned from the Family Residential Standards (FRS) 2020 to the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) 2011 (Revised 2016). This transition reflects the commitment to maintaining high standards and ensuring the safety and well-being of detainees.
## Facility Administration
A critical component of KCIPC's operations is the facility administrator. This individual is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and managing support personnel. The GEO Group, Inc. provides essential services such as food and medical care. Additionally, Keefe Commissary plays a role in providing commissary services at the facility. The facility administrator's role is pivotal in maintaining the facility's smooth operation and the well-being of the detainees.
## Certification and Audits
Ensuring the safety and security of detainees is a top priority at KCIPC. In February 2020, the facility underwent an audit for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) certification and successfully achieved DHS PREA certification. This certification reflects the facility's commitment to upholding the highest standards and ensuring the well-being of detainees.
## Contacting Detainees
Contacting detainees at KCIPC is a straightforward process. If you need information about a detainee housed at this facility, you can call (830) 254-2000 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. When making this call, you should have the individual's biographical information ready, including their names, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth.
It's important to note that detainees cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to leave an urgent message for a detainee, you can call (830) 254-2000 and provide the detainee's full name, alien registration number, your name, and a telephone number where you can be reached. The facility will ensure that the detainee receives your message.
## Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals
For matters related to the immigration court, you can call 1-800-898-7180 to speak directly with them. If you have applications for relief from removal or other applications requested by the immigration judge, you must file them directly with the immigration court.
For inquiries regarding the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), you can call (703) 605-1007, where you can obtain automated information or speak with a live representative during office hours. Additionally, a list of pro bono representatives nationwide who might be able to assist you is available.
## Posting Delivery Bonds
Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. To post a delivery bond, you must show proof of identity using valid government-issued photo identification, passport, military ID, LPR card, driver's license, or similar documents.
Bonds for aliens detained by ICE can be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time. Acceptable forms of payment to post a bond are money orders, cashier's checks, or certified checks. For bonds of $10,000 and over, the only accepted method of payment is a single cashier or certified check, made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" or "Immigration and Customs Enforcement."
## Friends and Family Visits
Friends and family of detainees have the opportunity to visit them at KCIPC. Visitation hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. It's important to arrive before 8 p.m. to allow adequate time for security processing.
Visitors are required to present a valid government-issued identification card to enter the facility. The duration of visits may vary depending on the number of visitors but is generally limited to one hour.
Minors visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older), and they must not be left unaccompanied in any area.
## Attorney Visits
Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours: Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. To facilitate access to legal representation, a list of pro bono (free) legal organizations is posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. Detainees can contact these organizations for an appointment.
Video Teleconferencing (VTC) meetings can be requested by legal representatives via Zoom or confidential legal phone calls. The process involves emailing the facility staff with the necessary details, and a staff member will respond with a confirmed date and time for the VTC session. This mode of communication is essential for detainees to connect with their legal representatives and discuss their cases.
## Faxing Legal Documents
In situations where timely communication through the mail is not possible, the facility administrator may allow for a reasonable amount of communication between the legal representative and their detained noncitizen client.
For faxes sent by legal representatives to detainees, the following fax number may be used: (830) 254-2292. The transmission must include a cover sheet with specific details, such as the name of the sender, the name of the Law Office, the address, the name and identification number of the detained noncitizen, the number of pages, and the date.
Detainees can also send faxes to their legal representatives. The facility has placed a fax machine in visitation for this purpose. Detainees can request to use the fax machine, and staff will assist them in sending their documents.
## Consular Visits
Consular officials have the privilege of meeting with their detained nationals at any time. It is preferred that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer. When consular officials visit, they should bring appropriate credentials.
## Clergy Visits
Clergy members are allowed to visit detainees at any time. However, they must make prior arrangements with the chaplain's office by calling (830) 254-2000.
## Visiting Restrictions
Visitation sessions typically last a minimum of one hour, depending on the number of
visitors and staff availability. In some cases, more time may be authorized by the duty facility administrator for family members who have traveled significant distances.
To ensure smooth visitation, visitors and their belongings are searched before and after entering the facility. The facility administrator or designee must grant permission for items to be brought in, which is usually limited to one complete set of clothing and a bag to carry them. Unruly or socially inappropriate behavior during visits can lead to the termination of the visit and future visitation restrictions.
## Visitor Dress Code
Both female and male visitors, aged 5 and older, are required to adhere to specific dress code guidelines. This ensures a respectful and appropriate environment for all visitors and detainees. The dress code requirements include appropriate clothing length, coverage, and the prohibition of certain types of attire.
**Female Visitors Age 5 and Older:**
- Shorts must cover customarily covered areas, including the buttocks and crotch area, when standing and sitting.
- Skirts and dresses should extend to mid-thigh when seated.
- Slits in skirts and dresses should rise no higher than mid-thigh when seated.
- Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited.
- The top of clothing should not be lower than the underarm in the front and back.
- Bare midriffs and strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.
- Shoes must be worn at all times.
- Gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited.
**Male Visitors Age 5 and Older:**
- Shorts must cover customarily covered areas, including the buttocks and crotch area, when standing and sitting.
- Shirts must be worn at all times, and muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts, and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.
- Shoes must be worn at all times.
- Gang "colors" and other gang displays are prohibited.
## Search Procedures
For security purposes, 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. Refusal to cooperate with a reasonable search will result in denied entry. Firearms and weapons of any kind are not permitted within the facility, and electronic devices like cell phones, pagers, and radios are also prohibited in the secure areas of KCIPC.
## Mail and Correspondence
Mail and correspondence play a crucial role in connecting detainees with the outside world. Letters sent to detainees must include the last four digits of the detainee's Alien number (A-number), along with the sender's name and address. Incoming mail is screened for contraband but not read upon opening. Detainees can send mail from the facility, and outgoing mail is routed to the proper postal office within 24 hours of receipt.
Detainees are allowed to purchase stamps for use, and there is generally no limit to the amount of correspondence they can send at their own expense. Indigent detainees, those with no means of financial support, will be provided with postage allowance at the government's expense.
When detainees depart the facility or are transferred to another facility, only their legal mail is forwarded to them. General correspondence is endorsed "Return to Sender" and returned to the post office.
Cash in possession of a detainee upon arrival at the facility is deposited to their trust account. Visitors can also deposit cash at the facility from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.
## Departure and Luggage
Detainees being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. If a detainee does not have such baggage, it can be sent or delivered after receiving approval from the supervisory deportation officer. However, for security reasons, no electronic devices, such as cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, are accepted.
## Feedback and Complaints
KCIPC strives to provide quality service to individuals in custody, their families, friends, and official representatives. To offer feedback or make a complaint regarding the services provided, you can write to the Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 1777 NE Loop 410, Suite 1500, San Antonio, TX 78217.
If you feel that an ICE employee or contract services employee mistreated you and wish to make a complaint of misconduct, you can contact the Field Office Director or write to the Office of Professional Responsibility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th Street, SW, Suite 1049, Mailstop 5099, Washington, DC 20536-5005.
Additionally, you may reach out to the ICE OPR Integrity Coordination Center (ICC) at 1-833-4ICE-OPR or via email at ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov. For further avenues, you can contact the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General at 1-800-323-8603 or fax at 202-254-4292 or email at DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV.
## Accessibility and Parking
KCIPC offers free public parking on the premises, ensuring convenient access for visitors. The facility complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), providing accessibility for individuals with special needs.
## Conclusion
The Karnes County Immigration Processing Center plays a crucial role in the U.S. immigration system, offering secure housing for detainees and ensuring the enforcement and removal of immigration offenders. The facility's commitment to maintaining high standards and safety is evident in its certifications and audits. Moreover, it provides several avenues for communication with detainees, including visitation, attorney visits, and the ability to send and receive mail.
Ensuring a respectful and appropriate environment, KCIPC has specific guidelines for visitors, including dress codes and search procedures. The facility values feedback and provides avenues for both complaints and compliments.
As KCIPC continues to adapt and evolve, it remains an essential part of the immigration enforcement efforts in the United States.
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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
**1. What is the purpose of the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center (KCIPC)?**
- KCIPC serves as a facility for housing detainees and plays a significant role in the enforcement and removal of immigration offenders.
**2. How can I contact a detainee at KCIPC?**
- You can contact a detainee at KCIPC by calling (830) 254-2000 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Ensure you have the detainee's biographical information ready.
**3. What is the dress code for visitors at KCIPC?**
- Visitors are required to adhere to specific dress code guidelines. These guidelines vary based on age and gender. For detailed dress code requirements, refer to the section on "Visitor Dress Code" in the article.
**4. How can I make a complaint or provide feedback about KCIPC services?**
- You can make a complaint or offer feedback by writing to the Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, or by contacting the Office of Professional Responsibility. The article provides contact details for these options.
**5. Can detainees at KCIPC send and receive mail?**
- Yes, detainees at KCIPC can send and receive mail. There are specific guidelines and procedures in place for mailing to and from the facility, as detailed in the "Mail and Correspondence" section of the article.
Phone: 830-254-2500
Physical Address:
Karnes County Immigration Processing Center
409 FM 1144
Karnes City, TX 78118
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Karnes County Immigration Processing Center
409 FM 1144
Karnes City, TX 78118
Other Jails and Prisons
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Karnes County Immigration Processing Center" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Karnes County Residential Center.
