What is an Immigration Hold (I-247)?

An Immigration Hold, commonly referred to as an I-247, serves as a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to local law enforcement agencies to detain an individual for a specific period—typically up to 48 hours—beyond the individual’s scheduled release from local custody. This hold allows ICE the time necessary to take custody of the individual for potential immigration enforcement actions, which may include removal proceedings. The purpose of this request is to ensure that individuals who may be subject to deportation can be identified and processed accordingly once they are no longer in the local criminal justice system.

In contrast, other options do not accurately reflect the nature of an I-247. Financial support requests, forms for asylum applications, and notices regarding deportation status do not pertain to the function of an Immigration Hold, which is specifically about the detainment process related to immigration enforcement. The focus of an I-247 is purely on the procedural aspect of maintaining custody for individuals suspected of being within the jurisdiction of ICE.