Desert View ICE is an immigration detention facility in Adelanto, CA, operating under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). People held here are civil immigration detainees - they are not serving a criminal sentence. They are being held while their immigration cases proceed, which may include removal proceedings, bond hearings, asylum claims, or other immigration court processes. Information on this page was last verified August 2026.
InmateAid has been providing information to families navigating incarceration and immigration detention since 2012. We provide factual, regularly updated information to help families stay connected and understand the process. InmateAid holds a BBB A+ rating.
Need immediate help? If your family member was recently detained, contact a licensed immigration attorney or legal aid organization as soon as possible. See the legal resources below or Contact InmateAid for guidance.
The primary tool for locating someone in ICE custody is the ICE Online Detainee Locator. You will need one of the following:
- The detainee's A-Number (Alien Registration Number) - a nine-digit number that begins with A or #. If shorter than nine digits, add leading zeros to reach nine total. This is the most reliable search method.
- The detainee's full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth - exact matches only.
The ICE locator has limitations. ICE is currently detaining people in more facilities than the system consistently reflects, and recent transfers may take 24 to 48 hours or longer to update. If the locator shows no result:
1. Call the ICE ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) tip line at 888-351-4024
2. Call Desert View ICE directly at 760-246-1171
3. Search InmateAid's detainee locator which draws from multiple data sources
4. Contact an immigration attorney or legal aid organization - attorneys sometimes have faster access to ICE custody records
If you believe someone was recently detained but cannot confirm where, call the ICE detainee locator line at 888-351-4024 with as much identifying information as possible.
ICE detention is civil administrative detention, not criminal incarceration. People held at Desert View ICE have not been convicted of a crime simply by being in detention. They are being held while U.S. immigration authorities process their cases - which may include removal (deportation) proceedings, bond hearings, asylum claims, or appeals.
Civil immigration detention is governed by ICE detention standards, not by state or local criminal justice rules. This distinction affects detainee rights, access to legal counsel, and the processes available to challenge detention.
Key differences from criminal jail:
- No right to a government-appointed attorney. Detainees have the right to legal representation but must secure it themselves or through nonprofit legal aid.
- Detention is not a sentence. There is no fixed end date - detention continues while the immigration case proceeds.
- The case proceeds through immigration court (EOIR), not a criminal court.
- Bond may be available for some detainees - an immigration judge or ICE officer may set bond, which the family can pay to secure release while the case continues.
Understanding these differences is important for knowing what steps to take and which resources apply.
Phone calls from Desert View ICE are outbound - your family member calls you. Calls are generally recorded and monitored. Calls to attorneys are handled separately under legal privilege procedures and should not be recorded.
Contact Desert View ICE at 760-246-1171 to confirm the current phone provider and how to set up an account to receive calls.
Note: immigration detainees sometimes have access to free or low-cost legal calls through facility legal services or nonprofit programs. An immigration attorney can advise on what communication options are available for legal representation purposes.
Visitation rules at ICE detention facilities vary significantly by facility, contract type, and current operational status. Some facilities permit in-person visits; others have suspended visitation or permit only legal visits. Video visitation may be available at some facilities.
Before making the trip, call Desert View ICE at 760-246-1171 to confirm:
- Whether in-person visitation is currently available
- Current visiting hours and days
- Whether advance registration is required
- What identification visitors must present
- Whether children are permitted
Do not travel to the facility without confirming visitation is available. Rules can change without public notice. Read InmateAid's visitation guide for a general checklist of what to bring and what to expect.
Visitation Information - Desert View Annex
Facility Contacts
ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer: 760-561-6100 Chaplain's Office: 760-561-6100 Exigent circumstance line for legal visits: 760-561-6208
Visiting Hours
Visitation days are scheduled by housing unit. Schedules can change without notice.
Unit A: Tuesday and Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Unit B: Monday and Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
SMU (Segregation): Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled visit so you can clear security. To guarantee a visit, you must arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.
Visit Limits
Visits are limited to one hour per visit unless the Facility Administrator grants prior approval. Each detainee can receive only one visit per day.
Contact Visits
Contact visitation is available, with rules subject to change without notice. Detainees can have a maximum of three visitors at a time and three contact visits per week. There is a one-hour limit per visit. All standard visitation and dress code rules apply during contact visits.
Who Can Visit
All visitors must show a U.S., state, or federal government-issued ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa.
A maximum of three visitors at a time, unless the Facility Administrator approves more in advance. A baby in an adult's arms does not count toward the visitor limit.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian who is 18 or older. Children cannot be left alone in the waiting room, visiting room, or any other area.
Visiting Rules
All friend and family visits at this facility are contact visits, except where security concerns or disciplinary status apply.
No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas. Visitors cannot pass anything to detainees or carry items into the visitation area.
Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. If you appear intoxicated, you will be turned away.
Attorney Visits
In-person attorney visits are available 24 hours a day.
Virtual legal visits can be scheduled in advance through ERO eFile, Monday through Sunday (and holidays), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Appointments are not available from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A list of pro bono legal organizations is posted in every housing unit and updated quarterly. Detainees are responsible for contacting these organizations to schedule appointments.
Virtual Attorney Visits
Attorneys must request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls through ERO eFile. Confirmation comes back through ERO eFile.
VTC sessions run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday and holidays, with no appointments available 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are scheduled in 60-minute blocks; extensions beyond 60 minutes go in 30-minute increments at the facility's discretion. Two back-to-back 60-minute appointments can be booked only if the facility can accommodate it; if not, the second appointment will be canceled and the attorney notified through ERO eFile.
Appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead but no later than 24 hours before the slot, on a first-come basis. There is no cap on how many appointments an attorney can request, but no attorney can have more than one 60-minute appointment with the same detainee in a single day without approval.
The ERO eFile request must include: the attorney's full name and contact info, the detainee's name and A-number (or name, date of birth, and country of birth), and the meeting platform (Microsoft Teams, Webex, Zoom, or Google Meet), meeting link, meeting ID, and passcode in the Virtual Meeting Information section. For phone-only calls, note that and provide the number the facility should call. This is required before you can select a time slot.
Required attachments: a scan of the attorney's government ID, proof of legal status (bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar), and the eFiled G-28 unless this is a pre-representational visit. If a legal assistant is joining alone, attach a letter of authorization on firm letterhead and a scan of the assistant's ID.
For requests under PBNDS 2011 Section 5.7 (V.N.1) and Section 4.3 (V.FF), upload the written request in the Attorney Authorization Letter field and the Professional Licensure or Curriculum Vitae in the Medical/Mental Health Evaluators field.
Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters are allowed on these calls. No family, no friends. The attorney can use outside interpretation services during the session. Calls are confidential; an officer stays within sight but out of earshot and will knock 5 minutes before the cutoff.
The facility can cancel or reschedule appointments to manage safety risks or to make sure other attorneys and detainees get fair access. For exigent circumstances, call 760-561-6208.
Consular Visits
Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Call the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at 760-561-6100 to make arrangements when possible, and bring credentials.
Clergy Visits
Clergy can visit at any time but must arrange the visit ahead of time through the Chaplain's Office at 760-561-6100.
Money sent to a detainee's account at Desert View ICE can be used for commissary purchases, phone calls, and postage. ICE detention facilities use various deposit systems depending on the facility operator and contract.
Contact Desert View ICE at 760-246-1171 to confirm the accepted deposit method for this facility. Visit InmateAid's send money page for deposit instructions specific to Desert View ICE. Use your family member's full legal name and their A-Number or facility ID number exactly as they appear in the facility's records.
Note: commissary availability and what detainees are permitted to purchase varies by facility and current operational policy. Confirm with the facility what funds can be used for.
Desert View ICE accepts incoming mail addressed to your family member at 10450 Rancho Rd . Include their full legal name and A-Number or facility-assigned ID on every piece. Standard rules apply: plain white paper, no staples, no glitter, no stickers, no colored ink. Photos in standard print size with nothing written on the back.
Mail at ICE detention facilities is subject to inspection. Do not include documents that could affect the immigration case in personal mail - legal documents should be sent directly from an attorney.
InmateAid's send mail service prints and mails on approved stock from your phone or computer.
This is the most important section on this page.
Immigration detention is a legal process. A licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case - from filing for bond to preparing a defense to deportation. The sooner legal representation is secured, the better.
Free and low-cost legal help is available:
National Immigrant Justice Center - provides free legal services to immigrants, including those in detention. Operates remotely in many states.
RAICES - provides free and low-cost immigration legal services. Strong presence in Texas and Southeast detention facilities.
ACLU Immigrants Rights Project - litigates on behalf of immigrants and provides know-your-rights resources.
CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network) - accredited immigration legal services through a national network of affiliates.
If you are searching for legal aid in California specifically, the immigration court for Desert View ICE's jurisdiction maintains a list of legal service providers. Call the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 for court information and legal services referrals.
Warning about notarios: In some communities, non-lawyers called notarios or immigration consultants offer immigration help. They are not licensed to give legal advice or represent anyone in immigration court. Using an unauthorized representative can harm a case. Verify that any representative is a licensed attorney or accredited through the Board of Immigration Appeals before engaging them.
The legal aid organizations listed above are provided as a public service.
Immigration cases at Desert View ICE are processed through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the immigration court system operated by the U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration court is a civil court - it is separate from criminal courts.
The general process:
Notice to Appear (NTA): The document that initiates removal proceedings. It lists the grounds for removal and a court date. If a court date has not yet been set, the NTA will note "to be determined."
Master Calendar Hearing: An initial short hearing where the detainee or their attorney states whether they are contesting removal. This is not the merits hearing - it is a scheduling and procedural hearing.
Individual (Merits) Hearing: The substantive hearing where the case is argued. The detainee or their attorney presents their case. The DHS trial attorney presents the government's case.
Decision and Appeals: The immigration judge issues a decision. Either party may appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Further appeals may go to the federal circuit courts.
To find out the specific hearing date and court for your family member's case, call the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180. You will need the A-Number. The system is available 24 hours.
Bond: For some detainees, an immigration judge may set bond allowing release from detention while the case continues. Bond amounts vary significantly. An attorney can advise on bond eligibility and petition for a bond hearing if one has not occurred.
ICE detention conditions, facility locations, visitation rules, and legal resources in California are documented in InmateAid's California immigration resources hub. That page covers California-specific legal aid organizations, current facility information, and immigration court locations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Desert View ICE
How do I find someone detained by ICE?
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov with the person's A-Number or full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth. If the search returns no result, the transfer may not yet be in the system. Call ICE ERO at 888-351-4024 or Desert View ICE directly at 760-246-1171. If you believe someone was recently detained but cannot confirm where, calling a local immigration legal aid organization may also help.
Is ICE detention the same as going to jail?
No. ICE detention is civil administrative detention, not criminal incarceration. People in ICE detention have not been convicted of a crime simply by being detained - they are being held while their immigration cases are processed. The facility may look like a jail, but the legal framework governing the detention is civil immigration law, not criminal law.
Does my family member have the right to a lawyer in immigration court?
They have the right to be represented by an attorney but not the right to a government-appointed attorney at no cost. They must secure legal representation themselves or through nonprofit legal aid. See the legal resources section above for free and low-cost options. Having legal representation significantly affects case outcomes.
How long can someone be held in ICE detention?
There is no fixed limit in most circumstances. ICE detention continues while the immigration case proceeds, which can take weeks, months, or in some cases years depending on the complexity of the case, court backlogs, and appeals. A bond hearing may result in release pending the case - an immigration attorney can advise on bond eligibility.
What is an A-Number and why do I need it?
The A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is the unique nine-digit identifier assigned to each person in the immigration system. It is the most reliable way to search the ICE Detainee Locator and track case status through the EOIR system. It appears on any immigration paperwork your family member has received. If you do not have it, call 760-246-1171 or contact an immigration attorney who may be able to locate it through official channels.
Can I visit my family member at Desert View ICE?
Visitation availability varies by facility and can change. Call 760-246-1171 to confirm current visiting hours, registration requirements, and whether in-person visits are currently permitted. Do not travel without confirming in advance.
What should I do if I cannot afford an immigration attorney?
Contact the legal aid organizations listed on this page - the National Immigrant Justice Center, RAICES, ACLU Immigrants Rights Project, and CLINIC all provide free or low-cost services. The EOIR court for your family member's jurisdiction also maintains a list of legal service providers. Call 800-898-7180 for referrals.
If fewer than 3 IC facilities in state, supplement with facilities from adjacent states
given that ICE transfers across state lines are common and families may need to know
about facilities in neighboring states.
ONE DISCLAIMER - BOTTOM OF PAGE
This page provides factual information for informational purposes only.
It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. For advice specific to
your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.