Ohio: Resources for ICE Detainees

This guide is for people detained by ICE in Ohio and for their families. Ohio has six county and regional facilities with ICE detention contracts. Together they earned more than $13.2 million from ICE in 2025 - a dramatic expansion from two facilities at the end of 2024. The average daily detained population in Ohio rose from 117 in early 2025 to 656 by year-end. Between January 2025 and March 2026, a total of 7,756 people were detained by ICE in Ohio - fewer than 5% of whom had been convicted of a violent offense. The largest operation, 'Operation Buckeye,' arrested more than 280 people in Columbus in December 2025, with 137 sent directly to Butler County Jail. ICE enforcement in Ohio has been concentrated in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Multiple lawsuits alleging overcrowding, excessive force, and medical neglect are active at Butler County Jail. The bond landscape is complex - the Sixth Circuit is actively litigating whether immigration judges have authority to hold bond hearings for certain classes of Ohio detainees. Ohio falls under the ICE Detroit Field Office. Bond posts in Blue Ash (Cincinnati area). Primary legal resources: Ohio Immigrant Alliance, ACLU of Ohio, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. 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). Ohio detainees may be held at any of six facilities depending on where the arrest occurred. Search broadly.

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

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

ICE Detroit Field Office (covers Ohio): Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

Butler County Jail - detainee information: (614) 469-2900 | 8 AM-4 PM

Butler County ICE case information: Records@butlersheriff.org

Ohio Immigrant Alliance rapid response: ohioimmigrant.org | (614) 884-6582 | Columbus

ACLU of Ohio: acluohio.org | (614) 228-8751 | Columbus

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE): ablelaw.org | (419) 255-0814 | Toledo (serves CCNO area)

Step 2: The Six Ohio ICE Detention Facilities

Butler County Jail (Butler County Correctional Complex) - Hamilton (Primary Facility)

705 Hanover Street, Hamilton, OH 45011

Facility phone: (513) 785-1191

Detainee information: (614) 469-2900 (8 AM-4 PM) | ICE case info: Records@butlersheriff.org

ICE Detroit Field Office: (313) 568-6049

Money: Access Corrections - (866) 345-1884 | AccessCorrections.com | lobby kiosk at 705 Hanover Street | Cash at any CashPay Today location (including Dollar General). Do not mail cash.

Attorney visits: Schedule through ERO eFile (ice.gov)

ICE complaints address: Detroit Field Office, Enforcement and Removal Operations

Butler County Jail in Hamilton (southwestern Ohio, 30 miles north of Cincinnati) is Ohio's primary ICE detention facility and the hub for ICE arrests across southwest and central Ohio. The jail has an 860-bed general capacity but regularly exceeds that - as of December 2025, there were 1,044 people in the facility, against an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections recommended capacity of 756. The facility held as many as 450 ICE detainees in a single day as of July 2025, with a typical daily count between 360 and 450. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones has been a vocal proponent of immigration enforcement for more than 20 years. Ten deputies are enrolled in ICE's 287(g) program.

Butler County Jail was paid $68 per ICE detainee per day for most of 2025 - the lowest rate of any Ohio ICE facility - but absorbed nearly half of Ohio's total ICE detention payments due to volume. In November 2025, the sheriff updated the agreement to $105 per detainee per day. In December 2025, Operation Buckeye sent 137 of its 280+ Columbus-area arrests to Butler County.

Multiple civil lawsuits alleging excessive force, medical neglect, and overcrowding at Butler County Jail are active as of 2026. The Ohio Immigrant Alliance and Ignite Peace Program have documented ongoing concerns about conditions and due process at the facility.

Visiting: Organized alphabetically by detainee's last name. Visitors should plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time for security processing. Contact facility at (513) 785-1191 for the current alphabetical visiting schedule before traveling.

Saturday: 9 AM-11 AM, 1 PM-5 PM, 7 PM-9 PM

Sunday: 9 AM-11 AM, 1 PM-5 PM, 7 PM-9 PM

Additional holiday visitation may be announced to the detainee directly.

Mail: Contact facility via Records@butlersheriff.org for current mailing procedures. The Butler County Sheriff's Correctional Complex will not receive packages directly - contact the ICE Field Office to arrange a drop-off or get mailing instructions.

Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) - Stryker

3151 County Road 24.2, Stryker, OH 43557

ICE case information: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

CCNO is a regional corrections facility in rural northwest Ohio, approximately 45 miles southwest of Toledo. It is the second-largest ICE detention facility in Ohio and received 61 of the December 2025 Operation Buckeye detainees. A federal habeas case filed in December 2025 documented an ICE detainee held at CCNO - a woman who had lived in the US for 21 years before detention. Legal services available through Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) in Toledo. Contact CCNO directly at (419) 682-7191 for visiting hours and detainee information.

Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC) - Youngstown

2240 Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505

ICE case information: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

NEOCC is operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) in Youngstown (Mahoning County, northeastern Ohio). It held the highest total number of incarcerated people in Ohio during 2025 along with Butler County. A federal habeas case filed in 2026 alleged lack of medical care at NEOCC (Blas Lozano v. U.S. AG). Contact NEOCC through the ODRC at (330) 743-0700 for visiting hours and detainee procedures.

Mahoning County Justice Center - Youngstown

110 Fifth Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44503

ICE case information: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

The Mahoning County Justice Center in Youngstown also holds ICE detainees. Together with NEOCC, it serves as northeastern Ohio's ICE detention hub. Contact (330) 740-2310 for detainee information, visiting hours, and communication procedures.

Geauga County Safety Center - Chardon

12450 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024

ICE case information: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

The Geauga County Safety Center in Chardon (northeast of Cleveland) holds ICE detainees for longer periods than some other Ohio facilities. Federal habeas petitions filed in early 2026 (Kourouma v. DHS, Thiam v. DHS) documented detainees held there - one since at least July 2025 - with federal courts ordering ICE responses. Contact (440) 285-2222 for current detainee procedures.

Seneca County Jail - Tiffin

3040 South State Route 100, Tiffin, OH 44883

ICE case information: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

Seneca County Jail in Tiffin (north-central Ohio, near Toledo) has a 287(g) agreement with ICE in addition to its detention contract, and holds ICE detainees for longer periods. Received 10 detainees from Operation Buckeye in December 2025. Contact (419) 447-3242 for current procedures.

Step 3: Get Legal Help

Ohio has growing but still-limited immigration legal infrastructure for detained immigrants. The bond landscape is actively contested in the courts. Contact legal organizations immediately.

Ohio Immigrant Alliance

ohioimmigrant.org | (614) 884-6582 | Columbus

The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is the primary statewide immigrant advocacy organization. They produced the 2026 Ohio ICE Activity Report documenting all 7,756 ICE detentions in the state, maintain a litigation tracker for Ohio ICE cases, and provide community rapid response. Contact for referrals, community support, and to report ICE enforcement activity.

ACLU of Ohio

acluohio.org | (614) 228-8751 | Columbus

ACLU of Ohio released the 'ICE in Ohio' report in March 2026 documenting the expansion of ICE contracts across the state. They are actively litigating multiple cases challenging ICE detention conditions in Ohio and sent cautionary letters to all Ohio entities with ICE contracts. Contact for civil rights violations, conditions complaints, and referrals.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) - Toledo

ablelaw.org | (419) 255-0814 | Toledo - Provides free civil legal services in northwest Ohio, including immigration matters. Key resource for CCNO and Seneca County detainees.

Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) - Columbus

crisohio.org | (614) 882-7497 | Columbus - Immigration legal services and refugee resettlement in central Ohio. Participating in litigation against ICE for unlawful arrests. Key Columbus-area resource.

Catholic Social Services - Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati

Contact through ohioimmigrant.org for current immigration legal services at CSS offices statewide.

Marshall, Forman and Schlein - Columbus

marshallforman.com | Columbus - Private law firm that has been actively litigating ICE detention cases in Ohio, including the class-action lawsuit alleging ICE failed to conduct individualized risk assessments before detention.

EOIR Pro Bono Lists

All six Ohio ICE detention facilities are required to post pro bono legal service lists in housing units. Ask your family member to request the list. Cases go primarily through the Cleveland Immigration Court; some transfer to Detroit EOIR.

Immigration Advocates Network

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

Step 4: Bond - Complex Legal Landscape in Ohio

Bond in Ohio is one of the most actively contested legal areas in the country as of 2026. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in March 2026 on four consolidated cases addressing whether certain detained immigrants are entitled to bond hearings. The key issue: ICE has been classifying many long-term Ohio residents - including people who entered without inspection (EWI) years or decades ago - as subject to INA Section 1225(b)(2), which immigration judges interpret as giving them no bond jurisdiction. When an immigration judge issues a 'no jurisdiction' ruling on bond, the only remaining avenue is a habeas corpus petition in US District Court.

The BIA's Matter of Yajure Hurtado (2025) decision removed bond eligibility for many long-term undocumented Ohio residents. However, multiple federal district court judges in Ohio's Northern and Southern Districts have granted habeas petitions and ordered bond hearings despite this. Contact an immigration attorney immediately to assess individual eligibility and determine whether a habeas petition is appropriate.

Bond posting for Ohio detainees

Bond CANNOT be posted directly at any Ohio ICE detention facility. The closest ICE-ERO facility for most Ohio cases (particularly Butler County):

ICE ERO Blue Ash (Cincinnati area): 9875 Redhill Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242 | (513) 246-1470 | Monday-Friday 9 AM-3 PM (except holidays)

ICE ERO Cleveland: Contact Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov for Cleveland-area bond posting location for northern Ohio facilities.

Payment: Money order, cashier's check, or certified check payable to 'Department of Homeland Security.' For bonds over $10,000, only a single cashier's check or certified check is accepted.

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

Bond Funds

National Immigrant Bond Fund

immigrantbondfund.org - National fund; requires family contribution.

Ohio mutual aid

Contact Ohio Immigrant Alliance (614-884-6582) and CRIS Columbus for current Ohio-specific bond assistance resources.

Step 5: Communication at Ohio Facilities

Butler County Jail - Hamilton

Visiting: Alphabetical by last name; arrive 45 minutes early. Contact (513) 785-1191 for your last-name group's schedule. Saturday and Sunday: 9-11 AM, 1-5 PM, 7-9 PM.

Money: Access Corrections - (866) 345-1884 | AccessCorrections.com | lobby kiosk | CashPay Today locations including Dollar General. No cash by mail.

Phone: Contact facility at (513) 785-1191 for current phone system. Leave urgent messages at (614) 469-2900.

Attorney visits: ERO eFile at ice.gov.

Mail/packages: Do not send packages directly to facility. Contact ICE Field Office at Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov for drop-off or mailing instructions.

Other Ohio Facilities

CCNO (Stryker): (419) 682-7191 - contact for visiting hours and procedures

NEOCC (Youngstown): (330) 743-0700 - contact for visiting hours and procedures

Mahoning County Justice Center (Youngstown): (330) 740-2310

Geauga County Safety Center (Chardon): (440) 285-2222

Seneca County Jail (Tiffin): (419) 447-3242

Step 6: Ohio Context and Your Rights

Ohio's dramatic expansion - 2 to 6 facilities in 2025:

At the end of 2024, Ohio had two ICE detention facilities. By December 2025, there were six. The average daily population went from 117 to 656 in one year. Ohio paid $13.2 million to detention facilities in 2025, plus $500,000 in transportation fees. When out-of-state detention costs are included, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance estimated the total direct cost at $35.2 million. This expansion occurred with relatively little public debate and was driven largely by individual county sheriffs signing agreements, not statewide policy.

Operation Buckeye and Columbus enforcement:

ICE's Operation Buckeye in December 2025 arrested more than 280 people in the Columbus area in five days - more than 11 times Columbus's typical weekly arrest number. 93% were men; 80% appeared to be Latino; fewer than 5% had violent criminal convictions. Fear of ICE enforcement in Columbus caused some families to stop sending their children to school and to avoid immigration check-ins, according to advocates. Operation Buckeye continued after the holiday period.

Sixth Circuit habeas litigation - bond is contested:

Ohio is a national battleground for the bond rights of long-term US residents detained by ICE. The Sixth Circuit heard arguments in March 2026 on four consolidated cases. Multiple federal district court judges have granted habeas petitions and ordered bond hearings for Ohio ICE detainees. If an immigration judge tells your family member they have 'no jurisdiction' to hold a bond hearing, contact a lawyer immediately to file habeas. Time matters - federal courts have ordered ICE to provide bond hearings within 10 business days or release people.

Butler County Jail - overcrowding and lawsuits:

Butler County Jail was holding 1,044 people in December 2025 against a recommended capacity of 756 - 38% over the Ohio DRC-recommended maximum. Multiple lawsuits alleging excessive force and medical neglect are active. State legislators wrote to the Ohio DRC about unsafe conditions. If a family member at Butler County reports medical concerns or abuse, contact ACLU of Ohio at (614) 228-8751 and DHS OIG immediately.

Do not sign anything without an attorney:

ICE has been using 'voluntary departure' documents aggressively in Ohio, including in contexts where advocates say they were signed under coercive conditions. Contact Ohio Immigrant Alliance at (614) 884-6582 or ACLU of Ohio at (614) 228-8751 before signing anything.

Key rights every detainee has:

The right to speak with an attorney. Ask for the pro bono list; contact Ohio Immigrant Alliance and ACLU of Ohio.

The right to challenge detention through habeas corpus in federal court if the immigration judge claims no bond jurisdiction - contact a lawyer immediately.

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

The right to adequate medical care. Lawsuits active at Butler County and NEOCC.

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

To report conditions, overcrowding, or file a complaint:

ACLU of Ohio: acluohio.org | (614) 228-8751

Ohio Immigrant Alliance: ohioimmigrant.org | (614) 884-6582

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

ICE Detroit: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

Quick Reference - Ohio 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 Detroit Field Office: Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | (313) 568-6049

Butler County detainee info: (614) 469-2900 | Records@butlersheriff.org

Six Ohio ICE detention facilities:

Butler County Jail (Hamilton, primary): 705 Hanover St | (513) 785-1191

CCNO (Stryker): 3151 CR 24.2 | (419) 682-7191

NEOCC (Youngstown): 2240 Hubbard Rd | (330) 743-0700

Mahoning County Justice Center (Youngstown): 110 Fifth Ave | (330) 740-2310

Geauga County Safety Center (Chardon): 12450 Merritt Rd | (440) 285-2222

Seneca County Jail (Tiffin): 3040 S SR 100 | (419) 447-3242

Legal help:

Ohio Immigrant Alliance: ohioimmigrant.org | (614) 884-6582

ACLU of Ohio: acluohio.org | (614) 228-8751

ABLE (northwest Ohio): ablelaw.org | (419) 255-0814

CRIS (Columbus): crisohio.org | (614) 882-7497

Post bond (not at detention facilities):

ICE ERO Blue Ash (Cincinnati): 9875 Redhill Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242 | (513) 246-1470 | Mon-Fri 9 AM-3 PM

Northern Ohio: Contact Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov for Cleveland ERO bond location

Butler County money:

Access Corrections: (866) 345-1884 | AccessCorrections.com | CashPay/Dollar General

Sources and verification: Ohio Capital Journal, 'ICE Detained More Than 280 People in Central Ohio During One Week in December,' January 16, 2026 (Operation Buckeye December 16-21 2025; 280+ DHS claims; 214 confirmed OIA; 137 Butler County 61 CCNO 10 Seneca 3 Mahoning; six Ohio facilities: Butler County Hamilton Seneca Tiffin Geauga Chardon CCNO Stryker NEOCC Youngstown Mahoning Youngstown; overcrowded 1044 Butler County vs 844 general capacity vs ODRC recommended 756; state reps letter Cockley Sigrist DeMora; 93% men 80% Latino; Lynn Tramonte OIA executive director quote; Eldredge clients afraid ICE check-ins; children kept home from school; lack of space in detention centers problem December); Spectrum News, 'Ohio Immigrant Alliance Releases Report on ICE Detentions in Ohio,' May 19, 2026 (7756 people detained January 2025 March 2026; less than 5% convicted violent offense; majority arrests Cincinnati Columbus Cleveland; Operation Buckeye 238 arrested 11x weekly average Columbus; 2 jails end 2024 6 end 2025; average statewide daily population 656 2025 vs 117 year before; Butler NEOCC highest numbers; Butler Mahoning short-term Seneca Geauga longer-term; $13.2 million plus $500,000 transportation; $35.2 million total including out-of-state OIA estimate); NBC4/WKBN, 'ICE Paid Ohio Prisons Over $13.2 Million Last Year to House Immigrants,' April 2, 2026 (six Ohio facilities ice.gov; $13.2 million total; Butler County lowest $68/day most 2025 about half payments; Operation Buckeye December Butler held nearly all 280 arrested; agreement updated November $105/detainee; remaining five facilities each made more than $1 million; three contract types: transport services add-on existing agreements 287g; ACLU Ohio comment); Journal News, 'Inside the Butler County Jail, Southwest Ohio's ICE Holding Facility,' July 17, 2025 (Hamilton 30 miles north Cincinnati; 860 beds often fills half ICE; July 10 384 of 860 ICE less than 8% non-immigration charges; fluctuates as few as handful days; as many as 450 two weeks ago; around 360 recent days; $68 per ICE detainee per day plus $36 per hour transportation; sheriffs negotiating higher per-diem; agencies from around region bring detainees; Ignite Peace Samantha Searls gathering information overcrowding treatment; 2024 lawsuit motions September; Ann Brown Hamilton please get out of deportation business; Searls should not have federal police powers layers for reason); ACLU Ohio ICE in Ohio page (acluohio.org; March 2026 report dramatic expansion year one Trump second term; jail bed space contracts transport services 287g; sent cautionary letters all Ohio entities with immigration contracts urging rescind; April 2026 Gratis PD will end 287g participation); Ohio Immigrant Alliance litigation update page (ohioimmigrant.org; habeas conditionally granted 1/14/2026 DHS ordered bond hearing 10 business days or release; Mejicanos Cuyun CCNO female ICE detainee EWI 21 years US; Cleveland Immigration Court no jurisdiction bond; M.A. v. Molina minor habeas released 3/17/2026; Ruiz-Zara habeas granted 3/9/2026 bond hearing or release; Blas Lozano NEOCC medical care dismissed w/o prejudice ICE response required; Kourouma Thiam Geauga County Jail George Katchmer March 2026; Thiam detained since at least July 2025; 14-attorney team ACLU ABLE Gittes CRIS Marshall Forman Schlein filed ICE failed individualized risk assessments Accardi doctrine; 3/18/2026 Sixth Circuit heard four consolidated cases mandatory detention; 3/13/2026 ICE stopped filing Motions to Pretermit asylum claims; Yajure Hurtado BIA 2025 EWI applicants for admission IJ no bond jurisdiction); ICE Butler County page (ice.gov; 705 Hanover Street Hamilton OH 45011; Records@butlersheriff.org case info; (614) 469-2900 8AM-4PM; Detroit.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov; Access Corrections (866) 345-1884 AccessCorrections.com kiosk 705 Hanover lobby Cash walk-in CashPay Today Dollar General; no cash by mail returned to sender; no packages at facility contact ICE Field Office; Saturday 9-11 1-5 7-9 Sunday 9-11 1-5 7-9 additional holiday; ERO eFile attorney; arrive 45 minutes early; Detroit ICE FOD complaints); cfiaus.com Ohio (bond: 9875 Redhill Drive Blue Ash OH 45242 (513) 246-1470 Mon-Fri 9AM-3PM; (614) 469-2900 detainee information 8AM-4PM; alphabetical visiting; NEOCC 2240 Hubbard Rd Youngstown 44505; Mahoning 110 Fifth Ave Youngstown 44503; Geauga 12450 Merritt Rd Chardon 44024; Seneca 3040 S SR 100 Tiffin 44883; CCNO 3151 County Road 24.2 Stryker 43557; facility main telephone (513) 785-1191; Detroit field office (313) 568-6049). Volatile items: Verify Butler County Jail current ICE detainee count and conditions (450+ at peak July 2025; 1044 total December 2025; verify June 2026 population and active lawsuit status); verify Sixth Circuit consolidated bond cases current status (heard arguments March 18 2026; verify whether ruling issued as of June 2026 and impact on Ohio bond eligibility); verify whether additional Ohio county facilities have entered ICE contracts (2 to 6 in 2025; ACLU Ohio sent cautionary letters to all Ohio entities; verify current list at ice.gov); verify Blue Ash ICE ERO bond office current hours and address (9875 Redhill Drive (513) 246-1470 Mon-Fri 9AM-3PM; confirm current before traveling); verify Butler County visiting schedule (alphabetical current schedule at (513) 785-1191; arrive 45 minutes early). Last verified: June 2026.