Karnes Co IPC is an immigration detention facility in Karnes City, TX, 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 Karnes Co IPC directly at 830-254-2000
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 Karnes Co IPC 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 Karnes Co IPC 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 Karnes Co IPC at 830-254-2000 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 Karnes Co IPC at 830-254-2000 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 - Karnes County Immigration Processing Center
Facility Contacts
ICE Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer: 830-254-2500 Chaplain's Office: 830-254-2000 Bailiff and exigent legal scheduling: 830-254-2500 Virtual attorney visit email: kccdc-bailiff@geogroup.com Legal fax: 830-254-2292
Visiting Hours
Visit days are split by gender. Hours run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on visit days, and start and end times can change based on facility operations.
Female visitation: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday Male visitation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Visits are generally limited to one hour per week, depending on the number of visitors. The Facility Administrator on duty may authorize more time for family traveling significant distances.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before visitation closes.
Who Can Visit
Adult visitors must show valid ID. 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.
The number of visitors allowed (adult and children) is limited to space availability and the Facility Administrator's discretion.
Visitors with a criminal record, prior ICE detention, or current removal proceedings must notify the facility and get approval from the Facility Administrator before entering. This rule applies to every visit.
Dress Code
Female visitors age 5 and older: Shorts must cover the buttocks and crotch when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh. No short shorts, jogging shorts, or cut-offs. Skirts and dresses must extend to mid-thigh while seated; slits cannot rise higher than mid-thigh while seated. No sheer or see-through clothing. Tops cannot be cut lower than the underarm in the front or back. No bare midriffs, strapless tops, tube tops, or swimsuits. Shoes required at all times. No flip-flops or open-toe shoes. No gang colors or gang displays.
Male visitors age 5 and older: Shorts must cover the buttocks and crotch when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh. No short shorts, jogging shorts, or cut-offs. Shirts required at all times. No muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts, or sleeveless shirts. Shoes required at all times. No flip-flops or open-toe shoes. No gang colors or gang displays.
What You Can Bring In
You can bring a clear plastic Ziploc-type bag or a change purse. Each adult visitor is permitted up to $10 in coins and one debit or credit card.
If you have an infant or small child, you can bring no more than three diapers, a supply of baby wipes, and two baby bottles or a sippy cup for toddlers. All items must be in a clear plastic bag.
The facility does not allow personal items in the visiting area. Lockers are provided for storage.
For vending in the visitation area, you may bring coins and/or one credit card. Dollar bills are not allowed in the visitation area. No outside food past the metal detector.
Prohibited Items
The following are not allowed: knives, drugs, medications, food items, purses, wallets, diaper bags, briefcases, cameras, sunglasses, caps, hats, baby strollers, toys, dolls, photographs or photo albums, paper money, tobacco, lighters, matches, cell phones, smartwatches, pagers, laptop computers, digital recorders, or any other electronic or wireless devices.
Visiting Rules
Disruptive behavior by either party ends the visit, and the Facility Administrator can deny future visits. Profanity, loud noises, disturbing others, creating a mess, or being a nuisance in the visitation area is prohibited.
Visitors and detainees cannot exchange items or property during the visit. Any transaction must go through the front lobby officer, who will inventory the items and give a receipt. The front lobby officer does not accept cash, cashier's checks from U.S. banks, or checks from U.S. federal or state entities.
A kiosk in the front lobby is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards.
Children must be supervised at all times. Visitors are responsible for their own transportation to and from the facility.
Every visitor is subject to a pat-down, bag inspection, and metal scan, both before and after entering. Refusing a search means you will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios) in secure areas.
The Facility Administrator must approve any items brought in. Approved items are limited to one complete set of clothing and a bag to carry them in, unless the Facility Administrator has given prior written authorization for something else.
COVID Visitation Status
In green status, there are no visitation restrictions.
In red status: The facility provides a facial covering to any visitor who does not have one. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the visitation areas. Virtual visitation may be offered as an additional option, not as a replacement for in-person visits. If the facility needs to limit in-person visits, it will notify the local ICE field office director with the reason and expected duration. The facility maintains six feet of social distancing between visitors and detainees, unless separated by a glass or plexiglass partition.
Attorney Visits
In-person attorney visits run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 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
For appointments on or after October 1, 2025, attorneys must request video teleconference (VTC) meetings or confidential legal phone calls through ERO eFile. Confirmation comes back through ERO eFile.
VTC sessions run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., in 60-minute blocks. Walk-in visits are still permitted. Appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks ahead but no later than 48 hours before the slot, on a first-come basis.
Attorneys are capped at 2 hours of appointments per day. Scheduling more than 2 hours in a single day may result in cancellation.
For a quick phone call, the facility recommends having the detainee call the attorney instead of scheduling an appointment.
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 Zoom meeting ID and passcode in the Virtual Meeting Information section. 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. If no slots are available or you have an exigent circumstance, email kccdc-bailiff@geogroup.com or call 830-254-2500.
Legal Mail by Fax
Attorneys can fax legal documents to 830-254-2292.
The cover sheet must include the sender's name, law office, address, the detainee's full name and A-number, total page count, and date.
GEO staff places incoming faxes in an envelope marked with the detainee's name and A-number. An ICE designee hand-delivers the documents to the detainee. Facility staff inspects the documents for contraband in the detainee's presence; staff does not read them.
Detainee-Initiated Legal Mail
A fax machine is available in the visitation area for detainees to send legal documents to attorneys. Detainees can request to use it verbally with any staff member or by submitting a written request. Staff sends the fax with the detainee present.
Consular Visits
Consular officials can meet with their nationals at any time. Call the ICE Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer at 830-254-2500 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 830-254-2000.
Money sent to a detainee's account at Karnes Co IPC 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 Karnes Co IPC at 830-254-2000 to confirm the accepted deposit method for this facility. Visit InmateAid's send money page for deposit instructions specific to Karnes Co IPC. 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.
Karnes Co IPC accepts incoming mail addressed to your family member at 409 FM 1144. 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 Texas specifically, the immigration court for Karnes Co IPC'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 Karnes Co IPC 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 Texas are documented in InmateAid's Texas immigration resources hub. That page covers Texas-specific legal aid organizations, current facility information, and immigration court locations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Karnes Co IPC
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 Karnes Co IPC directly at 830-254-2000. 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 830-254-2000 or contact an immigration attorney who may be able to locate it through official channels.
Can I visit my family member at Karnes Co IPC?
Visitation availability varies by facility and can change. Call 830-254-2000 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.