Friends and Family Visits
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The minimum duration of a visit is 60 minutes. If a visitor or detainee leaves the visiting room without permission at any time, the visit will be terminated. Detainee visitation is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as well as the following federal holidays:
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- President’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Detainees will be permitted one visit per week.
Attorney Visits
Legal representatives of detainees are authorized to visit their clients during the following hours:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Contact the facility at (361) 767-3400 if extended hours are needed
A list of pro bono (free) legal organizations will be posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas. This list shall be updated quarterly. If a detainee wishes to see a representative or paralegal from that organization, it is the detainee’s responsibility to contact them for an appointment.
Video Teleconferencing
Legal representatives may request video teleconference (VTC) meetings via Zoom or confidential legal phone calls with their clients or prospective clients by email at cbintake@geogroup.com. A Coastal Bend staff member will email back with a confirmed date and time. Please see the flyer for details.
The email should include:
- Legal representative’s full name
- Legal representative’s contact information, including phone number(s), and email address
- Detained Alien’s name
- Detained Alien’s alien number
- A few proposed times/dates for the requested VTC session
- A scan of the legal representative’s government issued identification
- A scan of the legal representative’s identification or documentation reflecting their status as an active legal representative, such as a state bar card, attorney license, paralegal license, or similar legal status.
- A scan of the attorney’s DHS Form G-28 (unless this is a pre-representational)
- If a legal assistant is the only legal representative to join the call, the email should also attach a letter of authorization on the firm’s/organization’s letterhead and a scan of the assistant’s identification.
Legal representatives may also schedule VTC meetings or calls by dialing (361) 767-3400.
All appointments for VTC meetings or phone calls should be made 24 hours prior to the desired appointment time. Appointments are scheduled 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and are in 30 to 60-minute increments. Legal representatives are not limited on the number of VTC appointments they can request, but no legal representative is permitted more than one 60-minute appointment with a detainee in a single day.
The same guidelines for in-person attorney/client visits will apply to VTC meetings and legal calls. Only legal representatives, legal assistants, and interpreters will be allowed; no family or friends of the clients are permitted. The attorney and/or his/her agents may contact outside interpretation services during the call or session. The sessions will be confidential; a visitation officer will be stationed outside of the confidential room to ensure security by standing out of earshot but within eyeshot. The officer will knock 5 minutes before the cut off time.
Faxing Legal Documents
When timely communication through the mail is not possible, the facility administrator may, in his discretion, allow for a reasonable amount of communication between the legal representative and their detained alien client.
- The following fax number may be used to receive and transmit legal paperwork: (361) 767-1567.
- Legal representatives transmitting documents must include a cover sheet containing the detainee's name, A#, and total number of pages being sent.
- Incoming faxes will be placed in an envelope with the detainee's name and A# written on the outside. An ICE designee at the facility will hand deliver the faxed documents to the detainee. Consistent with PBNDS 2011 Section 5.1 and 5.7, facility staff will inspect the incoming documents for contraband in the presence of the detainee; the documents will not be read.
Consular Visits
Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time. It is requested that prior arrangements be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer to the extent possible, and that consular officials bring appropriate credentials when they come to the facility. The ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer for this facility can be reached at (361) 767-3400 ext. 278 or (361) 879-4300.
Clergy Visits
Clergy may visit detainees at any time but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office.
Visiting Restrictions
- All family or other social visits are non-contact.
- No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted in the facility.
- If visitors are or appear to be intoxicated, visitation will not be allowed.
- All visitors are subject to search while in the facility.
- Visitors are not allowed to pass or attempt to pass any items to detainees.
- Visitors are not allowed to carry any items into the visitation area.
- Handbags, cellphones, tablets, Apple watches Computers, tobacco products are prohibited.
- Visitors should be dressed appropriately – males and females must be in a pants and a shirt.
- Only closed toe shoes shall be worn. Toes must be covered at all times.
- All visitors must present valid identification Passport, Drivers License or state ID card.
- All Identification must be current and not expired.
- Ill fitting (tight) or torn clothing is not permitted (dresses, spandex, capris, tank tops)
- No outside food or drinks
- Foul language or inappropriate conduct can lead to termination of visit.
Search Procedures (prior to or during all visitations)
All individuals requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area are subject to a pat-down search of their person, an inspection of their belongings, and a metal scan search. Individuals refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search will not be admitted. No firearms or weapons of any kind are permitted. No electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, radios, etc.) are permitted in the secure areas of this facility.