People Are Finding It’s Very Difficult To Get Information Out Of I.C.E

Video Transcribed: Do you know someone who’s been detained by ICE and is being held in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. What’s next for them? My name’s Ted Hasse. I’m an Immigration Attorney at Wirth Law answering immigration questions We can be reached at (918) 932-2800. We’re happy to answer your questions. We get a lot of calls from people who are being held in the Okmulgee ICE Detention. I’ve talked about this before. I’ll bring it up again.

People are finding it’s very difficult to get information out of that facility by phone. We try to make it as easy as possible to get that information by actually going down there in person and talking to your loved one, friend, whoever is being detained there. What you can expect, it really depends on their specific circumstances. But frequently if they’re being detained and potentially you’re going to face a deportation hearing, they can get bond out.

Bonds are typically a minimum of $1,500. That can get them into a position where they can come out and then return for immigration court. What’s happening for them right now? What does it look like for them? Well, the Okmulgee location is serving a whole wide geographic area, including having folks from brought from Texas in fact, even though Texas has their own detention facilities. We’re seeing people even coming from Dallas, maybe being picked up by ICE following a criminal arrest.

They get held. Then they may bond out on whatever charge they’re facing locally and then they get picked up by ICE. They get brought to Okmulgee, Oklahoma. They may never have been to Oklahoma. In any case, what they’re facing at Okmulgee is they’re in an ordinary county jail. It’s the Okmulgee County Jail. ICE is paying the county for 250 beds for detention. What they’re experiencing is they’re sometimes with other prisoners. They can expect every day to typically they may have visiting hours.

I understand, especially if they’re being brought there from another location, another state, long distance, it’s often difficult for family members, loved ones, friends to go visit them. They’ve got several headcounts throughout the day. It’s not a great situation.It’s typical restrictive criminal lockup. It’s a jail. Again, we would love to help you. If you find that you have someone in this situation that needs some help, give us a call at (918) 932-2800. My name again is Ted Hasse.