--- title: "Family Member Detained by ICE? Bond Hearings and Next Steps" description: "Family member detained by ICE? How to use the ICE detainee locator, how immigration bond hearings work in 2026, and Farmville and Caroline details." url: "https://firstpointlaw.com/solutions/family-member-detained-by-ice" --- Immigration guide # My Family Member Was Detained by ICE. What Can We Do? Learning that a family member was detained by ICE is frightening, and the first days can feel chaotic. This page explains how to find your loved one and how immigration bond works in 2026. It also covers the Farmville and Caroline detention centers in Virginia. [Call (703) 385-6868](tel:+17033856868) Request a Consultation - Clients in Virginia, across the U.S. and abroad ## The first days matter Some people can be removed quickly, for example if they have an earlier deportation order, and papers signed in custody can end a case. Finding the person, writing down the A-Number and talking with a lawyer early helps a family understand the options. [Talk with our team: (703) 385-6868](tel:+17033856868) [Practice area **Immigration Law**](/legal-services/immigration-law/) ## At a glance - Search ICE's Online Detainee Locator with the A-Number and country of birth, then call the facility to confirm. - ICE makes the first custody decision. Many people can then ask an immigration judge for a bond hearing. The legal minimum is $1,500. - Bond eligibility for people who entered without inspection is being litigated. The Supreme Court agreed to review it in October 2026. - Farmville and Caroline have different visiting rules. Check each facility's ICE page before you call or visit. ## The First 48 Hours: Finding Your Family Member ### Search ICE's Online Detainee Locator ICE runs a free search tool, the Online Detainee Locator System. You can search it in two ways: - By A-Number and country of birth. The A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is a nine-digit government file number. It appears in the upper right corner of a Notice to Appear and on many other immigration papers. - By full name and country of birth. The system may also ask for a date of birth. It looks for an exact match, so try other spellings and hyphenated names. The locator shows the facility and its contact details, but it can be several hours behind. People under 18 do not appear, and new arrests may take time to show up. If you cannot find the person, ICE says to contact the local ICE field office. Both Virginia facilities below list ICE's Washington Field Office, at (703) 633-2100. ### Call the Facility Call the facility to confirm the person is there. Detained people cannot receive incoming calls, but staff can usually pass along an urgent message. People in custody can make outgoing calls, including free calls to legal service providers on lists posted in their housing units. ### What Families Commonly Gather Having these ready helps a lawyer act quickly: - Full legal name, other names used, date of birth, country of birth and A-Number - Copies of passports, IDs and immigration papers, such as a Notice to Appear, earlier orders, applications or receipts - Court records for any arrest, including the final outcome - Proof of an address where the person would live if released - Proof of family ties, such as a marriage certificate and children's birth certificates - Proof of work and taxes, and letters from employers, relatives and community members ## Papers to Read Carefully and the Right to a Lawyer ICE sometimes asks people to sign forms soon after an arrest. Some can end a case quickly. Two common examples: - Voluntary departure: agreeing to leave the United States at your own expense by a set date, instead of continuing to fight the case. - Stipulated removal order: agreeing to a deportation order without a hearing before an immigration judge. The law treats it as a final finding that the person can be removed. Both can have long-term effects, including limits on returning to the United States later. Government agencies and legal aid groups commonly advise people not to sign papers they do not understand. A person in custody can ask to speak with a lawyer first. In immigration court, a person has the right to a lawyer of their choice, at no expense to the government. In practice, that means the government does not appoint or pay for one. Only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives of recognized organizations may give immigration legal advice. Be cautious of a notario or "immigration consultant" who promises a quick release. In the United States, a notario is not authorized to provide immigration legal services. ## Immigration Bond: How It Works An immigration bond is money paid to ICE so a detained person can be released while the case continues. It is a promise that the person will attend every hearing and report to ICE when told. If they do, the money can be returned. If they do not, the bond can be forfeited, meaning lost. ### Who Decides: ICE First, Then a Judge ICE makes the first custody decision. An ICE officer may release the person, set a bond, or keep them detained. If ICE sets no bond, or one the family cannot pay, many people can ask an immigration judge to review it. This is called a bond hearing, or "bond redetermination." The bond hearing is separate from the deportation case itself. Either side can appeal the judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the appeals body for immigration courts. A second bond hearing generally requires showing a significant change in circumstances. The request goes to the immigration court that covers the place of detention. Detained hearings may take place by video or in a courtroom inside a detention facility. The hearing notice names the court. ### How Much Is an Immigration Bond? The law sets a minimum bond of $1,500 and no fixed maximum. The amount depends on the person's situation. In general, a judge sets it at the level needed to make sure the person returns to court. ### What Judges Usually Consider The person asking for release generally must show they are not a danger to the community and are likely to attend future hearings. Judges often weigh: - How long the person has lived in the United States, and whether they have a fixed address - Family ties, especially to U.S. citizens and green card holders - Work history and community ties - Their record of attending court and immigration appointments - Any criminal record, including how serious and how recent - Immigration history, including earlier orders and the manner of entry - Whether they may qualify for a way to stay in the United States ### How Bond Is Paid Once ICE or a judge sets a bond, someone pays the full amount to ICE. That person is called the obligor. For the usual type, a delivery bond, the obligor must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a law firm or a nonprofit. - Online: ICE's CeBONDS system lets eligible obligors in the United States post a cash bond. Posting hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the time zone where the person is held. Payment is by bank transfer (ACH or Fedwire). - At an ICE office: ICE says it still works with obligors who come to an ICE office on a case-by-case basis. Banking access is still needed. - Through a bond company: Some families use a surety company, which charges its own fees and sets its own terms. Keep every receipt and the bond contract (Form I-352). The money is returned only after ICE formally cancels the bond, once its conditions are met. ## Who Can Get a Bond Hearing in 2026 For years, most people arrested inside the United States could ask a judge for bond. In July 2025, the government began treating people who entered without inspection as subject to mandatory detention, with no bond hearing. "Entered without inspection" means crossing into the country without being admitted by an officer at a port of entry. In September 2025, the BIA adopted that view in a decision called Matter of Yajure Hurtado. Immigration judges generally must follow BIA precedent. Federal courts have disagreed. On September 10, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which covers Virginia, decided Lopez Garcia v. Guadian. It held that two long-time residents held at the Caroline Detention Facility were entitled to bond hearings. The court noted that most federal appeals courts agree, but the circuits are split. On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the issue in another case, Rhoney v. Barbosa da Cunha. In practice, access to a bond hearing now depends on how and when the person entered, how long they have lived here and where they are held. It also depends on how these decisions are applied. The rules are being litigated and may change again. Our team can review your family member's history and explain where things stand. ## Mandatory Detention: INA 236(c) and the Laken Riley Act Mandatory detention means the law requires a person to stay detained while the case goes on, so a judge cannot set bond. Under section 236(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), it covers many people with certain criminal or security-related grounds. The Laken Riley Act, signed in January 2025, added a new group. It covers people who are inadmissible, meaning barred from admission, for entering without inspection, for fraud or misrepresentation, or for lacking valid entry documents. It applies if they have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admit to certain crimes: - Burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting - Assault of a law enforcement officer - Any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury An arrest or charge can be enough, even without a conviction. Whether a past case fits these categories depends on the exact charge, the court records and the immigration history. A person can sometimes ask a judge to decide whether they were placed in a mandatory category correctly. ## Other Possible Paths to Release - Release by ICE on conditions: ICE can release some people without bond, under conditions such as reporting. - Parole: A judge cannot release some people, such as many who arrived at a port of entry. ICE may still consider parole for them, case by case. Parole is permission to be released from custody, not an immigration status. - Alternatives to detention: ICE can release some people under supervision, such as phone or app check-ins or a GPS monitor. - Federal court review: Some people have asked a federal district court to review their detention. This is done through a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. The Fourth Circuit case above began this way. Which of these may fit depends on the person's history. Our team can review it with you. ## Farmville Detention Center ICE lists the Farmville Detention Center at 508 Waterworks Road, Farmville, VA 23901. The main number is (434) 395-8114. For detainee information, ICE says to call between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the person's full name, date of birth and country of birth. - Visits: Family visits are non-contact and must be scheduled in advance online. Visiting days depend on the person's ICE classification. Hours run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Adults need a valid government photo ID, and minors must stay with an adult. - Calls and messages: Detained people cannot receive calls. For an urgent message, call the facility with the person's full name and A-Number. Tablets are available for non-confidential messages. - Mail: Letters must include the person's full name and A-Number. ICE advises against mailing cash. - Lawyers: Attorneys schedule in-person and video visits through ICE's ERO eFile system. In-person legal visits are offered daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ## Caroline Detention Facility ICE lists the Caroline Detention Facility at 11093 SW Lewis Memorial Drive, Bowling Green, VA 22427. For detainee information, ICE's page lists (804) 633-0043, extension 151 or 261, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Visits: Family visits are on Saturdays and Sundays only. They are non-contact and last up to 60 minutes. Hours depend on the person's housing group. No visits are allowed during a person's first 10 days. Arrive at least 30 minutes early with a valid government photo ID. - Calls and messages: Detained people cannot receive calls. ICE's page lists extension 104 for urgent messages. Tablets are available for non-confidential messages. - Lawyers: In-person attorney visits run 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week, by appointment. Virtual attorney visits can also be requested. Facility rules, hours and phone numbers change. Before you call or drive, check the current ICE pages for Farmville and Caroline. ## How First Point Can Help Our immigration team, Katherine Martell and Khadija N. Khan, represents people held in ICE detention and handles bond hearings. We can help locate your family member, review the papers they received, prepare a bond request with supporting evidence, and represent them at the bond hearing. Immigration law is federal, so we help families in Virginia, in other states and abroad. Much of the work can be done by phone and email. If your family member also has a court date, see I Have an Immigration Court Hearing Coming Up. If they have an earlier deportation order, see I Have a Deportation Order. You can also read about our immigration law services. For a consultation, bring or send what you have from the list under "What Families Commonly Gather" above. Add where the person is held and any papers from ICE or the immigration court. You do not need every document before you contact us. ## Your immigration team - Katherine Martell Managing Partner - Khadija N. Khan Attorney ## Frequently Asked Questions What does an immigration bond mean? An immigration bond is money paid to ICE so a detained person can be released while the case continues. The person who pays, called the obligor, promises that the released person will attend hearings and report to ICE when required. If all conditions are met, ICE cancels the bond and the money can be returned. If not, the bond can be forfeited. How much is an immigration bond? The legal minimum is $1,500, and the statute sets no maximum. ICE or an immigration judge sets the amount based on the person's circumstances, such as flight risk, family ties and any criminal history. If a family uses a bond company, its fees are separate from the bond amount. Can ICE let someone out on bond? Yes. ICE makes the first custody decision and can set a bond, release someone on conditions, or keep them detained. If ICE denies bond or sets an amount the family cannot pay, many people can ask an immigration judge to review it. Some people are subject to mandatory detention, and since 2025 bond eligibility for people who entered without inspection has been in the courts. How long does it take for ICE to approve a bond? For bonds posted online through CeBONDS during posting hours, ICE says review usually takes about 1 to 2 hours. Release typically happens by the end of that day. Release times vary by facility. Getting a bond hearing before an immigration judge can take longer, depending on the court's calendar. Can ICE detain minors? In limited situations. Federal law covers children in custody who have no parent or legal guardian available in the United States to care for them. Except in exceptional circumstances, they must be transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services within 72 hours. People under 18 do not appear in ICE's online locator, so families looking for a child often need help from a lawyer. Can ICE deport you if you are a U.S. citizen? No. U.S. citizens cannot be deported. ICE's own written policy says its civil immigration authority does not allow it to arrest or detain a U.S. citizen. Mistakes can happen, especially for people who became citizens through a parent. Proof such as a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or certificate of citizenship or naturalization is important in that situation. How much does an immigration lawyer cost? It depends on the work involved, such as a bond hearing alone or full representation in immigration court. It also depends on how complex the case is. Government fees, and the bond itself, are separate from legal fees. First Point explains its fees before you decide to hire us. This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. To talk about yours, call (703) 385-6868 or request a consultation. ## Sources - ICE: Attorney Information and Resources (Online Detainee Locator System) - ICE: Post a Bond (CeBONDS) - ICE: Farmville Detention Center - ICE: Caroline Detention Facility - 8 U.S.C. 1226 (INA 236): Apprehension and detention of aliens - 8 CFR 1236.1: Apprehension, custody, and detention - 8 CFR 1003.19: Custody/bond (immigration judges) - U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit: Lopez Garcia v. Guadian, No. 25-7044 (Sept. 10, 2026) - U.S. Supreme Court docket: Rhoney v. Barbosa da Cunha, No. 26-104 - ICE Directive 16001.2: Investigating the Potential U.S. Citizenship of Individuals Encountered by ICE Last reviewed October 23, 2026 ## Related situations - I have an immigration court hearing What to expect at the Annandale and Sterling immigration courts, how hearings work, and how to check your date and case status. - I have a deportation order What a deportation order means, how to check your case, and the motions, appeals and stays that may still be possible. - I'm undocumented A plain guide to the main paths to legal status: the I-601A waiver, 245(i), cancellation of removal, the U visa, VAWA and asylum. Contact First Point Law Group ## Let’s start witha conversation. Big decisions deserve personal attention. Tell us what kind of legal guidance you’re looking for, and let’s discuss the next step. Personal guidance. Clear next steps. ### We’re here tolisten first. Whether you’re planning your family’s future or facing a difficult legal issue, start by speaking with our team. [Call our office**(703) 385-6868**](tel:+17033856868) [Visit us in Fairfax**10521 Judicial Drive, Suite 300***Fairfax, VA 22030*](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=First+Point+Law+Group+10521+Judicial+Dr+Suite+300+Fairfax+VA+22030) [Send an email**info@firstpointlaw.com**](mailto:info@firstpointlaw.com) **First Point Law Group** · Fairfax, Virginia