Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility
Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility is an ICE civil immigration detention facility located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, approximately 15 miles southwest of Manhattan. It houses adults detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while removal proceedings, custody reviews, bond hearings, appeals, or other immigration matters are pending. The facility is owned by CoreCivic and operated under contract with ICE. Although CoreCivic manages the facility's daily operations, ICE retains exclusive authority over immigration custody, release, transfer, bond, and removal decisions. For families and attorneys traveling to the facility, the nearest airport is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), located approximately 5 miles (10–15 minutes) away. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) also provide convenient access from the New York metropolitan area.
Because detainees may be transferred between ICE facilities without advance notice and immigration detention cases often involve short filing deadlines, early legal review is important. Depending on the circumstances, representation may include requests for release from ICE custody, immigration bond hearings, federal habeas corpus litigation, attorney visits, and coordination with existing immigration counsel where appropriate.
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The ICE Field Office manages immigration detention and enforcement matters in its jurisdiction. It oversees custody decisions, detention transfers, and certain discretionary releases from ICE custody.
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Immigration Judges oversee removal proceedings, decide immigration cases, and determine eligibility for relief from removal. They also conduct bond hearings for eligible individuals in ICE custody.
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U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Unlike the Immigration Court, the Federal District Court reviews whether the federal government has acted lawfully. It may hear habeas corpus petitions and other federal claims
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Circuit Court reviews appeals from decisions made by the Federal District Court.
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CoreCivic is a private corrections and detention services company that operates the Elizabeth Detention Center under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CoreCivic is responsible for the facility's day-to-day operations, including security, housing, food services, medical care, transportation, visitation, and facility management. ICE retains exclusive authority over immigration custody decisions, bond determinations, release, transfer, and removal of individuals detained at the facility.
CoreCivic is one of the largest private corrections and detention companies in the United States and operates numerous federal, state, local, and immigration detention facilities. The company has been involved in immigration detention for many years through contracts with ICE.
Like other private detention contractors, CoreCivic has periodically been the subject of litigation, government oversight, inspections, and public criticism concerning detention conditions, medical care, staffing, and facility operations. The company has disputed many of these allegations and states that it operates its facilities in accordance with applicable federal standards and ICE contract requirements.
Although CoreCivic manages the daily operation of the Elizabeth Detention Center, it does not decide who is detained, whether a person is eligible for bond or release, where a detainee is transferred, or whether an individual is removed from the United States. Those decisions are made exclusively by ICE and, where applicable, the Immigration Courts.
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A downloadable copy of the Elizabeth Detention Center Visitation Information (January 2025) is available on this page. The handbook includes current attorney and family visitation hours, visitor identification requirements, parking information, security procedures, dress code, permitted items, and other important visitation policies. Because visitation procedures may change, visitors are encouraged to review the handbook before traveling to the facility.
Attorney Visits
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ICE Custody Representation
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Communications with Deportation Officers
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Family Coordination
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Bond Hearings
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Federal Habeas Corpus
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Appeals
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Attorney Visits ✳︎ ICE Custody Representation ✳︎ Communications with Deportation Officers ✳︎ Family Coordination ✳︎ Bond Hearings ✳︎ Federal Habeas Corpus ✳︎ Appeals ✳︎
If retained for an ICE bond request, bond hearing, federal habeas corpus petition, or other representation, the full evaluation fee is credited toward the legal fee.
Immigration Detention Representation
When a family member is detained by ICE, legal decisions often need to be made quickly. I represent detained individuals and work closely with their families throughout the case—from the initial evaluation through bond hearings, detention visits, federal court litigation, and appeals.
✔ New York Attorney
✔ National practice limited to Immigration and Nationality Law
✔ Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Languages: English • Russian • German
Initial Detention Evaluation — from $500 (credited towards representation if retained)
Includes:
Review of the available immigration records.
Review of criminal history (if applicable).
Analysis of the legal basis for ICE detention.
Determination of potential bond eligibility.
Identification of possible mandatory detention issues.
Evaluation of possible release options through ICE.
Preliminary evaluation of potential federal habeas corpus or other federal court claims, where appropriate.
Discussion of the strengths, risks, and available legal options.
Strategy conference with the family.
Guidance on documents and evidence to begin collecting.
Written action plan outlining the recommended next steps.
Attorney Visit — from $750
Administrative Request for Release from ICE Custody — from $750
Bond Hearing — Starting at $2,500 (depending on case complexity)
Federal Habeas Petition — from $3,500
📑 Important Documents to Gather
Before speaking with an attorney, try to collect:
📋 Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if available.
📋 Notice to Appear (NTA) or other immigration documents.
📋 Immigration Court paperwork.
📋 Criminal records (if applicable).
📋 Passport or other identity documents.
📋 Prior immigration decisions or orders.
📋 Medical records or documents supporting humanitarian concerns.
📋 Names and contact information of family members or potential sponsors.
🔗 Helpful Resources
🔍 ICE Online Detainee Locator
Locate a family member in ICE custody by name or Alien Registration Number (A-Number).
⚖️ EOIR Automated Case Information
Check Immigration Court hearing dates, case status, and decisions.
🏛 EOIR Immigration Court Directory
Find Immigration Court addresses, phone numbers, and contact information.
📋 EOIR Forms & Self-Help Resources
Access official immigration forms, instructions, and educational materials.
📖 Learn about the rights of individuals in ICE detention and access the ICE National Detainee Handbook (2026).