Family Ties
Marriage and birth certificates, proof of U.S. citizen or resident family, caregiving responsibilities.
Immigration Detention Attorneys · Nationwide · 24/7
Detained by ICE?Immigration Bond Lawyers Who Bring Them Home.
ICE detention lawyers who move within days. We locate your loved one, contact the deportation officer, request an emergency bond hearing, and fight for release before the immigration judge, in all 50 states and 5 languages.
Free, confidential bond consultation. Every day in detention matters.
No obligation · Available 24/7 · Se habla español · Falamos português · نتكلم العربية
- 4.9★ Google rating
- 10,000+ families helped
- All 50 states
- 5 languages
Licensed & admitted to practice
Watch first · 90 seconds
What Families Should Know After an ICE Detention
- How immigration bonds work and who decides
- Why eligibility must be reviewed case by case
- What your family can do in the next 24 hours
Start here
Which describes your situation right now?
Pick the closest match. You do not need all the answers, and you do not need to understand immigration law. You only need to start the conversation.
01
ICE just arrested my family member
The first 72 hours decide a lot. We locate them, contact ICE, and start the bond request immediately.
Call the detention line now02
I do not know where they are being held
People are transferred between facilities quickly. We find them through ICE's locator, the facilities, and the officers.
Help me find them03
A bond hearing is coming up
The bond packet decides the number. We prepare the sponsor, the evidence, and the argument before the judge.
Prepare for the hearing04
Bond was denied or set too high
A denial can be appealed, and a new hearing can be requested when circumstances change. Do not give up after one ruling.
Review my options05
They have a criminal record
Some convictions block bond, many do not. The exact statute and sentence control, and we contest mandatory detention.
Estimate the bond06
Detained at the border or recently arrived
Recent arrivals face different rules, including ICE parole instead of a court bond. We identify the right path.
Talk to an attorneyFree bond estimator
How Much Could the Immigration Bond Be?
Answer six quick questions to see a typical bond range and the factors the immigration judge will weigh. Then read below what we put in the bond packet to bring the number down. Nothing you enter leaves your device.
- Flight risk: family, home, work, and time in the U.S.
- Danger to the community: criminal history and rehabilitation
- Prior removal orders and missed hearings
- Whether mandatory detention rules block a bond entirely
The estimate is a starting point. A well-prepared bond packet with sponsor letters and proof of ties routinely brings the number down. That is the work we do.
Talk to the Detention TeamFree tool · Santos Khoury Law
Immigration Bond Estimator
Estimate the likely bond range for an ICE detention case and see which factors the judge will weigh.
100% confidential. Runs in your browser, nothing is stored or sent.
Someone You Love Is Detained?
Every day in detention matters. Our attorneys request bond hearings nationwide and know how to present ties, sponsorship, and evidence the way judges expect. We can often move within days.
Disclaimer: Bond amounts are set by immigration judges and vary widely by jurisdiction, judge, and individual circumstances. Mandatory detention under INA §236(c) may apply to certain criminal convictions, in which case no bond is available from the immigration court. This tool provides general information only and is not legal advice. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Santos Khoury Law.
Immigration bonds, explained
How an Immigration Bond Works, From ICE Custody to Release
The immigration bond process in plain language: who decides, who qualifies, how the bond is paid, and what to expect after release. Read it in three minutes, then let us handle it.
- 01
What an immigration bond is
An immigration bond, often called an ICE bond or immigration bail bond, is money paid to ICE so a detained person can be released while the removal case continues. It guarantees they will attend every hearing and follow every order. The most common type is a delivery bond.
- 02
Who sets the amount
ICE makes the first custody decision. If ICE denies bond or sets it too high, an immigration judge can review it at a bond hearing, also called a custody redetermination. The legal minimum is $1,500; judges often set $5,000 to $10,000, and more where flight risk or safety concerns appear.
- 03
Who is eligible
Not everyone. Certain criminal convictions trigger mandatory detention, recent arrivals may be limited to a parole request to ICE instead of a court bond, and the rules changed in 2025 and 2026 and are being challenged in court. Eligibility has to be reviewed case by case by an attorney.
- 04
What the judge weighs
Two questions: is the person a flight risk, and are they a danger to the community. Family ties, a fixed address, work history, community support, court attendance, and rehabilitation evidence answer them. That evidence is the bond packet.
- 05
How the bond is paid
A sponsor with lawful status, usually a U.S. citizen or green card holder, pays the full amount to ICE through the online CeBONDS system or at an ICE office. A licensed immigration bond company can post it for a fee. Release usually follows within a day of payment.
- 06
Refund, and what comes next
The bond is refundable to the sponsor once the case ends and every condition was met. Release does not end the case: hearings continue, check-ins must be kept, and a missed hearing can mean a removal order and a lost bond. We stay on as the defense team.
Building a strong bond request
What Makes an Immigration Judge Say Yes to Bond
A bond hearing is won on preparation. These are the six things we document in every bond packet, and what we ask families to start gathering on day one.
Stable Residence
A lease or mortgage, utility bills, and a sponsor's letter confirming a safe, fixed address.
Community Support
Letters from family, employers, faith leaders, and community members who will vouch for the person.
Employment History
Pay stubs, tax returns, and employer letters showing steady work and daily responsibilities.
Immigration Compliance
Prior court attendance, check-ins, and filings that show the person follows the rules.
Rehabilitation Evidence
Completed programs, treatment records, and positive changes that answer any public-safety concern.
Strong evidence supports a request, but no outcome can be guaranteed.
How we help
Immigration Bond Lawyers for Every Stage of Detention
From the first phone call to the bond hearing, and the removal defense that follows release. Our immigration detention attorneys know what ICE and the immigration judge need to see, and we build the request around it.
Emergency Bond Hearings
We file the custody redetermination request with a complete bond packet and argue for release before the immigration judge.
Locating Your Loved One
ICE moves people between facilities. We find where they are held, confirm the A-number, and open the line to the deportation officer.
Mandatory Detention Challenges
Whether a conviction really triggers mandatory detention is a technical question. We contest the designation at a Joseph hearing.
Habeas Corpus for Prolonged Detention
When detention drags on without a bond hearing, we petition the federal court for release or a hearing.
ICE Parole & Release Requests
For people ICE holds without court jurisdiction, we prepare parole requests with humanitarian and public-interest evidence.
Bond Appeals & Redetermination
Bond denied or set too high? We appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and request a new hearing when circumstances change.
Sponsor & Payment Guidance
We prepare the sponsor's letter and documents and walk the family through paying the bond to ICE correctly.
Defense After Release
Release is step one. We continue as your removal defense team: asylum, cancellation of removal, waivers, and appeals.
Nationwide detention coverage
Bond Hearings at Any ICE Facility, Any Immigration Court
ICE moves people across state lines within days. Our immigration detention attorneys appear in person or by video wherever your loved one is held, including:
Tell Us Where They Are Held- Otay Mesa Detention Center · San Diego, CA
- Adelanto ICE Processing Center · Adelanto, CA
- Krome Service Processing Center · Miami, FL
- Broward Transitional Center · Pompano Beach, FL
- Elizabeth Detention Center · Elizabeth, NJ
- Delaney Hall · Newark, NJ
- Buffalo Federal Detention Facility · Batavia, NY
- Plymouth County Correctional Facility · Plymouth, MA
- Torrance County Detention Facility · Estancia, NM
- Otero County Processing Center · Chaparral, NM
- Stewart Detention Center · Lumpkin, GA
- Port Isabel Detention Center · Los Fresnos, TX
- Montgomery Processing Center · Conroe, TX
- Eloy Detention Center · Eloy, AZ
- Northwest ICE Processing Center · Tacoma, WA
- Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center · Jena, LA
- + every other ICE facility, county jail holding ICE detainees, and immigration court
One minute from our attorneys on the first steps when a loved one is in ICE custody. The bond request can be filed as soon as we are retained.
What to do if ICE detains someone
What Happens After an ICE Arrest, and Why Speed Wins
The fastest way to get someone out of ICE detention is a bond request filed early, with the evidence the judge needs already in hand. This is the sequence families face, and where an immigration bond lawyer changes it.
First 24 hours
Intake and processing. People are often moved between facilities, sometimes to another state. Locating them quickly matters.
48 to 72 hours
ICE makes its first custody decision and issues charging documents. Without a lawyer, families get conflicting information.
First week
An attorney can request a bond hearing and start the packet. Every document gathered now shortens the time in detention.
Bond hearing
Set by the court, typically within days to a few weeks. Release usually follows within 24 hours of payment.
Do not know where they are? Search ICE’s Online Detainee Locator with their full name and country of birth, or call us and we will find them.
Bond rules changed in 2025 and 2026 and are being challenged in court. Who can get a hearing, and from whom, must be reviewed case by case.
Why families trust Santos Khoury
Your Family Needs Answers. We Give Honest Ones, Fast.
An ICE detention turns a whole family upside down in a single day. Our founders come from immigrant families, and that shapes how we work: fast, direct, and relentless for release.
A real attorney on the detention line, 24/7
Detentions do not happen on a schedule. You reach a lawyer who handles ICE detention every day, not a call center.
Any facility, any immigration court
ICE transfers people across state lines. We follow the case wherever it goes, in person and by video, in all 50 states.
Five languages, one team
English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and French. Your family gets straight answers in the language you think in.
Honest guidance, no false promises
We tell you whether bond is realistic and what it will take. Clear information and honest expectations, from the first call.
We understand what this feels like.
- Children are confused about what is happening
- Income can disappear overnight
- Relatives receive conflicting information
- Everyone wants answers immediately
The first step is understanding what options remain. You only need to tell us what happened.
What happens after you call
From One Phone Call to the Bond Hearing
Calling does not commit your family to representation. It starts the evaluation, and it starts the clock working in your favor.
- 01
We Listen and Locate
Tell us who was detained and what happened. We find where they are held and contact ICE the same day.
- 02
We Evaluate Eligibility
We review the detention circumstances, the record, and the law that applies, and tell you honestly whether bond is possible.
- 03
We Build the Bond Packet
Sponsor letter, proof of ties, employment, community support, and rehabilitation evidence, filed with the motion.
- 04
We Argue for Release
Your attorney appears at the bond hearing, and we guide the family through paying the bond and what comes next.
Watch: our attorneys on ICE detention
Short Answers From the Attorneys Who Handle These Cases
Six one-minute videos on what happens after an ICE arrest and what your family can do about it. Tap one to watch, then call us.
ICE custody
Understanding ICE custody and detention defense
What happens after ICE custody and how detention defense works.
After an arrest
Can one arrest put you in ICE custody?
How a single arrest can lead to ICE detention, and what to do next.
Know your rights
ICE at your door? Know what to do
Your rights if ICE comes to your home.
Court arrests
Arrested in immigration court before seeing a judge
What courthouse arrests mean for your case.
Final orders
Received a final deportation order?
Options that may remain after a final order of removal.
At the border
Signed something at the border without reading it?
Time is critical. What can still be done after a border detention.
Have a question the videos did not answer? Call 888-805-9065 or message us on WhatsApp.
Client reviews
Real Clients. Real Reviews.
From ICE detention to a green card
A family we represented tells the story in their own words. Every review on this page comes from our verified Google Business profile, and we share client stories only with permission.
KKhalid Khan December 2025 · Google
★★★★★
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Attorney Fernando and Jad Essayli. Their expertise and dedication were evident throughout. I felt supported and confident, and ultimately we achieved a positive outcome.”
Positive outcome
HHatim Yousif May 2026 · Google
★★★★★
“I cannot thank Daniella at Santos Khoury enough for her professional and compassionate support. She was incredibly quick to respond, kept me fully informed, and showed genuine care for my case.”
Responsive, caring team
AAlima September 2025 · Google
★★★★★
“Santos Khoury filed a mandamus petition that finally forced USCIS to act. When I was referred to Immigration Court, Attorney Jad Essayli represented me and my daughter, and we were granted asylum. This completely changed our lives.”
Asylum granted in immigration court
Reviews describe individual client experiences. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Flexible options
Get Legal Help Without Paying Everything Upfront
Hiring a lawyer while paying a bond can feel impossible. It should not be. We keep pricing transparent and offer payment plans on most cases.
Monthly Payment Plans
Spread the cost of your case over time with monthly installments built around your situation.
Clear Pricing Upfront
You know exactly what your case will cost from day one. No surprises.
No Hidden Fees
What we quote is what you pay. Quality representation at the bond hearing should be within reach.
Before you call, meet the attorneys
Meet the Immigration Detention Attorneys on Your Family’s Case
Two founding partners, one nationwide practice. We cannot promise outcomes. We can promise honest guidance and a serious, fast evaluation.
Founding Partner
Matthew Khoury, Esq.
Leads the firm’s removal defense, detention, and bond practice. Comes from an immigrant family himself, which shapes his hands-on approach to every family’s case.
- State Bar of California
- New York State Bar
Founding Partner
Fernando Santos, Esq.
Oversees asylum, humanitarian, and family-based cases nationwide, the relief that often follows a successful bond hearing.
- New York State Bar
- Massachusetts Bar Association
Common questions
Immigration Bond Questions, Answered
Straight answers to the questions families ask us in the first hour after an ICE detention.
Can everyone detained by ICE get an immigration bond?
No. Some people are subject to mandatory detention, usually because of certain criminal convictions or the way they entered, and others need a legal analysis before any request can be made. Eligibility rules changed in 2025 and 2026 and are being litigated, so every case needs an individual review by an attorney.
How much is an immigration bond?
The legal minimum is $1,500. Immigration judges commonly set bonds between $5,000 and $10,000, and higher where flight risk or public-safety concerns appear. Family ties, a stable home, work history, court attendance, and rehabilitation evidence all move the number. Use the estimator on this page for a typical range.
How do I request a bond hearing?
A request is made to the immigration court (a custody redetermination hearing) or, in some cases, to ICE directly, depending on how the person was detained. We review the file, file the motion with a complete bond packet, and appear at the hearing.
How long until the bond hearing?
It depends on the detention facility and the court's docket, from a few days to a few weeks. The sooner an attorney files the request with a strong packet, the sooner the hearing is set. We explain the realistic range for your loved one's location on the first call.
What does the judge consider at the bond hearing?
Whether the person is a flight risk and whether they are a danger to the community. Evidence of family in the U.S., a fixed address, employment, community support letters, prior court attendance, and rehabilitation is what a strong bond packet is built from.
I do not know where my family member is being held. Can you find them?
Yes. We locate detained clients through ICE's detainee locator, the detention facilities, and direct contact with ICE officers. You only need to know the person's full name and country of birth, and ideally their date of birth or A-number.
How is an immigration bond paid, and who can pay it?
The bond is paid to ICE by an obligor, usually a family member or friend with lawful status, through ICE's online CeBONDS system or in person at an ICE office. The money is refundable at the end of the case if the person attends every hearing and complies with orders. We guide the sponsor through the payment step by step.
Does winning bond mean the immigration case is over?
No. Bond only changes custody. The removal case continues in immigration court, and every hearing must be attended. Many of our bond clients stay with us for the defense that follows, including asylum, cancellation of removal, and other relief.
Do you represent detained immigrants nationwide, and in which languages?
Yes. We handle bond hearings in immigration courts across the United States, in person and by video, and our team assists families in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and French.
What is an immigration bond, and is it the same as an ICE bond or an immigration bail bond?
Yes, families use all three names for the same thing. An immigration bond is money paid to ICE so a detained person can be released while the removal case continues. It guarantees they will attend every hearing and follow every order. It is not a criminal bail bond: the rules, the payment process, and the refund work differently. The most common type is a delivery bond.
What are the immigration bond requirements?
For the detained person: no mandatory-detention bar, and evidence that they are neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. For the sponsor who pays, called the obligor: lawful immigration status, in practice a U.S. citizen or green card holder, valid government ID, and a stable address where the released person will live. We prepare the sponsor letter and walk the family through every requirement before the hearing.
Is the immigration bond refunded?
Yes, when the case ends and every condition was met, including attending all hearings and, if ordered, departing on time. ICE cancels the bond and returns the money to the sponsor. A missed hearing can breach the bond and forfeit the money, which is why we keep the case on track after release.
Bond was denied or set too high. What can we do?
A denial or a high bond can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals, and a new bond hearing can be requested when circumstances change, such as new evidence of family ties or a resolved criminal matter. When detention drags on without any hearing, a habeas corpus petition in federal court can force one.
How can I check on the bond and the case after the hearing?
The immigration court's automated case system gives hearing dates by A-number, and ICE's online detainee locator shows where a person is held until release. For our clients we confirm the payment, the release, and the next hearing date directly with the family.
Have a different question? Call 888-805-9065
Free and confidential
Your Family Needs Answers. Start With One Conversation.
You do not need to understand immigration law before contacting us. You only need to tell us what happened. Same-day slots, 24/7 detention line, five languages.
Call 888-805-9065 Book a Free Bond Consultation
Every case is different. Bond eligibility and release cannot be guaranteed.