Public Advocate

• Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (flyer)
• Deferred Action Process for Young People Who Are Low Enforcement Priorities FAQs
• Deferred Action Process for Young People Who Are Low Enforcement Priorities FAQs (In Chinese) (PDF | 245 KB)
• Director Morton's Memo about Individuals Who Entered the United States as Children (PDF | 200 KB)
• DHS Secretary's Memo on Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children (PDF | 96 KB)
• 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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The Public Advocate Voice Newsletter

The Public Advocate Voice is a bimonthly newsletter distributed to ICE's community stakeholders to inform them of the work of the Office of the Public Advocate and to keep them updated on the agency's latest initiatives and programs related to immigration enforcement.

• The Public Advocate Voice, Issue 3, December 2012 (PDF | 922 KB)
• The Public Advocate Voice, Issue 2, October 2012 (PDF | 478 KB)
• The Public Advocate Voice archives

Community and Detainee Helpline Posters

The ICE Community and Detainee Helpline (CDH) is toll-free and is available at 1-888-351-4024. Trained operators are available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, for individuals in the community and for those currently in ICE detention. The Public Advocate developed Community and Detainee Helpline (CDH) posters in English and Spanish. We encourage our community stakeholders to display these posters in any locations where immigrant populations may frequent, including places of worship, community centers, and local business establishments.

Sexual Abuse and Assault Posters

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is committed to eliminating all sexual abuse and assault of individuals in ICE custody. Sexual assault awareness posters have been developed to raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault, provide direction regarding how to report allegations, and emphasize the agency's zero tolerance policy. The posters are available in both English and Spanish and are posted in all ICE detention facilities in areas that are readily accessible to ICE staff and detainees.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) is committed to a transparent process and to resolving your concerns as promptly as possible. 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 via the Public Advocate Contact Form.
• If your concern relates to immigration court proceedings, contact the local Office of Chief Counsel (OCC).

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 ICE Privacy Wavier.
• Download Form G-28, Notice of Entry.
• 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 to resolve your request or concern at the field level, which may be done using the Public Advocate Contact Form.

You may contact the Public Advocate by calling the ICE Community Helpline at 1-888-351-4024 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or you may use the Public Advocate Contact Form.

Learn more about the ICE Community Helpline.

Note: If you elect to communicate with ICE via the Public Advocate Contact Form, please be aware that sending sensitive personal information in this manner 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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