Alabama: Resources for ICE Detainees

This guide is for people detained by ICE in Alabama and for their families. It covers where detainees are held, how to locate them, where to get free or low-cost legal help, how bond works, and how to communicate with someone in detention. Information changes - verify phone numbers and hours directly with facilities and organizations before acting. Last verified: June 2026.

Step 1: Find Your Family Member - Right Now

If someone has been detained by ICE and you do not know where they are, use these tools immediately:

ICE Online Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov

You need: the person's full legal name, date of birth, and country of birth - OR their A-Number (Alien Registration Number, found on any immigration paperwork). The locator shows people currently in ICE custody and people released within the last 60 days. Juveniles under 18 do not appear in the system.

ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 (toll-free)

EOIR Immigration Court Case Status: 1-800-898-7180 - this automated line provides information about pending immigration court hearings.

If the person cannot be located through the online system, they may still be in local law enforcement custody under an ICE detainer and not yet transferred to federal ICE custody. Call the jail where you believe they were booked, or call the ICE New Orleans Field Office, which covers Alabama: (504) 599-0394.

Step 2: Where ICE Detainees Are Held in Alabama

Etowah County Detention Center - Primary Facility

827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901

Phone: (256) 549-5410 (ICE detainee inquiries) | (256) 549-5408 (general, 24 hours)

Capacity: Approximately 865-950 beds

Operated by: Etowah County Sheriff's Office under a contract with ICE

The Etowah County Detention Center is Alabama's primary ICE detention facility and one of the most significant ICE detention sites in the Southeast. It closed its ICE contract in March 2022 following years of criticism over conditions, then reopened for ICE detainees in early 2025 when the second Trump administration sought to expand detention capacity nationwide.

Detainees at Etowah include adult men and adult women, asylum seekers, and individuals with criminal histories and without. The facility's remote location in Gadsden - about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham - creates challenges for attorneys and families attempting to visit.

Important: Bonds cannot be posted directly at Etowah. See Step 4 for how bond works.

Other Holding Locations

Before being transferred to Etowah, people detained by ICE in Alabama may be held briefly in county jails across the state - in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, or wherever the arrest occurred. ICE has 48-72 hours to transfer or release most people held under civil detainers in county jails. Use the ICE Detainee Locator and the ICE Detention Reporting Line immediately after any arrest to track where the person is being moved.

People detained in Alabama are sometimes transferred to ICE facilities in other states - Georgia, Louisiana, Texas - especially when Etowah is at capacity or when ICE determines another facility is more appropriate for the case. If the detainee locator shows a Georgia, Louisiana, or Texas address, transfers have occurred. Maintain contact with your attorney and keep checking the locator.

Step 3: Get Legal Help - This Is Urgent

Having an attorney dramatically improves outcomes in immigration detention cases. Many detained people are eligible for bond hearings, have legal defenses, or qualify for relief they are not aware of. Legal help should be sought immediately - ideally within the first 24 to 48 hours of detention.

Free and Low-Cost Legal Help in Alabama

Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ)

acij.org | 1826 6th Avenue South, Irondale, AL 35210

ACIJ is Alabama's primary statewide immigrant rights organization. They provide Know Your Rights education, connect detained people and families with legal referrals, and operate the Alabama Rapid Response Mutual Aid Fund (see Step 5). ACIJ is acquiring DOJ accreditation to offer direct legal services at reduced cost.

Legal Services Alabama

alabamalegalhelp.org | 1-866-456-4995 (toll-free statewide)

Legal Services Alabama handles civil cases for low-income Alabamians, including some immigration matters. They have offices in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, and other cities. Eligibility is income-based. Call to determine whether your case qualifies.

EOIR Pro Bono List - Etowah County Detention Center

Every ICE detention facility is required to post a list of free legal service providers in all housing units, and to provide free calls to those providers. Ask the facility for the posted pro bono legal services list. The EOIR also maintains a national directory of free immigration legal services at justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers.

Immigration Advocates Network

immigrationadvocates.org - searchable national directory of immigration legal service organizations by state and zip code. Use this to find the closest provider to the detainee's location, especially if the person has been transferred to another state.

Greater Birmingham Ministries

gbm.org - immigrant rights advocacy and legal referrals in the Birmingham area.

Southern Poverty Law Center - Alabama

splcenter.org - SPLC has supported immigration rights cases in Alabama and maintains relationships with the immigrant advocacy community. They do not provide individual immigration representation in most cases but can be a referral point.

For Attorneys Representing Detainees at Etowah

Attorney visits are allowed during the facility's standard visitation hours. Attorneys must schedule in advance and bring their state bar card and government-issued ID. Legal mail is inspected but not read and may be retained by the detainee. ICE has implemented virtual attorney visitation at some facilities; confirm with Etowah directly whether virtual attorney visits are available.

ICE eFile accepts electronic filing of Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance) for detained individuals: ice.gov/detain/attorney-information-resources

Step 4: Bond - How to Get Someone Released

Bond is a payment that allows a detained person to be released from ICE custody while their immigration case proceeds in court. Not everyone is eligible for bond - some people are subject to mandatory detention under federal law. An immigration judge sets the bond amount at a bond hearing.

To request a bond hearing, the detainee (or their attorney) must file a request with the immigration court. If a bond is set, the amount must be paid in full - there is no installment plan. Bond amounts in immigration cases typically range from $1,500 to $25,000 or more.

CRITICAL: Bond cannot be posted at Etowah County Detention Center.

Immigration bonds for detainees at Etowah must be posted at an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) facility that accepts bond payments. The closest ICE ERO facility that accepts immigration bonds is:

ICE ERO Atlanta Field Office: 180 Ted Turner Drive SW, 3rd Floor, Room 337, Atlanta, GA 30303

Bond posting hours: Monday through Friday (except federal holidays), 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Phone: (404) 893-1224

If you cannot travel to Atlanta, a licensed immigration bond agent (surety bond company) can post the bond electronically for a fee of 2% to 20% of the bond amount. Ask your attorney for referrals to licensed bond agents.

Bonds are paid in cash, cashier's check, or money order made payable to 'Department of Homeland Security.' Bring the detainee's full name, A-Number, and the bond order from the immigration court.

Bond Funds That May Help

Alabama Rapid Response Mutual Aid Fund - ACIJ

acij.org - Alabama's primary source of emergency financial assistance for immigrant families facing ICE detention. The fund covers legal representation costs (initial consultations run $300-$500; full representation costs more), emergency travel, and other urgent needs arising from ICE detention. Contact ACIJ directly to apply.

National Immigrant Bond Fund

immigrantbondfund.org - a national organization that posts bond for detained immigrants in certain circumstances. Requires family contribution toward the bond. Released bonds are returned to the fund. Apply directly through their website.

Vera Institute - Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network

vera.org - Vera's SAFE Network operates in some jurisdictions to provide bond assistance and legal support. Check their website for current service areas and availability.

Step 5: Communication - Staying Connected

Visiting in Person

Address: 827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901

Visitor registration is required through the GTL/ViaPath system. Register online before visiting, or use the kiosk at the facility. Visitors must be on the detainee's approved visitor list.

Standard visitation hours (verify directly - hours can change):

Monday through Friday: 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Each detainee is entitled to four onsite visits and six remote (video) visits per week. Onsite visits are free of charge. Out-of-town visitors who live more than 60 miles from the facility may receive special scheduling accommodations - ask the facility directly.

Clergy may visit at any time with advance scheduling through the Chaplain's office: (256) 549-2194.

Bring: A valid government-issued photo ID. Do not bring personal belongings, cell phones, or food. All visitors are subject to search.

Phone Calls

Detainees at Etowah can make outgoing calls (they cannot receive incoming calls) between 7:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Call duration is typically limited to 30 minutes; during peak hours this may be reduced to 10 minutes. Calls are placed through the NCIC Inmate Telephone Services system and are monitored and recorded.

To set up a prepaid phone account so the detainee can call without collect charges: use the phone service provider's platform (NCIC/GTL) to fund an account linked to your phone number.

Free calls: ICE requires that all detainees have access to free calls to consular officials, legal service providers on the pro bono list, and certain government agencies. Ask the detainee to request the free call list from facility staff.

Video Visitation

Remote video visits may be available at Etowah. Schedule through the GTL/ViaPath platform or contact the facility to confirm availability and scheduling procedures.

Mail and Messaging

Mailing address: [Detainee Full Name + A-Number], Etowah County Detention Center, 827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901

All incoming mail is inspected. Do not include prohibited items. Letters, photos, legal documents, newspapers, magazines, and approved books may be sent. Packages require prior approval from facility administration - call (256) 549-5410 or (256) 549-1444 to confirm.

Electronic messaging: Family and friends can send text messages and emails through SmartJailMail.com. Detainees have access to tablets for receiving messages, calls, and electronic communications.

Sending Money

Money can be deposited into a detainee's commissary account through the facility's approved platforms. Options include online deposits through GTL Connect Network, kiosk deposits at the facility, or mailed money orders. When sending a money order, write the detainee's full name and ID number on the back. Contact the facility or visit etowahcountysheriff.com for current deposit procedures.

Step 6: Your Rights Inside Detention

ICE detention is civil, not criminal. You have not been convicted of any crime by being detained for immigration reasons. Federal law requires all ICE detention facilities to meet Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) covering medical care, mental health, access to legal materials, religious practice, protection from abuse, and the right to file grievances.

Key rights every detainee has:

The right to speak with a lawyer, including a court-appointed attorney in criminal proceedings. In civil immigration proceedings, there is no right to a government-appointed attorney, but you have the right to find and hire one.

The right to a bond hearing before an immigration judge (if you are not subject to mandatory detention).

The right to be free from physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.

The right to access medical and mental health care.

The right to practice your religion.

The right to access a law library and legal materials.

The right to make phone calls, including free calls to consular officials and legal service providers.

The right to file a grievance if your rights are violated.

The right to communicate with your home country's consulate.

To file a grievance:

Ask facility staff for a grievance form. The Etowah County Detention Center Compliance Section can be contacted through the facility's main line. The federal Office of Inspector General also accepts complaints: oig.dhs.gov or 1-800-323-8603.

Consular access:

If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you have the right under the Vienna Convention to contact your country's consulate. ICE must inform detainees of this right. Ask a staff member or attorney for the consular contact list for your country. Calls to consulates are free under ICE standards.

Quick Reference - Alabama ICE Detainee Resources

Find a detainee:

ICE Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov

ICE Detention Reporting Line: 1-888-351-4024

EOIR Case Status: 1-800-898-7180

ICE New Orleans Field Office (covers Alabama): (504) 599-0394

Primary detention facility:

Etowah County Detention Center - 827 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901 - (256) 549-5410

Post bond:

ICE ERO Atlanta - 180 Ted Turner Drive SW, 3rd Floor, Rm 337, Atlanta, GA 30303 - (404) 893-1224 - Monday-Friday 9 AM-3 PM

Legal help:

Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ): acij.org

Legal Services Alabama: alabamalegalhelp.org | 1-866-456-4995

Immigration Advocates Network: immigrationadvocates.org

Financial assistance:

Alabama Rapid Response Mutual Aid Fund (ACIJ): acij.org

National Immigrant Bond Fund: immigrantbondfund.org

Communication:

Visitation: GTL/ViaPath system - register before visiting

Mail: SmartJailMail.com for electronic messaging

Phone: NCIC Inmate Telephone Services - set up prepaid account

Sources and verification: Etowah County Sheriff's Office Detention webpage (etowahcountysheriff.com); ICE Online Detainee Locator (locator.ice.gov); ICE Attorney Information and Resources page (ice.gov/detain/attorney-information-resources); Center for Immigration Assistance, Etowah County Detention Center facility page (cfiaus.com); Detention Watch Network, 'Notorious Alabama Detention Center to Re-Open,' February 2025 (865+ bed capacity; March 2022 closure; early 2025 reopening); WBRC reporting, February 4, 2025 (Sheriff Horton; negotiations December 2024-January 2025; 25+ year prior history); Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, Mutual Aid Blog (acij.org; $300-$500 initial consultation costs; Alabama Rapid Response Mutual Aid Fund; trafficking survivor case; ISAP detainee case); ICE ERO Atlanta bond posting (180 Ted Turner Drive SW, 3rd Floor, Rm 337, Atlanta GA 30303; Monday-Friday 9 AM-3 PM; (404) 893-1224); Etowah visitation hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-9 PM, Saturday-Sunday 7:30 AM-2:30 PM (multiple inmate lookup sources; verify directly); Clergy visitation: (256) 549-2194 Chaplain's office; Phone hours: 7:00 AM-7:30 PM, 30-minute limit (multiple sources); SmartJailMail.com for electronic messaging; GTL Connect Network for phone funding; NCIC Inmate Telephone Services as phone carrier; ICE New Orleans Field Office coverage area includes Alabama; DHS OIG complaint line 1-800-323-8603. Volatile items: Verify Etowah visitation hours, bond posting hours, and communication platforms directly with the facility before each visit or transaction - ICE detention facility policies change frequently. Last verified: June 2026.