With heightened immigration enforcement across the country and in our state, it is important for North Carolinians to stay up to date on the situation.
Detention at Immigration Appointments
Recently, Siembra NC and other community organizations have documented an increase in detentions during routine immigration appointments. This means some people are being detained when they appear for scheduled immigration check-ins or hearings.
It remains very important for individuals to attend their immigration appointments. At the same time, families and community members are experiencing heightened fear and uncertainty surrounding these appointments and should prepare accordingly by communicating with their attorneys in advance and making emergency plans (emergency contact cards).
287(g) Agreements Between ICE and North Carolina Law Enforcement
The 287(g) program allows local municipalities, counties, and state law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with ICE. Depending on the type of agreement — Jail Enforcement Model, Warrant Service Officer Model, or Task Force Model — North Carolina law enforcement may be granted certain immigration enforcement powers.
ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) regularly updates a state map tracking 287(g) agreements by county to help North Carolinians understand how law enforcement throughout the state is cooperating with ICE. Community members should stay informed about whether their county participates in the program, as this may increase risk of detention.
In June 2025, Governor Josh Stein vetoed Senate Bill 153, which would have required several state law enforcement agencies to enter into 287(g) agreements. State lawmakers may attempt to force this bill into law over the Governor’s veto. If this happens, ACLU-NC and its partners will provide additional information and resources.
ACLU-NC also created an advocacy toolkit for community members opposing 287(g) agreements. The toolkit includes background information, model policies, advocacy strategies, and messaging guidance.
Where Are People Being Detained?
As of May 20, 2026, North Carolina does not have a long-term ICE detention facility. People detained in North Carolina are most often transferred to ICE detention centers in Georgia, including:
- Stewart Detention Center | 146 CCA Road, Lumpkin, GA, 31815
- Folkston ICE Processing Center | 3026 Hwy 252 E, Folkston, GA, 31537
ICE also operates three field offices in Charlotte, Cary, and Hendersonville that are considered “hold rooms,” where individuals detained by ICE may be temporarily held.
- Charlotte Field Office | 6130 Tyvola Centre Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28217
- Cary Field Office | 140 Centrewest Ct, Cary, NC, 27513
- Hendersonville Field Office
In June 2025, the Trump administration increased the maximum amount of time individuals could be held in these facilities from 12 hours to 72 hours.
In January 2026, ACLU-NC received records indicating ICE was considering expanding detention centers in North Carolina, including possible sites at:
- Rivers Correctional Institution | 145 Parker's Fishery Rd, Winton, NC, 27986
- Former American Hebrew Academy | 4334 Hobbs Rd, Greensboro, NC, 27410
Subsequent reports also suggested that ICE was considering purchasing a warehouse property in Concord for immigration detention.
As of May 20, 2026, there have been no public announcements confirming that any of these facilities will open. However, past patterns suggest ICE does not always notify local or state governments in advance of detention expansion plans.
The Greensboro City Council passed new zoning requirements intended to reduce the likelihood that the former American Hebrew Academy could be converted into an ICE detention center. The owner of the Concord warehouse has said through their leasing agent that they do not plan to sell the warehouse to the federal government.
The status of Rivers Correctional Institution remains unclear. Community members have raised concerns following a job posting for the facility, which some interpreted as a sign the site may reopen. According to records obtained by ACLU-NC, the owner of Rivers stated the facility could become operational within 90 days of receiving an ICE contract (p. 11).
What To Do If Someone You Know Is Detained by ICE
1. Search Using ICE’s Detainee Locator
To search, you will need:
- The detained person’s A-Number (“Alien Number”)
- First and last name
- Country of origin
- Date of birth
Important: If the person has two last names, try searching using different combinations or only one surname.
2. Contact Nearby Detention Centers
If the person does not appear in the system, contact nearby detention centers directly (see above). Information may take several hours or days to appear online.
Important: Use caution when calling and avoid sharing unnecessary personal information about immigration status.
For more information, view Carolina Migrant Network’s Know Your Rights resources.
ICE Watch Trainings and Community Hotlines
Community organizations, such as Carolina Migrant Network and Siembra NC, regularly host ICE Watch trainings to help community members verify and document ICE or Border Patrol activity across the state. ACLU-NC offers Know Your Rights guidance, as well as guidance on documenting ICE and Border Patrol activity that may be violating the law.
There are several community hotlines available for community members to report and confirm ICE or Border Patrol sightings:
- Siembra NC | 336-543-0353 | Alamance, Cabarrus, Durham, Guilford, Randolph, and Johnston counties
- RadarSafe | 800-559-8714 | Raleigh, Cary, and Wake counties
- Carolina Migrant Network | 704-740-7737 | Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, and southern Iredell counties
- CIMA (Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción) | 888-839-2839 | Asheville and Hendersonville counties
- Watauga County Immigrant Justice Coalition | 828-537-2688 | Avery and Watauga counties
Share this information with your community, make a plan, and reach out to trusted organizations if you need support. If you believe your rights have been violated by ICE or Border Patrol, please report it here.
