What is an immigration detainer?

An immigration detainer is a request issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to hold an individual in custody to facilitate their transfer to immigration authorities for potential removal from the country. This action is typically taken when local law enforcement detains someone on criminal charges, but ICE believes that the person may be in the United States unlawfully or may pose a risk to public safety or national security.

The purpose of an immigration detainer is to ensure that individuals who may be subject to deportation are not released back into the community without first undergoing the necessary immigration proceedings. This request allows ICE to assert jurisdiction over the individual and initiate the appropriate immigration enforcement actions.

The other options describe concepts that do not align with the function of an immigration detainer. For instance, a temporary visa refers to a legal document allowing entry into the U.S. for a short time, while expediting visa applications and notifying individuals about hearings pertain to processes that do not involve detainment for immigration purposes. Hence, option B accurately captures the essence of what an immigration detainer is and how it operates within the framework of immigration enforcement.