Skip to main content

Detention Policies

To effectively manage its detention operations and ensure the health, safety and well-being of those in ICE custody, the agency requires compliance with the following directives and policies.

Policy Description Issued
ICE Directive 11064.3: Parental Interest of Noncitizens Parents and Legal Guardians of Minor Children or Incapacitated Adults The directive, “Parental Interest of Noncitizens Parents and Legal Guardians of Minor Children or Incapacitated Adults,” ensures that when a parent or legal guardian is arrested or detained for a civil immigration proceeding that the noncitizen can maintain visitation with their child or incapacitated adult for whom they serve as guardian, coordinate their care, and participate in any related court or child welfare proceedings.

Additional information can be found at: ICE Detained Parents Directive.

Jul. 14, 2022
ICE Directive 11063.2, Identification, Communication, Recordkeeping, and Safe Release Planning for Detained Individuals with Serious Mental Disorders or Conditions The directive, “Identification, Communication, Recordkeeping, and Safe Release Planning for Detained Individuals with Serious Mental Disorders or Conditions,” focuses on the identification, treatment, and monitoring of this particularly vulnerable population.
Apr. 5, 2022
ICE Directive 11003.5: Notification, Review, and Reporting Requirements for Detainee Deaths The directive, “Notification, Review, and Reporting Requirements for Detainee Deaths,” was revised and reissued. The revised directive supersedes the Dec. 2, 2020, issued directive, “Notification, Review, and Reporting Requirements for Detainee Deaths.”

Additional information can be found at: Notification, Review, and Reporting Requirements for Detainee Deaths Directive.

October 2021
ICE Directive 11062.2: Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention Issued a revised Directive on Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention and Intervention, initially released in May 2012. The original Directive delineated duties of agency employees for timely reporting, coordinated response and investigation, and effective monitoring of all incidents of sexual abuse or assault of individuals in ICE custody. The revised Directive incorporates additional requirements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation titled, "Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Assault in Confinement Facilities," 79 Fed. Reg. 13100 (Mar. 7, 2014). Among other things, the revisions to the Directive outline procedures by which ICE will make victim services available to victims of sexual assault, and establish requirements relating to accommodation of detainees with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
May 2014
ICE Directive 11065.1: Review of the Use of Segregation for ICE Detainees Issued a directive on "Review of the Use of Segregation for ICE Detainees," establishing requirements for ICE review and oversight of facility decisions to place detainees in segregated housing for over 14 days, or placements in segregation for any length of time in the case of detainees for whom heightened concerns exist based on the detainee's health or other special vulnerabilities. The Directive enhances reporting requirements for facilities concerning such cases, and requires ICE Field Offices and Headquarters to evaluate on an ongoing basis the appropriateness of continued placement in segregation, and to consider the availability of any potential housing or custodial alternatives. September 2013
Updated: