Public Advocate

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• How Do I Request Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Brochure

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Andrew Lorenzen-Strait
Public Advocate for Enforcement and Removal Operations

Andrew Lorenzen-Strait is the public advocate for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Washington, D.C.

Prior to this position, he served as the senior advisor for ERO's Detention Management Division, where he advised on policy and oversight for the administrative custody of an average of 400,000 detainees each year. He also served as a lead advisor on ICE's efforts to reform the current immigration civil detention system.

Mr. Lorenzen-Strait, who began his career with ICE in 2008, has an extensive background in federal law enforcement and immigration policy. He previously served as the agency's chief public engagement officer in ICE's Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination and as the special assistant for policy and outreach in ICE Office of Policy. Mr. Lorenzen-Strait has worked in a variety of federal law enforcement agencies, including service as a senior analyst for the U.S. Secret Service and as a presidential management fellow.

Mr. Lorenzen-Strait holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California at Irvine, a juris doctorate with an emphasis in child advocacy from Whittier Law School, and a certificate in national security leadership and decision-making from the U.S. National Defense University. In 2007, Mr. Lorenzen-Strait was named the Maryland Attorney of the Year for providing pro bono services to Community Legal Services of Prince George's County.

Mr. Lorenzen-Strait is a member of the Maryland and U.S. Supreme Court bars.

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Today, I am honored to be named U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) first-ever public advocate. As ICE continues to implement detention reforms and other enforcement-related initiatives, my staff and I will serve as a point of contact for individuals, including those in immigration proceedings, nongovernment organizations, and other community and advocacy groups, who have concerns, questions, recommendations or important issues that they would like to raise.

While this new role will be challenging, I believe it will reap significant rewards for ICE as well as for stakeholders. As we work to enact significant policy changes to focus the agency's immigration enforcement resources on sensible priorities, implement policies and processes that prioritize the health and safety of detainees in our custody while increasing federal oversight, and improve the conditions within the detention system, I will strive to expand and enhance our dialogue with the stakeholder community.

I have committed the greater part of my life to public service. Since 2008, I have served with ICE, first as an advisor and analyst on policies related to immigration enforcement, detention and juveniles, and most recently as the senior advisor for Enforcement and Removal Operation's (ERO) detention management division. Prior to that, I served as an attorney and was recognized as the Maryland Attorney of the Year for Pro Bono Service working with Community Legal Services of Prince George's County.

In my new position, I will have four main duties:

• Assist individuals and community stakeholders in addressing complaints and concerns in accordance with agency policies and operations, particularly concerns related to ICE enforcement actions that affect U.S. citizens;
• Inform stakeholders on ERO policies, programs and initiatives, and enhance understanding of ERO's mission and core values;
• Engage stakeholders and build partnerships to facilitate communication, foster collaboration and solicit input on immigration enforcement initiatives and operations; and
• Advise ICE leadership on stakeholder findings, concerns, recommendations and priorities as they relate to improving immigration enforcement efforts and activities.

I am thrilled to assume this new role and proud of this agency for valuing community input and emphasizing transparency and accessibility as ICE continues to pursue common sense enforcement priorities and sound policy reforms. I hope you'll reach out to me with your questions, comments and concerns. I am here to assist you.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) is committed to a transparent process and to resolving your concerns at the earliest opportunity available. For this reason, concerns or questions regarding ICE practices, policies and/or programs should first be directed to the local field liaison.

• If your concern relates to case management, detention or removal, contact the local field office.
• If your concern relates to immigration court proceedings, contact the local Office of Chief Counsel (OCC).

In your correspondence to the field liaison, please always provide the following:

• The topic of your problem/concern (medical, condition of detention, issue regarding parole/release, etc.);
• A brief description of the complaint or concern;
• Your contact information;
• All relevant information about individuals involved, including full names, alien numbers and if relevant, the name of the detention facility in which an alien is detained;
• A brief history of your previous contact with the local ICE office to resolve your concern (whenever possible, please provide a record of the time(s), date(s), and the name(s) of the ICE representative(s) contacted); and
• A clear statement on the action requested.

NOTE: In order for ERO to share any information regarding another individual, you MUST provide a signed privacy waiver or G-28 if you are the alien's legal representative.

• Download Form G-28, Notice of Entry.
• Download ICE Privacy Wavier.
• Learn more about ICE privacy restrictions.

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The public advocate is established to help those who have not been able to resolve a problem through traditional channels. Prior to contacting the public advocate, you must first try and resolve your request or concern at the field level. Please include a detailed description of all your attempts to resolve the concerns.

You may contact the Public Advocate by calling the new ICE Community Hotline at 1-888-351-4024 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, or you may email the public advocate.

Learn more about the ICE Community Hotline.

Note: If you elect to communicate with ICE by email, please be aware that sending sensitive personal information by email is not secure. If you would like to send sensitive personal information to ICE in a secure manner, please send your inquiry to ICE via U.S. Mail instead.

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Toll-Free Hotline for Detained U.S. citizens or Crime Victims

Detained individuals can call the toll-free hotline at 855-448-6903 if they believe they may be a U.S. citizen or victim of a crime.

Detainee Locator

To locate an individual currently held in immigration detention, use the Online Detainee Locator System.

Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review Hotline

For information about your next court date and other case processing status, call the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review Hotline at 1-800-898-7180. Please note, you will need your alien registration number (A#) to access this line.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may be able to provide the answer to many frequently asked questions, such as:

• What type of form do I file? Where do I file a particular form?
• How do I find out about processing times?
• How do I receive an update on my case status?

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

To report complaints alleging discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or disability; violation of rights while in immigration detention or as a subject of immigration enforcement; or any other civil rights, civil liberties, or human rights violation related to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program or activity, contact the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

Office of Inspector General

To report criminal and noncriminal misconduct by DHS employees and contractors, as well as theft or misuse of DHS funds, property or programs, contact the Office of Inspector General.

Joint Intake Center

Complaints involving ICE may be sent to the Joint Intake Center (JIC). Allegations of misconduct received by the JIC are screened by the Office of Inspector General and, when warranted, are returned to the JIC for appropriate action by the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs.

ICE Privacy Office

To report complaints regarding privacy concerns, contact the ICE Privacy Office.

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