Rio Grande Processing is for US Immigration & Customs Enforcement-ICE offenders have not been sentenced yet and are detained here until their case is heard.
All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for Medium facility.
The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.
If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders
Rio Grande Processing is an immigration detention facility in Laredo, TX. Detainees are held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while their immigration cases are processed, including hearings, deportation proceedings, or asylum claims. To locate a detainee, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov with the detainee's A-Number or full name and country of birth.
To find an ICE inmate, please use the Detainee Locator System with the A-Number search being the most efficient method. The A-number must be exactly nine digits; if shorter, zeros should be added at the beginning. When searching by name, the first and last names must be entered as an exact match, and the detainee's correct country of birth must be selected. Please note that records of individuals under 18 cannot be searched.
Detainees at this facility are assigned to housing based on their custody level, determined by various factors including sentence length and criminal history. The detention center provides a wide range of educational and vocational training programs. Additionally, the facility is equipped to meet most detainee needs, including dietary, health, fitness, education, religious practices, and entertainment. As a privately operated facility, it undergoes frequent inspections to ensure it remains in top condition, maintaining a clean record to secure ongoing government contracts.
The Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas, is a major federal detention facility that houses ICE detainees under contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Operated by The GEO Group, the facility plays a significant role in immigration detention operations along the southern border region, particularly within South Texas. Located only a short distance from the Rio Grande and the U.S.-Mexico border, the detention center routinely processes and houses adult detainees awaiting immigration hearings, deportation proceedings, asylum determinations, or federal transfer to other ICE locations. Its strategic location in Webb County places it directly within one of the busiest immigration enforcement corridors in the United States.
The detention facility has a reported operational capacity of approximately 1,900 detainees, making it one of the larger ICE detention centers currently operating in Texas. Originally opened in 2008 as the Rio Grande Detention Center, the complex was developed specifically for federal detention use and later became more heavily integrated into ICE detention operations. The massive campus includes secure housing units, intake and classification areas, visitation sections, legal consultation rooms, medical clinics, recreation areas, commissary services, and transportation infrastructure capable of handling large detainee populations. Its scale and infrastructure distinguish it from smaller county jail contracts that temporarily hold ICE detainees for shorter periods.
ICE Detainee Information
This facility holds immigration detainees under an active contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in addition to its regular population. ICE detainees are civil immigration detainees, not criminal defendants, and are held while their immigration cases are processed. The rules, rights, and services that apply to ICE detainees differ from those that apply to the general jail population.
To locate an ICE detainee at this facility, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov. You will need the detainee's A-Number, a nine-digit Alien Registration Number that appears on any immigration document they have received. If the A-Number has fewer than nine digits, add zeros at the beginning. If you do not have the A-Number, you can search using the detainee's full legal name, country of birth, and date of birth. Names must be an exact match; try variations if the first search returns no results.
Immigration bond works differently from criminal bail. Not all detainees are eligible for bond; those with certain criminal convictions or prior deportation orders may be subject to mandatory detention. For those who are eligible, bond is set by an immigration judge and typically ranges from $1,500 to over $10,000. Bond must be paid in full before release. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing and argue for a lower amount based on the detainee's circumstances.
Unlike criminal defendants, ICE detainees do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney. They must hire a private immigration attorney or find free legal help through a nonprofit organization. RAICES provides legal services and bond assistance at raicestexas.org. The National Immigrant Justice Center offers free legal representation at immigrantjustice.org. Many immigration courts also maintain a list of free and low-cost legal service providers available to detainees upon request.
ICE transfers detainees between facilities frequently and with little advance notice, sometimes to locations far from family and legal counsel. If you cannot locate your family member through this page, search the ICE Online Detainee Locator again at locator.ice.gov with their A-Number. If they have an attorney, notify the attorney immediately as transfers affect court appearances and case timelines.
Law enforcement oversight for the surrounding county jurisdiction falls under the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, currently led by Sheriff Martin Cuellar. While the Rio Grande Processing Center itself is privately operated under federal contract authority, local law enforcement agencies remain connected to emergency coordination, transportation logistics, and broader regional public safety efforts surrounding the facility. Laredo’s location directly along the border has made Webb County one of the most operationally active immigration enforcement regions in Texas, with federal agencies maintaining a strong and continuous presence throughout the area.
The Rio Grande Processing Center has received national attention over the years due to its size, operational importance, and periodic controversies involving detainee conditions and public health concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reports emerged involving outbreaks within the facility, prompting concern from detainees, family members, immigration attorneys, and advocacy organizations. News coverage and oversight reports have periodically examined issues tied to healthcare access, detainee transfers, overcrowding concerns, and prolonged detention periods. The facility’s prominent role in federal immigration enforcement has made it a recurring focus in broader national debates surrounding immigration detention policy and private prison contracting.
Despite ongoing controversy surrounding immigration detention nationwide, the Rio Grande Processing Center remains one of ICE’s primary detention hubs in South Texas. The facility continues to house detainees transferred from across the border region and throughout the federal immigration system, serving as a critical processing and detention point within ICE operations. Its proximity to international crossings, federal courts, and transportation networks ensures that it will likely remain heavily utilized as immigration enforcement priorities evolve. The combination of its large capacity, border location, and federally contracted detention design makes the Rio Grande Processing Center one of the most significant ICE detention facilities currently operating in the United States.
The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only; inmates cannot receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account with a third-party phone company may incur high per-minute usage fees. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.
Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.
Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.
