Understanding Border Patrol Custody: What You Need to Know

 What Is Border Patrol Custody?

Border patrol custody happens when a person is detained by CBP officers after crossing or attempting to cross the U.S. border. This can occur in several circumstances:

• At official ports of entry, such as checkpoints and border crossings

• In remote areas after aerial or ground surveillance

• Near border-adjacent cities and towns

CBP uses custody to determine:

• Whether a person has a legal basis to enter the United States

• Whether the individual poses a security or health risk

 Why Families Struggle to Find Loved Ones

A number of systemic challenges make locating someone in border patrol custody difficult:

1. Multiple Custody Facilities
   Individuals may be moved between holding sites, CBP processing centers, or ICE detention facilities—sometimes within the same day.

2. Delayed Notifications
   CBP is not required to notify families immediately. You may hear nothing for 48 hours or more.

3. Language Barriers & Complexity
   Many detainees don’t speak English. Even if they request help, they can’t always communicate or understand their rights.

 How TEZ Law Firm Can Help

 Step 1 – Rapid Intake & Verification

• Call our office at (###) 555‑2025 or use our secure intake form on the CBP custody page

• We collect basic information: full name, date of birth, last known crossing location

• Contact CBP’s Office of Field Operations or Office of Border Patrol within hours

 Step 2 – Tracking Movements & Transfers

• We monitor the individual’s location daily

• If the detainee is transferred—say, from a holding center near El Paso to an ICE facility in Pearsall—our team calls both CBP and ICE to track the move

• We also track the person’s release or removal hearing date

 Step 3 – Representation & Legal Support

• We appear for release interviews, removal proceedings, or bond hearings

• We prepare hardship letters and supporting documentation

• We may challenge unlawful custody or denial of legal rights

 Real-World Case Study

Client: Maria, her two young children
Scenario: Detained at a checkpoint near Laredo, TX, in March 2025
Challenges:

• No phone access for 48 hours

• Transferred twice within a week

• No notification to family or legal counsel

TEZ Law Firm Response:

• Filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request

• Advocated with CBP to reopen the phone line

• Secured video visitation and humanitarian parole for Maria and her children

Outcome: Maria was released to a sponsor in San Antonio within 12 days, reunited with her children, and grounded for their asylum waiver hearing.

 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How long can someone stay in border patrol custody?

Typically up to 72 hours, but transfers to ICE may extend detention. Courtesy holds can last several weeks if paperwork isn’t completed quickly.

 ❓ Can CBP deny access to an attorney?

Yes. CBP can delay access to a lawyer during initial processing—though legal representation is allowed during bond hearings and removal proceedings. TEZ Law Firm pushes for timely lawyer access.

 ❓ When should I contact TEZ Law Firm?

Immediately. The sooner we act, the quicker we can track, advocate, and free an individual from border patrol custody.

 How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

 Final Thoughts

Detention in border patrol custody is stressful for the individual and their loved ones. With shifting jurisdictions and procedural complexities, families often feel helpless. That’s where TEZ Law Firm comes in—ready to guide you every step of the way.

If you're searching for someone in CBP custody—or worried about upcoming proceedings—don’t wait. Time is essential.

📞 Contact TEZ Law Firm now: (###) 555‑2025 or visit https://tezlawfirm.com/finding-someone-in-cbp-custody/ for help today.