Folkston ICE Processing Center (Main) is an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) detention facility at 3026 Hwy 252 East, Folkston, Georgia 31537, operated by The GEO Group under the Atlanta Field Office. It is the original building (detainees since 2017) of what became, after a June 2025 contract consolidation, the largest immigration detention complex in the country — nearly 3,000 beds across three buildings on the same highway: Main, the Annex (3424 Hwy 252E), and D. Ray (3262 Hwy 252E).
Families regularly confuse the three buildings. Main and the Annex share a phone and P.O. Box; D. Ray has its own. Confirm which building holds your family member first.
Facility quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Facility name | Folkston ICE Processing Center (Main) |
| Address | 3026 Hwy 252 East, Folkston, GA 31537 |
| Facility phone | (912) 496-6905 (detainee info 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) |
| Mail / money orders | P.O. Box 248, Folkston, GA 31537 |
| Operator | The GEO Group |
| ERO field office | Atlanta Field Office — (404) 893-1210 |
| Case information email | Folkston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov |
| ICE detainee locator | locator.ice.gov |
| Official ICE page | ice.gov/detain/detention-facilities/folkston-ice-processing-center-main |
| Last verified | 2026-06-11 |
ADP = average daily population; ALOS = average length of stay, both FY2026 averages (not a same-day count). Source: ICE Detention Management, FY2026 (released 2026-07-20).
How to locate or contact a detainee
Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator at locator.ice.gov with the person’s A-number and country of birth, or their full name, country of birth, and date of birth. The locator may show “Folkston” without distinguishing the three buildings — call (912) 496-6905 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) to confirm the building before visiting. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls; leave the detainee’s full name, A-number, and your callback number and the facility relays the message. For case status, email Folkston.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov with the A-number.
Visitation
- Family: Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays, scheduled by classification level — medium-high/high: Saturday 11:15 a.m.–2:15 p.m., Sunday 8–11 a.m.; low/medium-low: the reverse blocks. Government-issued photo ID required; visitors may be searched.
- Attorneys: scheduled in-person visits daily 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (booked via ERO eFile); walk-ins 6–7 a.m. and 3–11 p.m. as space permits.
Mail, money, and packages
Letters must show the detainee’s full name and A-number plus a return address; all mail is inspected. Send money orders or cashier’s checks only to Folkston ICE Processing Center, P.O. Box 248, Folkston, GA 31537. For packages, call (912) 496-6905 ext. 76741 before sending anything.
Legal and court information
For the immigration court (EOIR): automated hotline 1-800-898-7180 (A-number ready). BIA: (703) 305-0289. If you cannot afford an attorney, ask the immigration court for the pro bono legal service provider list.
Complaints and oversight
Concerns about conditions or conduct: ERO Atlanta Field Office, (404) 893-1210, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (civil.rights@hq.dhs.gov), or the DHS OIG hotline 1-800-323-8603 — regardless of immigration status. A July 2025 ICE inspection found violations at this complex; oversight complaints are taken seriously.