About OIDO | Homeland Security
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About the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO)

The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO) was established by Congress in 2019 (Sec. 106 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act) to resolve problems related to and improve conditions for aliens in immigration detention. In 2020, OIDO formed an office, identified challenges to oversight and the provision of redress, and began conceiving case management and detention oversight processes.

In 2021, the Office expanded its presence with staff throughout the country, developed its case management and detention oversight processes, built out operational capabilities, and created a strategic plan to achieve its vision to become an objective, credible resource for those impacted by immigration detention. OIDO envisioned and brought to life a comprehensive approach to handling individual detention complaints and engaging with detained aliens, detention facilities, and the detention system at large. In this way, OIDO provides a unique voice in oversight by garnering a holistic understanding of the detention landscape.

In 2022, the Office continued to develop as an institution with a unique and holistic understanding of the detention landscape. We saw an incredible expansion of OIDO’s case management footprint in the field. OIDO identified operational practices best suited to accomplishing case management, all while accounting for fluctuations in detained alien populations, facility closures and openings, and novel cases. By the end of 2022, our case managers maintained a persistent presence at nearly 100 detention facilities around the United States and reviewed nearly 6,000 concerns from detained aliens. 

As an ombudsman’s office, OIDO is independent of the DHS Components over which it conducts oversight. The Ombudsman is neutral; its mission is to independently examine immigration detention to promote safe, humane conditions. The Office engages with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as with aliens and their representatives to seek solutions that make sense for both parties. While sharing the details of a complaint makes the assessment of it easier, the Office will maintain the confidentiality of an individual who files a complaint if requested to do so.

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Box 2: Vision - OIDO is recognized as an objective, credible resource for those impacted by immigration detention, creating a more effective and human system.
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Box 1: Mission - OIDO independently examines immigration detention to promote and support safe and human conditions.

 

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OIDO Grey and Burgundy Polo Shirts

OIDO Divisions

To maximize efficiency and effectiveness in mission achievement, OIDO is organized into a front office and six divisions: Case Management, Detention Oversight, Policy and Standards, External Relations, Operations and Resource Management, and Program Integration. Each division is tasked with a distinct set of responsibilities to accomplish the Office’s overarching objective to ensure safe and humane conditions in immigration detention facilities.

To keep up with current OIDO job openings, visit USAJOBS.

Last Updated: 02/05/2025
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