This guide is for people detained by ICE in Rhode Island and for their families. Rhode Island has one ICE detention facility: the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility at 950 High Street, Central Falls, RI 02863. Wyatt is a 770-bed maximum-security facility operated by the Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation, a quasi-public entity, under an Intergovernmental Agreement with ICE, the US Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. ICE detainees at Wyatt come from across New England - Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. ICE has been documented transferring detainees from Wyatt to facilities in other states (including FCI Berlin, NH) overnight without notice. Documented conditions concerns at Wyatt include medical neglect, expensive phone calls, limited food, and arbitrary disciplinary procedures. A March 2025 AMOR report based on letters from 13 concerned detainees and correspondence with more than 40 individuals documented hunger, medical neglect, and exorbitant fees. RI federal courts opened to out-of-state pro bono attorneys in April 2026 in response to a surge in habeas corpus petitions. Two Rhode Island legislative bills (SB 0295 / HB 5724) would end ICE detention at Wyatt - pending as of June 2026. Rhode Island falls under the ICE Boston Field Office. Bond posts in Burlington, MA. Primary resources: AMOR RI, Immigrant Coalition of RI, Ocean State Lawyers for 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). Rhode Island detainees may be at Wyatt in Central Falls, OR may have been transferred overnight to an out-of-state facility - FCI Berlin NH, and other New England and out-of-region facilities have been documented. If the search shows nothing at Wyatt, broaden your search to all states. ICE transfers without notice - one documented case involved waking detainees at 3 AM and transporting them to NH without explanation.
ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line: 1-888-351-4024 (toll-free)
EOIR Immigration Court Case Status: 1-800-898-7180
ICE Boston Field Office (covers Rhode Island): Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov | 1000 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803
Wyatt Detention Facility - detainee information and urgent messages: (401) 729-1190
Case information for Wyatt detainees: Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
AMOR RI rapid response: amorri.org | Providence - Primary community organization supporting Wyatt detainees
Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island: immigrantcoalitionri.org | Providence
Step 2: The Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility
Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility - Central Falls
950 High Street, Central Falls, RI 02863
Phone (detainee information and urgent messages): (401) 729-1190
ICE case information: Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
Attorney visits: ERO eFile at ice.gov
Tablets: gettingout.com - detainees have access to tablets for non-confidential messages
Phone: GTL / ConnectNetwork - calls are expensive; detainees cannot receive incoming calls. AMOR documented that detainees receive only five minutes of call time per Monday, and if the call cuts off, the minutes are lost. Advocacy is ongoing to reduce call costs.
Visiting hours: Contact Wyatt directly at (401) 729-1190 or wyattdetention.com for current visiting schedule and rules. Note that Wyatt serves multiple federal agencies (ICE, US Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, US Navy, and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe), so scheduling procedures are specific.
Mail: [Detainee Name + Last 4 Digits of A-Number + Sender Name/Address], Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, 950 High Street, Central Falls, RI 02863. All incoming mail is screened for contraband but not read.
Money: Contact Wyatt at (401) 729-1190 for current money deposit procedures. AMOR reported that commissary is expensive and call costs are high. Do not mail cash.
Property drop-off: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 2 PM, at the facility address.
Bond: Cannot be posted at Wyatt. Post bond at ICE ERO Boston: 1000 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803.
The Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility is the only ICE detention facility in Rhode Island. It was established in 1993 as the nation's first publicly owned, privately operated adult secure correctional facility. The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation - a quasi-public entity governed by a five-member Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Central Falls - oversees operations. The facility underwent a $47 million expansion in 2006, substantially increasing capacity to 770 beds. As of February 2025, the facility was at capacity with 111 ICE detainees and maintained daily counts of over 100 ICE detainees throughout 2025.
Wyatt's ICE contract has been controversial since at least 2019, when the governing board voted to cancel it - only for a federal judge to order detainees to remain so the facility could continue to pay its financial obligations to bondholders of a $106.4 million bond issued in 2005. The City of Central Falls, a predominantly immigrant and first-generation American city, wrote in 2019 that the detention of recent arrivals was 'abhorrent to the ethos of the City.' The corporation made no payment to the city from 2021 until April 2026, when it paid $250,000 - described as the largest impact fee since 2008.
A 2008 death at Wyatt - that of ICE detainee Hiu Lui 'Jason' Ng - prompted national outrage. A Wyatt administrator infamously told the Providence Journal afterward, 'Frankly, I'm looking at it like I'm running a Motel 6. I don't care if it's Guantanamo Bay. We want to fill the beds.' ICE's 2025 national death toll was 32 - the agency's deadliest year of detention in two decades. In 2026, detainees nationally were dying at approximately one per week.
Step 3: Get Legal Help
Rhode Island has a small but active immigrant legal community concentrated in Providence. In April 2026, RI Chief Federal Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a general order allowing out-of-state attorneys to represent immigration detainees pro bono without joining the court's bar for one year - a direct response to the surge in habeas corpus petitions. Contact organizations immediately on arrest.
AMOR RI (Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance) - Providence
amorri.org | Providence - Primary community organization monitoring and supporting Wyatt detainees. AMOR produced the March 2025 report on Wyatt conditions based on letters from detained individuals and correspondence with over 40 detainees. AMOR has paid bond for immigrants detained at Wyatt and operates a Deportation Defense organizing program. Contact for community rapid response, conditions complaints, and bond assistance referrals.
Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island
immigrantcoalitionri.org | Providence - Provides Know Your Rights information, detention and bond guidance, and direct referrals for detained immigrants. Their Detention and Bond page has downloadable resources on bond hearings.
Ocean State Lawyers for Immigrants
Contact through immigrantcoalitionri.org - Volunteer attorney network providing free immigration legal help to Rhode Island immigrants, including detained individuals.
Rhode Island Legal Services
rils.org | (401) 274-2652 | Providence - Free legal services for low-income Rhode Islanders. Contact for immigration legal help and referrals.
Roger Williams University School of Law Immigration Clinic
law.rwu.edu | Bristol - Provides immigration legal representation and has produced bond resources specifically for Wyatt detainees (downloadable from immigrantcoalitionri.org).
ACLU of Rhode Island
riaclu.org | (401) 831-7171 | Providence - Civil rights advocacy and litigation for immigrants in Rhode Island. Contact for civil rights violations and referrals.
National Immigrant Justice Center
immigrantjustice.org - National free legal representation; has New England network.
EOIR Pro Bono List
Wyatt is required to post a pro bono legal service list in housing units. Ask your family member to request this list. The RI federal court's April 2026 order welcoming out-of-state attorneys means representation options have expanded - any attorney who has read the general order can file appearances.
Step 4: Bond
Rhode Island is in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which has generally been protective of immigrants' rights. Bond hearings are possible for many Wyatt detainees. AMOR RI has paid bond for Wyatt detainees. Roger Williams University has a downloadable bond pamphlet at immigrantcoalitionri.org covering how to request a bond hearing and what evidence to bring.
People who cannot get bond from an immigration judge - including those classified under mandatory detention - may be able to challenge detention through habeas corpus in the US District Court in Providence. The April 2026 general order welcoming out-of-state attorneys specifically mentions the surge in habeas corpus petitions. Contact an attorney immediately to assess options.
Bond posting for Rhode Island detainees
Bond CANNOT be posted directly at Wyatt. Post bond at:
ICE ERO Boston: 1000 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803 | Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
Payment: Money order, cashier's check, or certified check payable to 'Department of Homeland Security.'
A licensed immigration bond agent can post bond electronically for a fee.
Bond funds
AMOR RI: amorri.org - Has paid bond for Wyatt detainees.
National Immigrant Bond Fund: immigrantbondfund.org - National fund; requires family contribution.
Immigrant Coalition of RI: immigrantcoalitionri.org - Contact for Rhode Island-specific bond assistance referrals.
Step 5: Communication at Wyatt
Visiting: Contact (401) 729-1190 or wyattdetention.com for current hours, rules, and dress code requirements. Wyatt houses multiple federal populations with different procedures.
Phone calls: GTL / ConnectNetwork - expensive. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls. Calls are recorded and monitored except for privileged legal calls. AMOR reported detainees receive only five free minutes per Monday. Additional calls require commissary funds.
Tablets: gettingout.com - for non-confidential messages with family.
Mail: [Detainee Name + Last 4 digits A-Number], 950 High Street, Central Falls RI 02863. Include sender name and address on envelope. Mail is inspected but not read. Stamps are available for purchase.
Money: Contact (401) 729-1190 for current money deposit instructions. Do not mail cash - funds received by mail are processed but cash will not be accepted.
Property drop-off: Monday-Friday 8 AM-2 PM at the facility. No electronic devices accepted.
Attorney visits: ERO eFile at ice.gov. Legal mail is protected - mark envelopes 'Legal/Confidential Mail.'
Step 6: Rhode Island Context and Your Rights
Overnight transfers - know the risk:
Ocean State Media documented in April 2026 that ICE transferred detainees from Wyatt to FCI Berlin, New Hampshire overnight with no warning and no reason given. One detainee described being woken at 3 AM: 'They just came and knocked at the door saying Get dressed, you're leaving. They never gave us a reason - nothing.' He thought he was being deported and had no way to contact his family. Once at FCI Berlin, he feared another transfer or sudden deportation. His attorney said the transfer 'introduces all kinds of frustrations and difficulties in just being able to speak to your client, but the largest one is that you're no longer able to sit with your client.'
The LA Times found 12% of ICE detainees nationally had been transferred at least four times. ICE used 104 more facilities by November 2025 than at the start of the year. If a family member is transferred, check the ICE Detainee Locator daily and contact the attorney immediately.
Habeas corpus - the legal tool for wrongful transfer or detention:
Rhode Island's federal court has seen a surge in habeas corpus petitions challenging both wrongful detention and transfers. In April 2026, Chief Judge McConnell issued a general order allowing out-of-state attorneys to appear pro bono without bar admission - specifically to address the habeas corpus surge. Habeas petitions have been used to prevent transfers, compel ICE to return transferred detainees, and challenge unlawful detention. Contact an attorney immediately if a family member faces transfer or is denied a bond hearing.
AMOR's documented conditions at Wyatt (March 2025):
Based on a letter from 13 concerned detainees and correspondence with more than 40 individuals, AMOR documented: hunger and insufficient food quantity; expensive commissary; only 5 minutes of free phone time per week, with lost minutes if the call drops; medical neglect including new reports of deeply concerning medical treatment; arbitrary punishment; exorbitant recreation costs. AMOR has been actively campaigning for Rhode Island legislation (SB 0295 / HB 5724) to end ICE detention at Wyatt entirely.
Legislative fight to close ICE at Wyatt:
Two Central Falls legislators - Sen. Jonathan Acosta and Rep. Joshua Giraldo - introduced SB 0295 and HB 5724, which would bar any state or municipal entity from entering or renewing a contract with the federal government to detain people for civil immigration violations. Wyatt is the only entity in Rhode Island with such a contract. The bills were the subject of a May 4, 2026 protest outside Wyatt organized by AMOR. Status as of June 2026: pending in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
The bondholder problem:
The Wyatt cannot simply end its ICE contract because of $106.4 million in bonds issued in 2005. A federal judge ordered detainees to remain in 2019 when the governing board voted to cancel the ICE contract. The bondholders - banks and corporations outside Rhode Island - require the revenue. The Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation paid nothing to the City of Central Falls from 2021 to April 2026. This financial structure is why ICE detention continues at Wyatt despite opposition from the city, advocacy organizations, and community members.
Do not sign anything without an attorney:
Contact AMOR RI (amorri.org) or Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island (immigrantcoalitionri.org) before signing any Voluntary Departure document.
Key rights every detainee has:
The right to speak with an attorney. Request the pro bono list. Contact AMOR RI and Immigrant Coalition of RI.
The right to a bond hearing (unless subject to mandatory detention) - AMOR RI can help connect with attorneys.
The right to challenge detention through habeas corpus in RI federal court - out-of-state attorneys are now welcomed.
The right to communicate with your home country's consulate (free calls required).
The right to be free from physical and verbal abuse and medical neglect.
The right to adequate food and medical care - AMOR has documented ongoing concerns at Wyatt in both areas.
To report conditions or file a complaint:
AMOR RI: amorri.org | Providence
Immigrant Coalition of RI: immigrantcoalitionri.org
ACLU of Rhode Island: riaclu.org | (401) 831-7171
DHS Inspector General: oig.dhs.gov | 1-800-323-8603
ICE Boston Field Office: Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
Quick Reference - Rhode Island ICE Detainee Resources
Find a detainee (search broadly - overnight transfers documented):
ICE Detainee Locator: locator.ice.gov
ICE Detention Reporting Line: 1-888-351-4024
EOIR Case Status: 1-800-898-7180
ICE Boston: Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
Wyatt facility: (401) 729-1190
Wyatt Detention Facility:
950 High Street, Central Falls, RI 02863 | (401) 729-1190
770 beds | Maximum security | Quasi-public (Central Falls Detention Facility Corporation)
Visiting: wyattdetention.com or call (401) 729-1190 for schedule
Mail: Include last 4 digits of A-number | 950 High Street, Central Falls RI 02863
Tablets: gettingout.com | Attorney visits: ERO eFile at ice.gov
Legal help:
AMOR RI: amorri.org | Providence (rapid response, bond, conditions)
Immigrant Coalition of RI: immigrantcoalitionri.org | Providence
ACLU of Rhode Island: riaclu.org | (401) 831-7171
RI Legal Services: rils.org | (401) 274-2652
Post bond (NOT at Wyatt):
ICE ERO Boston: 1000 District Ave, Burlington, MA 01803 | Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov
VOLATILE: SB 0295 / HB 5724 pending in RI General Assembly - would end ICE detention at Wyatt. Monitor amorri.org for current status.
Sources and verification: Ocean State Media / New England News Collaborative, 'He Built a Life in Rhode Island. ICE Moved Him Out of State Overnight,' April 29, 2026 (D Guatemalan immigrant Providence 20 years detained November; Wyatt Central Falls 10 days then woken 3 AM transferred no warning no reason van to FCI Berlin NH cramped van several others; Elise McCaffery Pawtucket immigration attorney 'introduces all kinds of frustrations difficulties just being able to speak to your client but largest one is that you're no longer able to sit with your client'; Realmuto membership doubled last year habeas petitions prevent transfer prevent transfer from place face criminal court compel ICE bring person back; 12% detainees transferred at least 4 times LA Times; OPB five-fold increase transferring detainees more than 1,000 miles; Wyatt did not respond; D released on bond late December US citizen friends letters vouching long history nephew caretaker); Rhode Island Current, 'Magaziner Visits ICE Detainees at Wyatt,' February 19, 2026 (Magaziner unannounced visit February 17 2026; statement focused on conditions basic needs access legal counsel due process medical services nutrition; conspicuously light on details; 2025 32 deaths ICE custody deadliest year two decades; 2026 one per week; 2008 Hiu Lui Jason Ng death national shock outrage; Wyatt administrator Motel 6 don't care Guantanamo Bay want to fill beds; AMOR report hunger medical neglect exorbitant fees arbitrary punishment); Rhode Island Current, 'City of Central Falls Receives First Payment from Wyatt Since 2021,' May 7, 2026 ($250,000 payment April 10 2026 largest since 2008; paid nothing 2021 to 2026; SB 0295 HB 5724 Jonathan Acosta Joshua Giraldo bar state/municipal contracting federal government civil immigration detention; Wyatt only entity in Rhode Island with such contract; AMOR May 4 2026 protest 'ICE out of Wyatt'; Sophia de los Reyes 'no amount of money could justify unchecked conditions of neglect'; 770-bed quasi-private; daily population over 100 ICE detainees throughout 2025; $106.4 million bond 2005; 2019 governing board voted to cancel ICE contract federal judge ordered remain to pay financial obligations; bondholders banks and corporations outside RI); AMOR Community Response Team report (March 10 2025 letter 13 concerned detainees plus 40+ individuals; February 24 2025 111 ICE detainees at capacity; calls expensive 5 minutes Monday cuts off can't use minutes; commissary very expensive; food not enough in size; medical treatment deeply concerning; Central Falls 2019 letter 'abhorrent to ethos of the City predominantly immigrant first generation American city'; corporation paid nothing to City since 2021); Rhode Island Current archives (Chief Judge McConnell general order April 2026 out-of-state attorneys represent detainees pro bono without bar admission one year surge habeas corpus petitions); ICE Wyatt page (ice.gov; 950 High Street Central Falls RI 02863; (401) 729-1190 urgent messages; Boston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov case information; ICE Boston Field Office 1000 District Avenue Burlington MA 01803; ERO eFile attorneys; tablets gettingout.com; mail last 4 digits A-number sender name address; property drop-off Mon-Fri 8AM-2PM; bondnantlat Wyatt); Wyatt facility website (wyattdetention.com; 730 adult male 40 adult female max capacity; ACA accreditation 100% mandatory nonmandatory standards; RI CT MA NH ME VT detainees; also FBP ICE US Navy Mashantucket PequntlTribe; data breachnantice 12,890 detainees 7,618 staff 185 vendors affected); immigrantcoalitionri.org (AMOR RI paid bond Wyatt detainees; Roger Williams University bond pamphlet download; ICE/DHS can move you any facility anytime must tell you and lawyer on day of move); Global Detention Project (37,722 average daily migrant detainee population historically; 277,913 migration detainee entries historically). Volatile items: Verify current visiting hours and procedures at Wyatt (contact (401) 729-1190 and wyattdetention.com; multiple federal populations with different rules); verify status of SB 0295 and HB 5724 in RI General Assembly (introduced by Acosta and Giraldo; pending as of May 2026; verify current status and whether enacted); verify current ICE detainee population at Wyatt (111 at capacity February 2025; over 100 daily throughout 2025; verify current count); verify whether out-of-state attorney general order has been extended or made permanent (issued April 2026 for one year; verify current); verify current money deposit procedures at Wyatt ((401) 729-1190); verify ICE ERO Boston bond posting address (1000 District Avenue Burlington MA 01803; verify current and hours). Last verified: June 2026.