Karnes County Family Residential Center

Karnes County Family Residential Center/Karnes County Civil Detention Center is an ICE detention facility that houses those who are in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This facility is located in Karnes City, Texas.

If you need information about a detainee housed at this facility, call (830) 254-2000 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Be sure to have the detainee's information ready. Including: first, last and hyphenated names, known aliases, date of birth, and country of birth.

This facility was the first-ever designed-and-built civil detention center, as part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) overall detention reform program.

The Karnes County Civil Detention Center is a 608-bed civil immigration detention facility designed to house adult male, low-risk, minimum security detainees. The detainees housed at Karnes are carefully screened to make sure they do not pose a threat to themselves or others, and are not a flight risk.

"This civil detention center represents a first in the entire history of immigration detention," said ICE Director John Morton. "Karnes and others like it are one part of an ICE detention reform program that is sensible, sustainable, and attentive to the unique needs of the individuals in our custody."

The civil detention facility model at Karnes allows for more detainee movement without escorts, enhanced recreation opportunities, and contact visitation.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Karnes County Family Residential Center are Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All visitors must arrive before 8 p.m. to allow enough time for processing.

General Rules

Visitors must present a valid verifiable government-issued identification card to enter the Karnes County Family Residential Center.

Visits are based on the maximum occupancy in the visitation area and are generally limited to one hour, depending on the number of visitors.

Minors who are visiting the facility must be accompanied by an adult guardian (18 years or older). Minors must not be left unaccompanied in the waiting room, visiting room or any other area.

Any disruptive behavior will result in the termination of the visit and may cause future visits to be denied. Visitors are not permitted to carry personal items into the visiting area. Lockers are provided to secure these items.

• The number of visitors (adult and children) allowed to visit are limited to the space availability and/or to the discretion of the facility administrator.
• Visitors and any articles in their possession will be searched before and after entering the facility.
• The facility administrator or designee must give permission for items to be brought in and is limited to one complete set of clothing and a bag to carry them in, unless prior written authorization is received.
• Any unruly or socially inappropriate behavior by either party will end the visit and may have an adverse effect on future visitation.
• Visitors who bring children (17 or younger) must closely supervise them so as not to disturb others.
• Visitors are responsible for their own transportation to and from the facility.
• The use of profanity, making loud noises, disturbing other residents or visitors, creating a mess or otherwise being a nuisance in the visitation area is prohibited.
• No items/ property will be exchanged between the visitor and resident during the visit. All transactions will be initiated between the visitor and front lobby counselor only, who in turn will inventory and provide a receipt for the item(s).

The front lobby resident advisor will not accept cash, cashier’s checks from U.S. Banks, and checks from U.S. federal/state entities.

The kiosk will be available in the front lobby during the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and accept cash, debit cards and credit cards.

Visitors are allowed to bring coin money into the visitation area for the vending machines. Dollar bills cannot be brought into the visitation area. No outside food permitted beyond the metal detector.

Other Visits

Attorney Visits
Attorneys and paralegals may visit detainees between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Monday through Sunday.

Consular Visits
Consular officials are allowed to meet with their detained nationals at any time. Prior arrangements should be made with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer whenever possible. All consular officials should bring appropriate credentials. 

The ICE Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer in charge of the facility can be reached at (830) 254-2500.

Clergy Visits
Clergy may visit detainees at any time, but must make prior arrangements with the Chaplain’s Office by calling (830) 254-2000.

Dress Code

All visitors must wear shoes at all times. Gang “colors” and other gang displays are prohibited.

Female Visitors (Age 5 and Older)

• Shorts must cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh comply. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
• Skirts and dresses will extend to mid-thigh, seated.
• Slits in skirts and dresses can rise no higher than mid-thigh, seated.
• Sheer (see-through) clothing is prohibited.
• The top of clothing must be no lower than the underarm in the front and back.
• Bare midriffs and strapless tops, tube tops, and swimsuits are prohibited.

Male Visitors (Age 5 and Older)

• Shorts must cover customarily covered areas of the anatomy, including the buttocks and crotch area, both when standing and sitting. Shorts no higher than mid-thigh comply. Short shorts, jogging shorts, cut-offs, and other obviously inappropriate short garments are prohibited.
• Shirts must be worn at all times. Muscle shirts, bare midriff shirts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.

All mail sent to detainees must include the last four digits of their Alien number, plus the sender’s name and address. For safety reasons, all incoming mail is subject to screening for contraband. Staff does not read the mail upon opening.

A detainee may receive items that are determined to be of necessity for the sole purpose of travel or release from agency custody. Before sending packages to detainees, contact the facility mail clerk:

(830) 254-2000
Karnes County Family Residential Center
409 FM 1144 Karnes City, TX 78118

Detainees who are being removed from the United States are allowed one small piece of luggage. This can be sent after getting approval from the Supervisory Deportation Officer. 

For security reasons, no electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) are accepted.

How to Call an Inmate

Detainees at Karnes County Family Residential Center cannot receive incoming calls. If you need to get in touch with a detainee you must call (830) 254-2000 and leave a message. Include the detainee’s full name, alien registration number, and a telephone number where you can be reached.

How to Send Money

To deposit money into a detainee’s trust account at Karnes County, send money orders or cashier’s checks only to:

Karnes County Residential Center
Detainee’s full name and A-number
409 FM 1144
Karnes City, TX 78118

Note: Cashier’s check or money order must include the detainee’s full name and A-number.

Cash in possession of a detainee, at the time of his arrival to the facility, will be deposited to his trust account. Visitors may also deposit cash only at the facility, Monday through Friday – excluding holidays. 

To Post a Delivery Bond

Delivery bonds are posted when a person has been taken into ICE custody and placed into removal proceedings while in the United States. When posting a delivery bond, you must show proof of identity.

Bonds for aliens detained by ICE may be posted at ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nationwide, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., local time. For a list of ICE ERO bond acceptance offices nearest you or for bond information, click here. You must have the last name of the detainee and their alien registration number before calling. 

Acceptable forms of payment are: money orders, cashier’s checks, or certified checks. Payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” or “Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Programs For Inmates

No programs are listed.

Pictures of Karnes County Family Residential Center

Careers at Karnes County Family Residential Center

If you are interested in a career with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and would like more information about job openings at Karnes County Family Residential Center, click here.