ICE VOICE Hotline: What Crime Victims Need to Know in 2026
If someone who hurt you is now in ICE detention, you may have the right to know exactly where they are — and get an alert the moment that changes. ICE just released its first-ever data reports showing how many people used these victim notification programs in 2025. The numbers reveal a sharp surge in registrations, and many victims still don't know these tools exist.
ICE Releases First Data on Victim Support Programs
On June 9, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released its first annual data reports for two victim-focused programs: the VOICE Office (Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement) and DHS VINE (Victim Information and Notification Exchange). These programs help people who were harmed by someone now in ICE custody — giving them a direct way to get information and support.
The VOICE hotline operated from January 23, 2025, to January 23, 2026. During that time, it received 897 total calls. Of those callers, 588 were victims seeking help and 185 were family members. The most common crimes reported were assault (35%), rape or sexual assault (17%), and homicide or manslaughter (10%). Most callers found out about VOICE online, through victim advocates, or through ICE referrals.
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DHS VINE: Tracking ICE Detention Status
DHS VINE is a separate system that sends automatic alerts when someone in ICE detention has a custody status change — for example, if they are released or transferred. Since the program started in 2017, it has recorded 112,657 total registrations and delivered 45,859 notifications. In 2025 alone, there were 55,195 registrations — the highest yearly total ever — and 20,774 notifications delivered. That same year, 71% of notifications were about transfers into ICE custody. Most users (86%) chose to receive alerts by email or phone.
What to Do
- If you are a crime victim and the person who harmed you is in ICE custody, call the VOICE hotline to ask about their immigration status and get connected to support resources.
- Register with DHS VINE to receive automatic alerts if that person's custody status changes — this can help you plan for your safety.
- Keep records of any case numbers, ICE detention facility names, or reference numbers you receive from VOICE or DHS VINE.
- If you are an immigrant who has been a victim of a crime, lawyers recommend asking about special visa protections — such as a U visa (a visa for crime victims who help law enforcement) — that may apply to your situation.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If you are a crime victim and the person who harmed you is in removal proceedings (the legal process to deport someone), you have specific rights to be informed and, in some cases, to submit a statement to immigration authorities. Registering with DHS VINE costs nothing and takes only minutes — missing a custody release notification could put you at risk. Victims who cooperated with law enforcement may also qualify for a U visa, which can provide temporary legal status and a path to a green card, so consult an immigration attorney to explore all options available to you.