Minnesota: Resources for ICE Detainees

This guide is for people detained by ICE in Minnesota and for their families. Minnesota has no dedicated ICE detention center - ICE uses county jails. Sherburne County Jail in Elk River is the primary and largest ICE detention facility, with the second-largest county jail in the state. Eight Minnesota county sheriffs have ICE agreements: Carver, Crow Wing, Freeborn, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Mille Lacs, and Sherburne. The ICE St. Paul Field Office, headquartered at Fort Snelling, covers Minnesota. 'Operation Metro Surge' - a major ICE enforcement sweep of the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota beginning in late 2025 - resulted in thousands of arrests, including of people with no criminal record. Over 3,000 people were estimated detained during Operation Metro Surge in its first months. In January 2026, ICE agents shot and killed two people in Minnesota - Renee Good and Alex Pretti - during enforcement operations. ICE arrests of people with no criminal record rose 2,450% after Trump took office. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) operates a detention line at (651) 641-1011 Monday through Thursday, 1-3 PM, and is the primary free legal resource for detained immigrants in Minnesota. The Minnesota Habeas Project coordinates habeas petitions. Bond posts at ICE ERO Fort Snelling. Last verified: June 2026.

Step 1: Find Your Family Member - Right Now

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). The locator may lag 24-48 hours after an arrest. If the locator shows nothing, call ICE Fort Snelling and ILCM immediately.

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

EOIR Immigration Court Case Status: 1-800-898-7180

ICE St. Paul Field Office (ERO Minnesota): StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (612) 409-7799

ICE ERO Fort Snelling main: (612) 843-8600

ICE Fort Snelling address: 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111

Sherburne County Jail (primary detention facility): (763) 765-3900 | Elk River, MN

ILCM Detention Line (Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM): (651) 641-1011 - Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota; for detained individuals and families.

National Lawyers Guild Minnesota (if detained for protesting or as a legal observer): (612) 444-2654

If a family member was arrested but cannot be located: They may be in transit between facilities or at a county jail not yet updated in the ICE locator. Call ICE at (612) 843-8600 and ILCM at (651) 641-1011 the same day.

Step 2: Where ICE Detainees Are Held in Minnesota

Minnesota has no dedicated long-term ICE detention facility. ICE contracts with county jails to hold detainees. Sherburne County is the primary long-term facility; other county jails hold smaller numbers. Minnesota law prohibits county jails from holding someone based solely on an ICE detainer if the person would otherwise be released - but counties with formal ICE contracts can hold people for the duration of their immigration proceedings.

Sherburne County Jail - Elk River (Primary ICE Facility)

13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330

Phone: (763) 765-3900

ICE case information: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Deportation officer contact: (612) 409-7799

Tablets: Available - information at co.sherburne.mn.us/400/Jail

ICE complaints address: 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111

Sherburne County Jail in Elk River - approximately 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis - is the primary and largest ICE detention facility in Minnesota. Sherburne County has held ICE detainees for decades; the current contract earns the county approximately $11 million per year from ICE. The facility is the second-largest county jail in Minnesota. ICE sought additional capacity within 100 miles of its St. Paul Field Office; Sherburne was already the dominant provider.

A $1.5 million wrongful death settlement was paid to the family of an immigrant who died by suicide at Sherburne County Jail. The settlement documented mental health concerns related to detention. Advocates report 'horror stories' from detainees about conditions. No special accommodations are made for ICE detainees (who are being held on civil violations, not criminal charges) compared to criminal inmates.

Visiting: On-site video visitation and remote video visitation (from home, via NCIC.com). All visits must follow Video Visitation Rules (available at county website). Remote visits must be scheduled 24+ hours in advance through NCIC.com. Five remote visits per day allowed; can be scheduled daily 8:30 AM onward. Visits are recorded and monitored by Sherburne County Sheriff (except attorney and clergy visits). Valid ID required for in-person visits.

Phone: NCIC phone system. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. Contact Sherburne County Jail at (763) 765-3900 for current procedures.

Attorney visits: Monday-Friday 8 AM-9:30 PM. Schedule in-person visits, phone calls, and Zoom court appearances at jail.visits@co.sherburne.mn.us. Document delivery to inmates: scsojaildocs@co.sherburne.mn.us. General questions: jail-asst@co.sherburne.mn.us.

Mail: Contact facility for current mailing address and procedures. Letters subject to inspection.

Other Minnesota County Jails Holding ICE Detainees

Freeborn County Jail - Albert Lea

Phone: (507) 377-5200 (Freeborn County Sheriff)

ICE case information: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Freeborn County has a longstanding contract with ICE to hold detainees. Albert Lea is in southern Minnesota near the Iowa border.

Kandiyohi County Jail - Willmar

Phone: (320) 231-6175 (Kandiyohi County Sheriff)

ICE case information: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Kandiyohi County Sheriff Eric Tollefson confirmed the county has worked with the federal government in this capacity for more than two decades. ICE inspects the jail four times a year. Willmar is in central Minnesota and has a large Somali and Latino immigrant community.

Crow Wing County Jail - Brainerd

Phone: (218) 829-4749 (Crow Wing County Sheriff)

ICE case information: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov

Crow Wing County began holding ICE detainees in late November 2025. Brainerd is in central Minnesota.

Additional counties with ICE agreements (verify current detainee status)

Carver, Itasca, Jackson, and Mille Lacs counties have signed ICE 287(g) agreements. Verify current operational status as ICE detention facilities with (612) 843-8600 or StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov.

Step 3: Get Legal Help

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) - Detention Line

ilcm.org | Detention Line: (651) 641-1011 - Monday through Thursday, 1-3 PM

General: 1-800-223-1368

ILCM is the primary free legal resource for ICE detainees in Minnesota. Their detention line (651-641-1011, Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM) is specifically for detained individuals and their families - it provides general information about court proceedings, the Minnesota Detention Project, and the services provided at first court hearings. Volunteers operating the line are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice, but can connect callers to ILCM's Minnesota Detention Project and other resources. ILCM also operates a Ramsey County/City of Saint Paul Immigration Legal Defense Fund in collaboration with The Advocates for Human Rights and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, for Ramsey County residents facing detention and removal who earn less than 200% of the poverty guidelines.

The Advocates for Human Rights - Detained Immigrants Program

theadvocatesforhumanrights.org | Minneapolis

The Advocates assists people in immigration detention in Minnesota and the Dakotas with bond, parole, habeas corpus petitions, asylum, and other immigration relief. They also assist with filing complaints about human rights violations in detention. Represented immigrants are four times more likely to be released from detention than those without counsel, according to The Advocates. Contact them for detention representation and referrals.

Minnesota Habeas Project

A collective of nonprofit legal service providers, law school clinics, and pro bono law firms that connects unlawfully detained immigrants with pro bono lawyers who can file habeas corpus petitions in federal court seeking release from immigration detention. Habeas petitions have been an active legal tool in Minnesota given the surge in arrests. Contact ILCM or The Advocates for referrals to the Habeas Project.

LawHelp Minnesota - Detention Resources Hub

lawhelpmn.org - Resources for People Detained or Worried About Being Detained is a comprehensive resource page coordinated by five Minnesota legal services partners: The Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Lawyers Network, ILCM, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. Includes a Risk of Detention Form that families can fill out to help with habeas petitions. Covers habeas corpus filing, bond fund intake, and community resources.

Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN)

mnvln.org | (612) 752-6677 - Monday-Thursday 10 AM-1 PM

VLN connects low-income Minnesotans with private attorneys offering free representation. Their deportation preparedness phone services help clients prepare in case of detention. Interpreters available.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

midmnlegal.org | Minneapolis and St. Cloud - Free legal services for immigration matters including detained immigrants in deportation proceedings. Experienced immigration attorneys; confidential; does not report immigration status.

ICOM - Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration: AID Program

mninterfaithcoalition.org - ICOM's Accompanying Immigrants in Detention (AID) program deploys volunteers to directly support immigrant detainees and their families in the Twin Cities area. Volunteers accompany individuals in immigration detention, provide emotional and financial support, and help connect to resources. AID also provides rides and companionship to ICE check-ins.

CLUES - Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio

clues.org | Minneapolis and St. Paul - Minnesota's largest Latino-led nonprofit; immigration resources, legal referrals, community services for Latino immigrant families.

CWF - Ending Isolation

Contact through LawHelp MN - CWF provides money for inmate accounts so detained people can call their families, and also provides direct visitation support for people detained by ICE in Minnesota facilities.

MIRAC - Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee

miracmn.com - Community organizing, Know Your Rights resources, and referrals for immigrant Minnesotans. Not a law firm.

EOIR Pro Bono List

Sherburne County and other Minnesota jails holding ICE detainees are required to post pro bono legal service lists. Ask your family member to request the list and use the facility phone to call providers.

Immigration Advocates Network

immigrationadvocates.org - National searchable directory; search by Minnesota.

Step 4: Bond - How to Get Someone Released

Bond allows a detained person to be released from ICE custody while their immigration case continues. The St. Paul Immigration Court handles Minnesota cases. Habeas corpus petitions in federal court have been an increasingly important alternative for people denied bond hearings - contact ILCM and The Advocates immediately if a family member is denied a bond hearing.

LawHelp MN maintains a Bond Fund Intake Application. Do not complete the application unless bond has already been granted by an immigration judge. The bond fund helps pay set bonds for those who cannot afford them. Find the application at lawhelpmn.org.

Bond posting for Minnesota detainees

Bond is posted at the ICE ERO Fort Snelling Field Office:

ICE ERO Fort Snelling: 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111 | (612) 843-8600

Payment: Money order, cashier's check, or certified check payable to 'Department of Homeland Security.' Bring the detainee's full name, A-Number, and bond order from the immigration judge.

A licensed immigration bond agent can post bond electronically for a fee.

Bond Funds

LawHelp MN Bond Fund Intake Application

lawhelpmn.org - Available once bond is granted by an immigration judge.

National Immigrant Bond Fund

immigrantbondfund.org - National fund; requires family contribution.

ICOM and CWF

Contact ICOM and CWF (through LawHelp MN) for additional financial assistance for detained immigrants.

Step 5: Communication at Sherburne County Jail

Video Visits (Primary Visiting Method)

In-person video visits: At the jail - contact (763) 765-3900 for current hours and scheduling.

Remote video visits from home: Schedule 24+ hours in advance at NCIC.com. Visits cost money (fund through your NCIC phone account). Five visits per day maximum; can be scheduled every day of the week from 8:30 AM. All remote visits are recorded and monitored by the Sheriff's Office. Violations of visitation rules can result in suspension of privileges.

Phone

Phone system: NCIC. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. Contact (763) 765-3900 for current phone setup and prepaid account procedures.

Tablets

Tablets available - information at co.sherburne.mn.us/400/Jail.

Mail

Contact (763) 765-3900 or jail-asst@co.sherburne.mn.us for current mailing address and procedure. Legal mail: scsojaildocs@co.sherburne.mn.us.

Attorney visits

Monday-Friday 8 AM-9:30 PM. Schedule at jail.visits@co.sherburne.mn.us. Outside business hours, remote visits through NCIC are available.

Step 6: Minnesota's Enforcement Context and Your Rights

Operation Metro Surge and the death of two people in January 2026:

'Operation Metro Surge' began in late 2025 as a major ICE enforcement sweep targeting the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. More than 3,000 people were estimated detained in its first months. Critically, two people were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minnesota in January 2026 - Renee Good and Alex Pretti. These deaths received national attention and prompted protests, legislative hearings, and calls for investigation. The killings underscore the extraordinary level of enforcement activity in Minnesota during this period and the high stakes of immigration encounters.

2,450% increase in no-criminal-record detentions:

The American Immigration Council documented a 2,450% increase in the number of people with no criminal record being detained by ICE after Trump took office. Minnesota has experienced this pattern acutely - Minnesota's own arrest data shows the majority of people detained during Operation Metro Surge had no prior criminal record. They are neighbors, workers, parents, and community members.

Minnesota law prohibits indefinite holding on civil detainers:

Minnesota law prohibits state and local law enforcement from holding someone based solely on an ICE civil detainer if the person would otherwise be released. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed in a legal opinion that such holds may violate state law. However, counties with formal ICE contracts - like Sherburne - can hold detainees for the full duration of their immigration proceedings under those contracts.

Constitutional observers:

Over 30,000 Minnesotans were trained as constitutional observers - volunteers who follow and document ICE enforcement activity across 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties. This network, organized by the Immigrant Defense Network, provides community monitoring of ICE operations.

Do not sign anything without an attorney:

ICE may pressure detained people to sign Voluntary Departure or stipulated removal orders. Signing can permanently waive important legal rights. Contact ILCM at (651) 641-1011 or The Advocates for Human Rights before signing anything.

Key rights every detainee has:

The right to speak with an attorney. Ask for the pro bono list; contact ILCM at (651) 641-1011 through Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM.

The right to a bond hearing before an immigration judge (unless subject to mandatory detention - file a habeas petition if denied).

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

The right to adequate medical and mental health care.

The right to communicate with your home country's consulate (free calls required).

The right to humane conditions of confinement - Minnesota's county jail standards apply regardless of immigration status.

To report abuse, conditions concerns, or file a complaint:

ICE ERO Fort Snelling: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | 1 Federal Drive Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111

Minnesota Department of Corrections Inspection and Enforcement Unit: mn.gov/doc - for conditions in DOC-licensed facilities

DHS Inspector General: oig.dhs.gov | 1-800-323-8603

The Advocates for Human Rights: theadvocatesforhumanrights.org

Quick Reference - Minnesota 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 St. Paul Field Office: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (612) 409-7799

ICE ERO Fort Snelling main: (612) 843-8600

ILCM Detention Line (primary first call):

(651) 641-1011 - Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM

Primary detention facility:

Sherburne County Jail (Elk River): 13880 Business Center Drive NW - (763) 765-3900

Attorney visits: jail.visits@co.sherburne.mn.us | Legal mail: scsojaildocs@co.sherburne.mn.us

Other county jails holding ICE detainees:

Freeborn County (Albert Lea): (507) 377-5200

Kandiyohi County (Willmar): (320) 231-6175

Crow Wing County (Brainerd): (218) 829-4749

Legal help:

ILCM: ilcm.org | (651) 641-1011 (Mon-Thu 1-3 PM) | 1-800-223-1368

The Advocates for Human Rights: theadvocatesforhumanrights.org

LawHelp MN resources hub: lawhelpmn.org

VLN: (612) 752-6677 - Mon-Thu 10 AM-1 PM

Post bond:

ICE ERO Fort Snelling: 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111 | (612) 843-8600

Sherburne visiting:

Remote video: NCIC.com - schedule 24+ hours ahead

In-person video: call (763) 765-3900 for current hours

Sources and verification: MinnPost, ''Sanctuary' Tag Masks Actual Level of ICE Cooperation in Minnesota,' January 28, 2026 (Freeborn Sherburne agreements; Hennepin 8% compliance Ramsey 6%; 4,855 detainer requests Minnesota September 2023-October 2025; 20% complied 1,005 transferred; Minnesota law prohibits holding on detainer if otherwise released; AG Ellison opinion; Carver Freeborn Kandiyohi Nobles Sherburne ICE facility agreements noted); Minnesota Reformer, 'Eight Minnesota Counties Have Signed Agreements with ICE,' November-December 2025 (eight counties: Cass Crow Wing Freeborn Itasca Jackson Kandiyohi Mille Lacs Sherburne; warrant service officer: Crow Wing Freeborn Jackson Kandiyohi; jail enforcement: Sherburne; ICOM director Greg King quote on healthy relationships; pending legislation to bar agreements; One Big Beautiful Bill tripled ICE budget); Minnesota House Session Daily, 'House Bill Targets ICE Agreements with Minnesota County Jails,' (five counties contract with ICE; Sherburne second-largest county jail; $11 million per year; no special accommodations civil vs criminal; Samantha Sanchez testimony five six months nightmare mental illness; Rep. Freiberg DFL quote; HF3060; Ramsey stopped 2018 cost twice as much; Nobles); WCCO Investigates, 'Where Are Federal Agents Taking People They Detain in Minnesota?' January 13, 2026 (Crow Wing Freeborn Kandiyohi Sherburne housing ICE; Kandiyohi Sheriff Tollefson two decades ICE inspects four times year; first Crow Wing detainee late November; Crow Wing Sheriff Klang empathy quote); Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, 'By the Numbers: ICE in Minnesota,' February 9, 2026 (70,766 detained nationwide January 2026; 3,000+ detained Operation Metro Surge; 25.8% pending criminal charges; 74.2% no criminal record or already convicted released; 218 facilities 91% increase; 2,450% increase no criminal record ICE detainees; Renee Good Alex Pretti shot killed January; 30,000+ constitutional observers 77 of 87 counties Immigrant Defense Network); Minnesota House Government Operations letter March 10, 2026 (four county jails Crow Wing Kandiyohi Freeborn Sherburne; $1.5 million settlement suicide Sherburne County Jail; citation to Star Tribune article); ICE Sherburne County Jail page (ice.gov; StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov; (763) 765-3900; tablets co.sherburne.mn.us/400/Jail; (612) 409-7799 deportation officer; video visitation NCIC.com; remote visits scheduled 24 hours 8:30 AM five visits/day; all days; recorded monitored except attorney clergy; attorney visits M-F 8 AM-9:30 PM; jail.visits@co.sherburne.mn.us; scsojaildocs@co.sherburne.mn.us; jail-asst@co.sherburne.mn.us; 1 Federal Drive Suite 1640 Fort Snelling MN 55111 complaints); MN DHS/Ombuds ICE document (612-843-8600 ICE ERO Minnesota); ILCM (ilcm.org; (651) 641-1011 detention line Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM; 1-800-223-1368 general; not lawyers volunteers; Minnesota Detention Project; services at first court hearing; Ramsey County/St Paul Legal Defense Fund collaborative with Advocates Mid-Mn Legal Aid ILCM less than 200% poverty guidelines); LawHelp MN (lawhelpmn.org; Risk of Detention Form; Bond Fund Intake Application; Minnesota Habeas Project collective nonprofit law clinics pro bono firms; NLG 612-444-2654 if detained protesting); The Advocates for Human Rights (theadvocatesforhumanrights.org; Minnesota and Dakotas; bond parole habeas asylum; four times more likely released if represented; complaints human rights violations); VLN (mnvln.org; 612-752-6677; Monday-Thursday 10 AM-1 PM; deportation preparedness phone service; interpreters available); MIRAC resources page (651-641-1011 for ICE detention; ICOM AID program accompaniment financial support resource connections; rides to ICE check-ins). Volatile items: Verify Sherburne County Jail current ICE population and contract status ($11 million/year; verify 2025-2026 contract terms); verify which other Minnesota counties currently hold ICE detainees beyond the four named (Carver, Mille Lacs, Itasca, Jackson have 287g agreements; verify if currently holding); verify ILCM detention line current hours (Monday-Thursday 1-3 PM; verify not changed given high call volume during Operation Metro Surge); verify bond posting location at Fort Snelling (1 Federal Drive Suite 1640; confirm currently accepting bond); verify Minnesota Habeas Project current status and contact (active through early 2026; verify June 2026 status); verify Operation Metro Surge current enforcement levels (700 agents reportedly leaving Minnesota per one report; verify current ICE activity level). Last verified: June 2026.