If you cannot find someone in ICE detention, you are not alone. Since mid-September 2026, ICE has reportedly stopped showing many detainees with final removal orders in its online locator. This guide explains what changed and what to do next.

Short answer: Search the ICE locator, then call an immigration attorney right away. A missing name does not mean the person has been deported.

What Changed in the ICE Detainee Locator?

According to Associated Press reporting, published by OPB, three current and former ICE officials said ICE removed detainees with final removal orders from its Online Detainee Locator System on September 15, 2026. ICE did not announce the change. When AP asked, ICE did not confirm or deny it.

Immigration attorneys, including our team at Shepelsky Law Group, noticed first. Clients who used to appear in search results suddenly vanished. The American Immigration Lawyers Association warned its members on September 18.

The reporting describes “thousands” of people but gives no exact number. For context, nearly 16,000 people booked into ICE detention in July already had final removal orders, according to data AP cited. ICE says it is prioritizing these cases, and DHS argues these detainees have already had due process. Some facilities, reportedly including Adelanto and temporary holding sites in New York City, still list detainees because of court orders.

Does a Missing Name Mean the Person Was Deported?

No. A missing name does not necessarily mean the person has left the country. ICE often moves detainees between facilities, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles. As a result, families and lawyers can lose track of someone who is still in custody.

How Can You Find Someone in ICE Detention?

Try these steps in order, and move quickly:

Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator using the person’s A-number and country of birth, or their name and country of birth.
Check the person’s immigration court status in the EOIR case status system to see whether a case or order exists.
Call the last facility you know about, and ask whether the person is still there or was transferred.
Gather key details, such as the A-number, date of birth, arrest location, and any paperwork the person carries.
Contact an immigration attorney immediately. A lawyer may be able to locate the person, review the court history, and check for a final order.

What Legal Options May Remain After a Final Removal Order?

A final order does not always end the fight. Depending on the facts, a person may still be able to:

file a motion to reopen the immigration court case;
challenge an order entered after a missed hearing;
request an emergency stay of removal;
file certain federal court challenges, including habeas petitions; or
seek protection if returning home could put them in danger.

Strict deadlines apply, and cases can move fast once ICE takes someone into custody. Our guides to bond hearings and what families should know explain more, along with our work on motions to reopen.

Why Speed Matters When Someone Is Detained

ICE says people with final orders are a priority for removal. Therefore, delay can narrow your options. Moreover, lawyers have warned that hiding locations could speed deportations and make challenges harder, so contact counsel as soon as you notice a problem.

FAQ: Find Someone in ICE Detention

How do I find someone in ICE detention?

Start with the ICE Online Detainee Locator, using an A-number and country of birth. If the person does not appear, check their court status, call the last known facility, and contact an immigration attorney immediately.

Why is my family member missing from the ICE detainee locator?

Reports say ICE removed many detainees with final removal orders from the locator around September 15, 2026. Transfers can also delay updates. Either way, the person may still be in custody.

What information do I need to search for a detainee?

The easiest search uses the person’s A-number and country of birth. Without an A-number, you can try their full name and country of birth, though results may be less reliable.

Will I know if my family member is moved or deported?

Not always. Families sometimes learn of a transfer late. For that reason, prompt legal help matters, since an attorney may have other ways to track a case.

Can someone with a final removal order still fight deportation?

Often, yes, depending on the facts. Options may include a motion to reopen, an emergency stay, or a federal court challenge. Deadlines are strict, so speak with a lawyer right away.

Can a New York immigration law firm help me find someone in ICE detention?

Yes. Shepelsky Law Group is a New York immigration law firm that helps families locate detained relatives and fight deportation. Call 718-769-6352 to discuss your situation.

Talk to an ICE Detention Attorney in New York

If a loved one has been detained and disappeared from the locator, do not wait. Shepelsky Law Group handles ICE detention and custody defense and removal defense for New York families.

Call 718-769-6352 or contact our team now. This article is general information, not legal advice.