Hardin County Jail

Hardin County Jail is an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) detention facility located in Eldora, Iowa. It falls under the St. Paul Field Office ERO field office area of responsibility.

Facility quick reference

How to locate or contact a detainee

ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov finds people in ICE custody. It searches by the person’s A-number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth, or by their full name, country of birth, and date of birth.

To ask whether someone is held here, ICE publishes (319) 221-1550 for detainee information and asks for the detainee’s full name, alien registration number (A-number), date of birth and country of birth. ICE says this line can be called between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. (checked October 16, 2026). To leave an urgent message, ICE says the caller must call and leave the detainee’s full name and alien registration number plus the caller’s own name and a telephone number where they can be reached; the detainee will be given the message. The general facility line (641) 939-8189 is for other questions. Detainees cannot receive incoming calls — they place outgoing calls themselves. ICE asks callers to have the person’s biographical information ready (full legal name and any aliases, date of birth, and country of birth). Contact and visitation hours vary by facility; ICE’s official page linked above and the (319) 221-1550 line carry this facility’s current hours.

Visiting in person

ICE’s page for Hardin County Jail (checked October 16, 2026) lists no visiting days or times for friends and family. It says detainees “not under disciplinary action are allowed to receive visitors during the scheduled times appropriate to their age and/or gender,” and that its policies “are to be strictly enforced with no exceptions.” The published rules:

• Length and frequency: each registered visitor may have 30 minutes. Visits are for one person, each detainee may have up to one visit a day, and visitors may not register more than once each day.
• Non-contact: all family or other social visits are non-contact.
• ID: every visitor must produce picture identification each time they intend to visit.
• Search: anyone requesting admittance to the facility or the visitation area is subject to a pat-down search, an inspection of belongings and a metal scan search; anyone refusing to cooperate with a reasonable search is not admitted.
• No special visits: “There are no special or nonscheduled visits allowed.”
• No smoking: ICE’s page says “The Hardin County Law Enforcement is a smoke-free facility as required by Iowa Law”; food, beverages and smoking are not allowed in visitation, and visitation may be denied due to refusal of any requirement (checked October 19, 2026).
• Children: visitors under 18 may only visit detainees in their immediate family and must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• What not to bring: food, beverages, diaper bags and packages larger than briefcases are prohibited; visitors may not carry any items into the visitation area or pass items to detainees. Cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed in the visitation area, and anyone caught with one is subject to a visitation suspension. No firearms or weapons of any kind.
• Dress code: shorts and skirts must cover the buttocks and crotch area and be no shorter than mid-thigh, standing and sitting; no sheer or see-through clothing, gang-related “colors,” strapless tops that expose the chest or midriff, tube tops or swimsuits; shoes at all times. A visitor who is not properly dressed is not allowed to visit.
• Denial or termination: among the reasons ICE lists, a visit may be denied if the visitor is a security or safety risk, is intoxicated, or has been charged with or convicted of furnishing drugs or contraband to detainees; for disruptive or disorderly behavior or persons with serious mental illness; for communicating with detainees other than those the visitor registered to visit; if the detainee declines; or for inappropriate clothing or indecent exposure, including “flashing” of covered body areas (checked October 19, 2026). Visitation may be terminated at any time for security reasons.
• Consular officials may meet with their detained nationals at any time; ICE requests that, to the extent possible, they arrange it in advance with the ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer at (319) 221-1550 and bring appropriate credentials. Clergy may visit at any time and may call ahead to reserve time with a detainee.
• Parking: ICE says free public parking is available at the facility.

Sending mail, commissary funds, and personal items

Letters and packages sent to a detainee must show the detainee’s full name and A-number, along with the sender’s name and return address — and each facility publishes its own exact format. ICE posts each facility’s mail rules on that facility’s page at ice.gov. Under ICE’s National Detention Standards, Revised 2019, §5.1(E), incoming general mail is opened and inspected for contraband, and outgoing general mail may be inspected and read if it is addressed to another detainee or staff have reason to believe it threatens the facility’s security or order, endangers someone, or could facilitate criminal activity. Only special correspondence — mail to or from attorneys and other legal representatives, courts and judges, government attorneys, embassies and consulates, the President and Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, the Department of Justice (including the immigration courts), DHS (including ICE/ERO, IHSC, CRCL and the DHS Inspector General), grievance administrators, and the news media — may not be read or copied by staff. Incoming special correspondence is inspected for contraband in the detainee’s presence; outgoing special correspondence is not opened, inspected or read, and if a need exists, any inspection takes place in the detainee’s presence. The standard limits any inspection to detecting physical contraband and confirming that enclosures qualify as special correspondence. Mail counts as special correspondence only if the envelope unambiguously identifies the title and office of the sender (incoming mail) or of the addressee (outgoing mail). Under that standard, ordinary letters do not carry the special-correspondence protection. Rules for commissary (account) deposits and permitted personal items vary by facility, and so does the number that handles them — ICE names a separate facility mail clerk on some facility pages. The deposit route, the accepted form of payment, and the number to call for this facility are in the Sending Items to Detainees section of its own ICE page (linked above).

What ICE publishes for this facility’s mail, money, and packages

From ICE’s page for Hardin County Jail (checked October 16, 2026):

• Money at the facility: visitors may deposit money into accounts at the facility through an automated teller service, in cash, credit or debit card. Funds deposited there, for accounts or bond, are subject to a processing fee through that service (ICE does not state the amount).
• Money online: deposits may be made by creating an account on the JailATM website.
• Money by mail: funds may be mailed to a detainee as cash, cashier’s check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted for any account or service.
• Personal items (clothing, supplies, travel necessities) must be mailed by regular mail or courier and may not be dropped off at the facility; they are subject to routine screening. Medications are not accepted from outside sources, in person or by mail. ICE detainee property may not exceed 40 pounds total weight at any time, and ICE says there are no exceptions for mail that does not follow these rules.
• Travel or release items: a detainee may receive items necessary for the sole purpose of travel or release from custody only with approval of the ICE Deportation Officer. ICE gives this address for property:

Hardin County Jail
1116 14th Ave
Eldora, IA 50627

• Luggage for removal: one small piece is allowed; if the person has none, luggage can be sent or delivered after approval from the Supervisory Deportation Officer. No electronic devices (cell phones, electric razors, laptop computers, radios, etc.) are accepted.
• Stamps: ICE’s page says: “Generally, there is no limit to the amount of correspondence detainees may send at their own expense” (checked October 19, 2026). Detainees may buy stamps; indigent detainees (no means of financial support and no funds in their facility account) get a postage allowance at government expense.
• Transfers and departures: only legal mail is forwarded; general correspondence is endorsed “Return to Sender” and returned to the post office.
• Tablet messages: the facility has tablets; ICE says information on sending a non-confidential message is at NCIC.com or 1-800-943-2189.

Legal access, attorneys, and immigration court information

Detainees have the right to speak with an attorney, and attorney–client visits and calls are confidential. For information about a case before the immigration court (EOIR), EOIR’s automated hotline is 1-800-898-7180, which works by A-number. For a matter before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the main line of EOIR (the Justice Department agency the BIA belongs to) is (703) 305-0289. Applications for relief from removal must be filed directly with the immigration court handling the case. For people who cannot afford an attorney, the immigration court can provide a list of pro bono legal service providers; related resources are listed below.

Booking legal visits, video calls, and legal calls

From ICE’s page for Hardin County Jail (checked October 16, 2026):

• In-person attorney visits: legal representatives are authorized to visit their clients Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• G-28s can be submitted through ERO eFile. Facility staff do not have access to it, so ICE says legal representatives should download copies of their submitted G-28 for any in-person or remote legal visit.
• Legal calls and video teleconference (VTC) meetings are scheduled by contacting the main office at (641) 939-8189, for any available time slots. Appointments should be made 24 hours before the desired time and are scheduled during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call length is unrestricted except that it should permit other detainees equal time to call their attorneys, and ICE says legal representatives are not limited in the number of VTC appointments they can request.
• Only legal representatives, legal assistants and interpreters may take part — no family or friends; outside interpretation services may be contacted during the session. Sessions are confidential: a visitation officer stands outside the room, out of earshot but within eyeshot, and knocks 5 minutes before the cut-off time.
• Legal representatives and their staff may not video or audio record any virtual or in-person visit or call; ICE says a violation may result in suspension or permanent revocation of VAV user privileges.
• Case information: requests about people detained here can be sent to StPaul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov; that mailbox does not accept applications for Stay of Removal or Case Appeals.
• Finding the Deportation Officer: ICE lists the Cedar Rapids Office at (319) 221-1550; a G-28 must be on file for any information to be disclosed.
• Pro bono list: posted in all detainee housing units and other appropriate areas and updated quarterly; ICE says contacting a listed organization for an appointment is the detainee’s responsibility.

Sending legal documents to a detained client

ICE says legal representatives can email legal correspondence to jail@hardincountyia.gov, stating in the subject line that it is legal correspondence/mail and attaching the documents to be delivered, with a cover sheet giving the detainee’s full name, A-number, and the notation “Legal Mail.” The documents are inspected for contraband but not read, then delivered. Requests are processed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Separately, when timely communication through the mail is not possible, the facility administrator may, in his discretion, allow a reasonable amount of electronic written communication between the detainee and the designated legal representative.

Feedback, complaints, and oversight

Concerns about conditions at this facility or the conduct of an ICE or contract employee can be reported to the ERO St. Paul Field Office that oversees this facility, or filed as a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). On its own Make a Civil Rights Complaint page DHS publishes one channel — the online portal at engage.dhs.gov/crcl-complaint; CBP additionally publishes, for the same office, the e-mail address CRCL@dhs.gov, fax (202) 401-4708, and the postal address DHS/CRCL, Compliance Branch, 2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Mail Stop #0190, Washington, DC 20528-0190. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) hotline is 1-800-323-8603.

This facility’s own ICE page (checked October 16, 2026) adds these channels:

• Comments on service, or a misconduct complaint to the field office: Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement St. Paul Field Office, 1 Federal Dr. Ste 1601, Ft. Snelling, MN 55111.
• ICE Office of Professional Responsibility (by mail): Director, Office of Professional Responsibility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, P.O. Box 14475, Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20044.
• Joint Intake Center: 1-877-2INTAKE or joint.intake@dhs.gov.
• DHS OIG in writing, as listed on ICE’s page: DHS Office of Inspector General, Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline, 245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600, Washington, DC 20528; fax (202) 254-4292; DHSOIGHOTLINE@DHS.GOV.

A news reporter who wants to interview someone held here must apply in writing to the St. Paul Field Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations. ICE says a detainee has the right not to be interviewed, photographed or recorded, and the reporter must first obtain the detainee’s written permission. Media inquiries about ICE activities go to ICEMedia@ice.dhs.gov. ICE’s page adds: “Ordinarily, live television or radio interviews will not be permitted in the facility” (checked October 19, 2026).

ICE inspection record

• March 2021 remote inspection. ODO’s March 2021 report says Hardin refused to participate in its remote inspection, leaving ODO unable to determine compliance with ICE’s 2019 National Detention Standards.
• July 2020 findings. ODO’s July 2020 report says it assessed 18 standards under NDS 2019, found compliance with seven and identified 39 deficiencies in the remaining 11. ODO also found that the facility had not established a grievance committee.

Newest ODO report. ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight (ODO), part of ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, issued a report on Hardin County Jail, Inspection 2026-006-147, dated July 21, 2026 (ODO report). It organizes its findings by “Federal Performance-Based Detention Standard (May 2025)” major categories and lists the facility under ERO Saint Paul.

November 2020 annual inspection. The Nakamoto Group, Inc. performed an annual inspection of Hardin County Jail for compliance with ICE’s National Detention Standards (NDS 2019) on November 9–11, 2020 (inspection letter; significant incident summary). Due to COVID-19 it was conducted remotely, relying on documentation, photographs and videos the facility provided. What the report says:

• Who runs it (as of 2020): “This is an IGSA.” The facility is operated by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department and houses male and female detainees for Hardin County and adult male and female ICE detainees of all classification designations; ICE detainees are housed separately from local detainees. Medical services were provided by MEND Correctional Care and food service by Summit Food Services, LLC; detainees were not charged co-pay fees for medical, dental or mental-health services.
• Accreditation (as of 2020): PREA – Yes; American Correctional Association, National Commission on Correctional Health Care and The Joint Commission – No.
• Rating: the Lead Compliance Inspector recommended Meets Standards: 0 standards found deficient, 2 not applicable, 31 in compliance. The team still identified 28 deficient components in 11 standards:

• Detainee interviews: six detainees were interviewed; all said they felt safe and reported no substantive complaints, and all complained about the food.
• Earlier rating: the inspection letter says the facility was rated Acceptable in its September 2019 inspection. The 2020 significant incident summary instead lists «Previous Rating: Meets Standards» and notes that the facility did not provide the information for section D (total facility population).

Related procedural resources

• Know Your Rights — what to do if ICE detains you
• EOIR immigration court schedules and procedures
• BIA-recognized legal-aid organizations in Iowa
• Other ICE detention facilities in Iowa
• All facilities under the St. Paul Field Office