Why Your Loved One Can't Call You Back from Otay Mesa (and How to Message Them)

Detainees at Otay Mesa Detention Facility cannot receive incoming telephone calls. You can't call the facility and get connected to your loved one, and there's no way to leave a number for them to "call you back." Communication has to happen through the options the facility provides - like leaving an urgent message through staff or using tablet messaging.

1. Call the facility line - Dial (619) 671-8700 during Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Have identifying details ready - Be prepared with your loved one’s biographical information (for example: first/last and any hyphenated names, aliases, date of birth, and country of birth).
3. Ask to leave an urgent message - Tell staff you need to leave an urgent message for a detainee.
4. Provide the required info for the message - Give the detainee’s full name and alien registration number (A-number), plus your name and a telephone number where you can be reached.
5. Keep the message clear and reachable - The facility will pass the message to the detainee, so make sure your callback number is correct and you can answer it.

In some situations, detainees must be allowed to place direct or free calls - for example, certain legal matters or emergencies. If your situation is time-sensitive or involves a court issue, check the exceptions section below. That way, you'll know what kind of call to ask for.

Otay Mesa provides tablets for detainee communication. The facility directs families to GettingOut.com for sending non-confidential messages. That "non-confidential" part matters - these messages aren't private like a legal call would be. Keep sensitive details out of tablet messages.

Exceptions

• ✓ The local immigration court and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• ✓ Federal and state courts (if the detainee is or may become involved in a legal proceeding)
• ✓ Consular officials
• ✓ Legal service providers (to seek representation or consult about an expedited removal case)
• ✓ Government offices (to obtain documents relevant to an immigration case)
• ✓ Personal or family emergencies, or other compelling needs (interpreted liberally)

When your loved one requests one of these direct or free calls, the facility should provide access as soon as possible based on urgency. Generally, that means within eight waking hours (lights-out doesn't count), and no more than 24 hours total. Delays beyond eight waking hours are supposed to be documented and reported.

1. Call Otay Mesa for current guidance - Use (619) 671-8700.
2. Call during the posted hours - Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Have your loved one’s identifying info ready - Bring biographical details (including names/aliases, date of birth, and country of birth) so staff can locate the right person.
4. Confirm what’s working right now - Ask about the current process for urgent messages and any current restrictions or changes that could affect communication.

Policies can shift, especially as facilities adjust to operational concerns. Before putting money into tablet messaging - or coordinating a time-sensitive legal or emergency call - confirm current rules and any temporary restrictions directly with the facility.

What We Dont Know

• ✓ The cost of sending tablet messages
• ✓ The exact account setup steps required on GettingOut.com
• ✓ How long messages typically take to be delivered (or whether delivery is guaranteed)
• ✓ Other day-to-day operational details for tablet messaging that aren’t spelled out in the facility notice