If you or someone you know has or had a problem while in immigration detention, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) can help. OIDO is independent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and anyone can submit a complaint through the OIDO Case Intake Form to be reviewed and handled by an OIDO Case Manager. Directions for completing the form can be found below.
OIDO cannot assist with matters related to a detainee’s case status or release.
The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) reviews cases submitted by, or on behalf of, individuals affected by misconduct, excessive force, or violations of law, rights, policy, or standards in immigration detention settings by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is an independent office within DHS and is not part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Please note that OIDO cannot provide legal advice.
To receive assistance regarding a concern related to conditions of immigration detention or an incident that occurred while in immigration detention, please submit this form. OIDO will examine your submission and, upon verification, seek to resolve the matter and provide assistance or redress as appropriate.
The incident for which this form is being submitted must be related to an allegation of:- Misconduct,
- Excessive force,
- Violation of an individual detainee’s rights, and/or
- Violations of law, standards of professional conduct, contract terms, or policy related to conditions of immigration detention.
And
The alleged misconduct or violation(s) must have been committed by:
- DHS (CBP or ICE) officers or employees, including contracted, subcontracted, or cooperating personnel or a contract service provider.
If your situation does not meet these criteria, or to view a list of other DHS avenues for providing feedback or filing a complaint visit https://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/provide-feedback-dhs.
- A current or former detainee who is seeking assistance regarding a concern related to conditions of immigration detention or an incident that occurred, or is occurring, while in DHS custody.
- An individual submitting this form on behalf of a current or former detainee, as his or her representative, who has a concern related to conditions of immigration detention or to whom an incident occurred, or is occurring, while in DHS custody. This includes, but is not limited to, an acquaintance, family member or attorney/accredited representative.
- An individual submitting the form anonymously.
DHS employees who wish to file complaints related to allegations of misconduct should do so with the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and/or the DHS Office of Special Counsel. If a DHS employee submits an allegation to OIDO, the matter will be referred to OIG. DHS employees are reminded that it is unlawful for agencies to take, or threaten to take, a personnel action against an employee because she/he disclosed wrongdoing. DHS employees may contact the DHS Whistleblower Protection Coordinator at Whistleblowerprotectioncoordinator@oig.dhs.gov for questions regarding protected disclosures or information regarding rights and remedies of whistleblowers.
- There is no fee for submitting a request to OIDO.
- Fields with a red asterisk [*] indicate that they are required information.
- For questions that do not apply, please leave blank.
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If you would like to submit supporting documentation (e.g., privacy release, copies of documents relevant to the allegation) you must wait until after you receive a confirmation email from OIDO. You can respond to the confirmation email with your submission number along with your documentation. Alternatively, documents can be mailed to:
- Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO)
- Mail Stop 0134
- Department of Homeland Security
- Washington DC 20528-0134
- ATTN: OIDO Case Intake Form (DHS Form 405)
- A properly completed form ensures that OIDO receives the necessary information to assist with your concern.
- You will need to have the following information available in order to complete this form, if applicable:
- (1) The A-Number and biographical information of the detainee this is being filed by/on behalf of;
- (2) All information related to the incident that is being reported including the date, location, and description
- (3) If you are filing on behalf of a detainee, a notice of written consent allowing release of information to you; and
- (4) Other information or documentation that is important to the case.
- While there is no time limit to complete this form, this form cannot be saved. Your session will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity.