This guide is for people detained by ICE in North Dakota and for their families. North Dakota has no dedicated federal ICE detention facility. There are no federal holding facilities anywhere in the state. ICE detainees in North Dakota are held in county jails, primarily the Burleigh Morton Detention Center (BMDC) in Bismarck - the largest county jail in North Dakota, with a maximum capacity of 555 beds. The BMDC has long-standing contracts with more than 20 agencies including the US Marshals Service and ICE. The facility had traditionally held ICE detainees for short periods (hours to a day or two), but due to the national shortage of ICE detention space, stays have grown to days and weeks as of 2025. Most ICE detainees held in North Dakota were apprehended in North Dakota or Minnesota. North Dakota falls under the ICE St. Paul Field Office. Bond posts at ICE St. Paul. Legal resources in North Dakota are very limited; The Advocates and Legal Services of North Dakota are the primary options for detained immigrants. 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). North Dakota ICE detainees may be transferred from county jails to out-of-state facilities. If someone does not appear in the locator, search neighboring states (Minnesota, South Dakota) and check the McCook Detention Center in Nebraska.
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 (covers North Dakota): StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111 | (612) 843-8600
Burleigh Morton Detention Center - urgent messages: (701) 354-3292 - Leave detainee's full name, A-Number, your name, and callback number.
Burleigh Morton Detention Center - visiting schedule and general inquiries: (701) 255-3113
ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for BMDC: (612) 843-8600
Legal Services of North Dakota: lsnd.org | 1-800-634-5263 (toll-free statewide) | Bismarck, Fargo, and other offices
Step 2: The Burleigh Morton Detention Center - Bismarck
Burleigh Morton Detention Center (BMDC)
221 East Thayer Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501
Mailing address: [Detainee Full Name + A-Number], Burleigh-Morton County Detention Center, PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499
Phone (urgent messages for detainees): (701) 354-3292
Visiting schedule and reservations: (701) 255-3113
ICE case information: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (612) 843-8600
ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer: (612) 843-8600
The Burleigh Morton Detention Center is the largest county jail in North Dakota, operated by the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department in Bismarck. It has a maximum capacity of 555 beds and long-standing contracts with more than 20 agencies including the US Marshals Service, North Dakota Department of Corrections, and ICE. There are no federal ICE facilities in North Dakota - BMDC is ICE's only listed detention facility in the state.
Before the new BMDC building opened, the jail held only a couple of ICE detainees at a time, usually for no more than a day. Since the new facility expanded bed capacity, ICE has used it for larger temporary holds - sometimes keeping detainees for weeks as the national ICE detention system has become overwhelmed. As of June 2025, the US was detaining more than 48,000 people nationwide against a congressional-approved capacity of 41,500. North Dakota bears some of that overflow. BMDC Major Trent Wangen confirmed in June 2025 that ICE detainees from other North Dakota county jails, and from nearby states, are sometimes consolidated at BMDC.
Most ICE detainees held at BMDC were apprehended in North Dakota or Minnesota - many are agricultural workers or people encountered during immigration check-ins.
Visiting the Burleigh Morton Detention Center
Visits do not need to be scheduled in advance, but visitors can call the day before or the day of to reserve a time slot: (701) 255-3113.
A detainee is eligible for visitation after their initial intake, not including the day they were booked in. Detainees must have completed and handed in their visitation form prior to the day of visitation.
All family or other social visits are non-contact. No electronic devices permitted. All visitors subject to search. Visitors are not allowed to pass any items to detainees.
Consular visits: Consular officials may meet with detained nationals at any time; make prior arrangements with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at (612) 843-8600.
Clergy visits: Clergy may visit at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain's Office.
Mail and Money
Mail: [Detainee Full Name + A-Number], Burleigh-Morton County Detention Center, PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499
Money: Money order or cashier's check payable to the detainee, sent to PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499. Include detainee's full name and A-Number.
Packages: Contact (612) 843-8600 before sending packages. No electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptops, radios, etc.).
Other North Dakota County Jails
ICE detainees in North Dakota may also be held at other county jails on a short-term basis, depending on where an arrest occurred. Check the ICE Detainee Locator (locator.ice.gov) and contact the arresting ICE office at StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov if a family member does not appear in the system.
Step 3: Get Legal Help - Very Limited in North Dakota
North Dakota has extremely limited immigration legal infrastructure. The state has no dedicated immigration public defender system and very few nonprofit organizations providing free immigration detention defense. Contact every resource below immediately.
The Advocates for Human Rights - Minneapolis (Upper Midwest detention coverage)
theadvocatesforhumanrights.org | (612) 341-3302 | Minneapolis, MN
The Advocates represents people in the Upper Midwest who are seeking asylum, detained by immigration, unaccompanied children, or trafficking victims. They are the primary organization providing free legal services to detained immigrants in the Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota region. Contact immediately for anyone detained at BMDC or transferred from North Dakota.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) - Fargo Office
ilcm.org | (651) 641-1011 (main) | Fargo office
ILCM opened a Fargo office in 2022 to serve refugees, asylees, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders in the Fargo/North Dakota area. While focused primarily on non-detained cases, ILCM may provide referrals for detained individuals.
Legal Services of North Dakota
lsnd.org | 1-800-634-5263 (toll-free) | Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Devils Lake
Legal Services of North Dakota provides free civil legal services to low-income North Dakotans. While primarily focused on non-immigration civil matters, LSND may provide referrals and Know Your Rights information. Contact for intake screening.
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota - Immigration Services
lssnd.org | Fargo and Bismarck - Provides resettlement services and immigration assistance for refugees and immigrants in North Dakota. Contact for referrals to immigration legal services.
Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service)
globalrefuge.org - National organization; contact for referrals to immigration legal services in North Dakota.
Private immigration attorneys in North Dakota
Carranza Immigration Law, PLLC: 1500 East Capitol Ave, Suite 303, Bismarck ND 58501 | (701) 291-3442 | megan@carranza-law.com
Immigration Law Professionals (Anna Marie Stenson): 112 N University Dr, Suite 316, Fargo ND 58102 | (701) 298-7720
Gokey Immigration Law: 1129 5th Avenue South, Fargo ND 58103 | (701) 356-5995
EOIR Pro Bono List
The Burleigh Morton Detention Center is required to post a pro bono legal service list in housing units. Ask your family member to request the list. Given North Dakota's limited immigration legal infrastructure, also contact The Advocates directly at (612) 341-3302.
Immigration Advocates Network
immigrationadvocates.org - National searchable directory; search by North Dakota and by Minnesota.
Step 4: Bond - How to Get Someone Released
North Dakota falls under the ICE St. Paul Field Office and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld mandatory detention in March 2026. This makes bond hearings more difficult to obtain for many North Dakota ICE detainees. Contact an immigration attorney immediately for bond evaluation.
Bond posting for North Dakota detainees
Bond for North Dakota ICE detainees is posted at the ICE St. Paul Field Office:
ICE ERO St. Paul: 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, avoiding the 280-mile round trip from BMDC to Fort Snelling.
Bond Funds
National Immigrant Bond Fund
immigrantbondfund.org - National fund; requires family contribution.
North Dakota / Upper Midwest mutual aid
Contact The Advocates at (612) 341-3302 and ILCM at (651) 641-1011 for current regional bond assistance resources.
Step 5: Communication at Burleigh Morton Detention Center
Visiting
No advance scheduling required. Can reserve time slot by calling (701) 255-3113 the day before or day of. All visits are non-contact. Detainee must have submitted visitation form prior to visit day. No electronic devices. All visitors subject to search. No items passed to detainees.
Phone
Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. To leave an urgent message: (701) 354-3292 - leave detainee's full name, A-Number, your name, and callback number.
[Detainee Full Name + A-Number], Burleigh-Morton County Detention Center, PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499
Money
Money order or cashier's check payable to the detainee. Mail to PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499 with detainee's full name and A-Number.
Packages
Contact (612) 843-8600 before sending. No electronic devices.
Attorney visits
Contact (612) 843-8600 (ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer) for attorney scheduling. All attorney visits are confidential.
Step 6: North Dakota Context and Your Rights
North Dakota's role in the national capacity shortage:
North Dakota is a small state with a small immigrant population, but it has been pulled into the national ICE detention capacity crisis. The BMDC, which was originally a short-term processing stop, has become a longer-term hold facility as the national system has become overwhelmed with more than 48,000 detainees against a 41,500-bed authorized capacity. People detained in North Dakota or transferred from Minnesota are now staying weeks instead of hours. This changes the calculus for families - a family member who appears to be in North Dakota may remain there much longer than they might have a year ago.
Transfers to other states:
North Dakota ICE detainees may be transferred to the McCook Detention Center (Nebraska), Sherburne County Jail (Minnesota), or other regional facilities if BMDC reaches capacity. Track location using the ICE Detainee Locator daily.
Eighth Circuit and mandatory detention:
North Dakota is in the Eighth Circuit, which upheld the Trump administration's mandatory detention policy in March 2026. This makes bond hearings harder to obtain than in circuit courts that have rejected mandatory detention. Contact an immigration attorney immediately - don't assume bond is unavailable without a legal evaluation.
Do not sign anything without an attorney:
Contact The Advocates at (612) 341-3302 or Legal Services of North Dakota at 1-800-634-5263 before signing any Voluntary Departure document.
Key rights every detainee has:
The right to speak with an attorney. Contact The Advocates and request the BMDC pro bono list.
The right to a bond hearing evaluation - contact an attorney even in the Eighth Circuit, where mandatory detention can be challenged individually.
The right to be free from physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.
The right to access medical care.
The right to communicate with your home country's consulate (free calls required).
To report conditions or file a complaint:
ICE St. Paul: StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (612) 843-8600 | 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111
DHS Inspector General: oig.dhs.gov | 1-800-323-8603
The Advocates: theadvocatesforhumanrights.org | (612) 341-3302
Quick Reference - North Dakota 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) 843-8600
BMDC urgent messages: (701) 354-3292
BMDC visiting/schedule: (701) 255-3113
Primary ND ICE detention facility:
Burleigh Morton Detention Center: 221 E. Thayer Avenue, Bismarck ND
Mail: PO Box 2499, Bismarck, ND 58502-2499
All visits non-contact; no advance schedule required; reserve at (701) 255-3113
Legal help:
The Advocates (Upper Midwest): theadvocatesforhumanrights.org | (612) 341-3302
ILCM Fargo: ilcm.org | (651) 641-1011
Legal Services of ND: lsnd.org | 1-800-634-5263
Post bond:
ICE ERO St. Paul: 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1640, Fort Snelling, MN 55111 | (612) 843-8600
Sources and verification: KXNET, 'ICE Detainees Held in ND Jail as Space Runs Out,' June 6, 2025 (Bismarck Burleigh Morton Detention Center 17 ICE detainees; national shortage 48,000+ detainees vs 41,500 congressional capacity; Burleigh County has worked with federal agencies including ICE for decades; Major Trent Wangen increase in enforcement limitation of bed space working with ICE allowing more prisoners; both detained locally and transferred from other ND jails or nearby states; formerly hours to a day or two now more due to bed shortage; 555 beds maximum capacity; 20+ agency contracts including US Marshals); KFYRTV, 'Burleigh Morton Detention Center Housing More ICE Detainees,' June 6, 2025 (new BMDC more beds than old building; ICE asked for temporary holds for more people entering US illegally; sometimes housed for weeks; before new building only couple ICE detainees at a time usually no more than day not enough room); ND Legislative Government Finance Committee presentation (ndlegis.gov; no federal holding facilities in North Dakota; most ICE detainees at BMDC apprehended ND or Minnesota; less local prisoners allowed BMDC to hold more contract prisoners); ICE Burleigh County Detention Center page (ice.gov; 221 E Thayer Avenue Bismarck ND 58501; (701) 354-3292 urgent messages; (701) 255-3113 visiting schedule reservation; StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov case info; (612) 843-8600 ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer and before sending packages; PO Box 2499 Bismarck ND 58502-2499 mail and money; money order cashier's check payable to detainee; no electronic devices packages; non-contact social visits; visitors subject search; no items passed; detainee eligible visitation after intake not including booking day; visitation form submitted prior to visit day; consular any time prior arrangements (612) 843-8600; clergy any time chaplain arrangements; complaints ICE St. Paul 1 Federal Dr Suite 1640 Ft. Snelling MN 55111); ND HHS immigration services page (Carranza Immigration Law 1500 East Capitol Ave Suite 303 Bismarck 701-291-3442; Immigration Law Professionals Fargo 701-298-7720; Gokey Immigration Law 1129 5th Ave South Fargo 701-356-5995); ILCM (ilcm.org; Fargo office opened 2022 contract state of ND refugees asylees Afghan SIV; (651) 641-1011 main); The Advocates (theadvocatesforhumanrights.org; 612-341-3302; represents Upper Midwest asylum seekers detained immigration unaccompanied children trafficking victims); Legal Services ND (lsnd.org; 1-800-634-5263 toll-free; Bismarck Fargo Grand Forks Minot Williston Devils Lake); LSSND (lssnd.org; Fargo Bismarck; refugee resettlement immigration assistance). Volatile items: Verify Burleigh Morton Detention Center current ICE detainee count and length of stay (17 detainees June 2025 staying longer; verify current population and transfer pattern as national detention crisis continues); verify whether other North Dakota county jails are currently active ICE detention sites (BMDC listed on ice.gov; other ND jails may hold short-term; verify at ice.gov or StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov); verify McCook Detention Center Nebraska current transfer volume from ND (Nebraska article documents transfers from ND/MN area; verify whether ND detainees are being sent to McCook); verify Eighth Circuit mandatory detention ruling current status and impact on ND bond hearings (March 2026 ruling; verify whether any district court judges in ND have ordered bond hearings despite circuit ruling); verify BMDC current visiting hours and procedures ((701) 255-3113; call before traveling from out of area). Last verified: June 2026.