Facing detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is one of the most frightening experiences an immigrant or their loved ones can endure. Whether you’ve been detained by ICE, are at risk of removal, or are trying to help a family member who’s in custody, you need immediate and informed legal support. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our experienced ICE detention defense attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, are here to help you protect your rights, your family, and your future.
With offices in Columbus, Independence, and Oxford, our legal team serves clients in the Cleveland area, as well as across the state and throughout the country. We provide fast, effective representation for individuals who have been detained by ICE and are facing deportation or removal proceedings. We also assist with bond hearings, motions to reopen, and other urgent immigration matters that arise once someone is in ICE custody.
If you or someone you care about has been detained by ICE or is under threat of deportation, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the more options you may have.
Why Am I Being Detained by ICE?
Detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can happen swiftly and without much warning. In many cases, it’s not about criminal activity; it’s about immigration status and enforcement priorities. Whether someone is stopped at a traffic light, attending a check-in with immigration authorities, or simply at home with their family, ICE may initiate detention based on a person’s immigration record, prior court orders, or changes in policy enforcement.
Unfortunately, recent political developments have led to increased funding and support for broader immigration enforcement efforts. This has made many immigrants, particularly those with minor legal issues or past administrative violations, more vulnerable to detention than ever before. Expanded budgets have enabled ICE to increase surveillance, initiate more workplace raids, and detain individuals with little regard to their ties to the U.S. or their positive contributions to their communities.
Common Reasons for ICE Detention
- Pending Removal Proceedings: You may be detained while awaiting a scheduled hearing in immigration court, especially if ICE believes you may miss the court date or present a flight risk.
- Prior Deportation Order: If you were previously ordered removed and never left the country, ICE can act at any time to enforce that order, even years later.
- Criminal Convictions: Certain criminal offenses, even old or non-violent ones, can trigger detention under federal immigration law. In some cases, a single misdemeanor may lead to ICE custody.
- Visa Overstays or Unlawful Entry: Entering the U.S. without inspection or remaining in the country beyond the expiration of a visa puts an individual at risk of being placed into detention and removal proceedings.
- Failure to Appear at Hearings: Missing even one immigration court appearance can result in an automatic removal order. This often becomes the basis for immediate detention and fast-tracked deportation.
- Heightened Enforcement Priorities: In response to evolving federal policy, ICE may increasingly target individuals who were previously considered low priority, including those with no criminal history or those awaiting status adjustments.
It’s essential to recognize that detention by ICE does not mean you have committed a crime or that you are without hope. Many detained individuals have lived in the U.S. for decades, raised children, worked hard, paid taxes, and contributed to their communities in meaningful ways. Unfortunately, sweeping enforcement initiatives and a shift in political priorities have created fear and uncertainty for immigrant families.
If you or a loved one is detained, you still have rights under U.S. law. You may be eligible for release, bond, or legal relief that prevents removal. With skilled legal representation, you can fight to remain in the country, assert your legal status, and protect your future. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our Cleveland team of immigration attorneys stands ready to act quickly and aggressively to protect your rights and pursue every available option for release and relief.
What Happens After You’re Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
Once ICE detains an individual, the process moves quickly and often without much explanation. Knowing what to expect can make a significant difference in how you respond and how your Cleveland attorney prepares your defense.
Here’s what typically happens:
- Initial Custody: ICE agents may arrest someone during a workplace raid, at their home, during a traffic stop in cooperation with local law enforcement, or after a court appearance. The person is then taken into ICE custody.
- Transfer to a Detention Center: Detainees are often transferred to local jails or contracted immigration detention facilities. In Ohio, this may include facilities in Butler County, Geauga County, or facilities in surrounding states depending on capacity.
- Notice to Appear (NTA): ICE will issue a Notice to Appear in immigration court, outlining the reasons for removal. This document initiates removal proceedings.
- Custody Review or Bond Consideration: ICE may determine whether to detain the individual without bond, release them on recognizance, or set a bond. If ICE refuses bond or sets it too high, the detainee has the right to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
- Removal Proceedings Begin: The detained individual will be scheduled for a series of hearings in immigration court. These proceedings determine whether they will be allowed to remain in the U.S. or be deported.
Throughout this process, timing is crucial. Early intervention by an experienced Cleveland attorney can lead to a bond hearing, request for release, or legal challenge that prevents deportation. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we act quickly to advocate for detained clients and prepare strong defenses based on each person’s unique history and legal situation.
Bond Hearings in ICE Detention Cases
One of the earliest and most critical steps in the fight against deportation is securing a bond hearing. A bond hearing gives the detained individual a chance to argue for temporary release from ICE custody while their immigration case is ongoing. Immigration detention is civil, not criminal, but the consequences of being held can be just as serious, extended separation from loved ones, loss of employment, and difficulty building a defense from behind bars.
What Is a Bond Hearing?
A bond hearing is a separate legal proceeding before an immigration judge where the detainee can request release on monetary bond. Unlike a criminal court bond, ICE may initially set a bond amount, but the immigration judge has the authority to raise, lower, or deny bond based on the facts presented. If no bond is initially granted, your attorney can formally request a bond hearing and begin building your case for release.
Why Are Bond Hearings So Important?
Detention is not only emotionally and financially devastating; it can make it significantly harder to prepare for your case. A bond hearing provides an opportunity to:
- Return to your home and family
- Access medical care, mental health support, and legal resources
- Actively participate in preparing evidence and testimony for your immigration case
- Show the court your strong ties to the community
What Does the Judge Consider?
During the hearing, your attorney will present evidence showing that you are not a flight risk or danger to the community. The immigration judge will evaluate several key factors, including:
- Any past or pending criminal charges or convictions
- Your history of attending immigration court hearings
- Length of time you’ve lived in the U.S.
- Family members with lawful status
- Whether you are employed or engaged in community or religious organizations
If bond is granted, the minimum amount under immigration law is typically $1,500, but in practice, it can be much higher. Once bond is paid, you will be released and allowed to remain in the U.S. while your case is pending, an enormous advantage for building a successful defense.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we fight vigorously to secure bond for our clients. Our Cleveland immigration attorneys understand how to present the strongest possible case for release, and we move quickly to request bond hearings as soon as detention occurs.
How Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Can Help Cleveland Families
We gather and present compelling evidence like affidavits from family, employment verification, school records, and community references to show that you or your loved one deserves release. We also assist with filing bond redetermination requests if the initial bond amount is unaffordable.
Our Cleveland firm has successfully helped countless clients in Cleveland and throughout Ohio secure release through bond hearings. We know how to make the strongest possible case for your freedom.
How Can a Cleveland Immigration Attorney Help if You’ve Been Detained?
Being detained by ICE is stressful, overwhelming, and often frightening, but you do not have to face it alone. The Cleveland attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez are highly experienced in defending detained immigrants and have earned a reputation for fast action, creative legal strategies, and a commitment to fighting for each client’s future.
Here’s how we help detained clients:
- Immediate Response: We understand the urgency of ICE detention and respond quickly to protect your rights from the start. Our Cleveland attorneys can contact the detention facility, begin preparing a bond request, and start building your defense right away.
- Criminal-Immigration Defense: Many detained individuals face immigration consequences stemming from past criminal charges. Our Cleveland firm has decades of experience in both immigration law and criminal defense for immigrants, giving us the tools to handle these complex intersections.
- Removal Defense: We represent clients in immigration court proceedings, seeking relief from removal through asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and waivers.
- Bond and Custody Advocacy: We request and prepare bond hearings, challenge mandatory detention, and pursue humanitarian release options.
- Multilingual, Culturally Attuned Representation: Our Cleveland staff speaks multiple languages and works with clients from across Asia, South America, Europe, and beyond. We understand the cultural context that affects each case.
- Personalized Legal Strategy: Every case is different. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your legal options clearly, and develop a tailored defense plan.
With offices in Columbus, Independence, and Oxford, Ohio, we are well-positioned to represent clients detained throughout Cleveland and the state of Ohio. If your loved one has been detained, call us right away. The faster we act, the more we can do to help.
What If My Loved One Has Already Been Deported or Is Facing Immediate Removal in Cleveland?
Learning that a family member has already been deported or is at risk of being removed at any moment can be heartbreaking. But even in these urgent situations, legal options may still be available.
If Your Loved One Has Already Been Deported:
- You may be able to file a motion to reopen their case, especially if new evidence or legal developments exist.
- We can explore humanitarian relief, including U visas, VAWA petitions, or temporary protected status (TPS) if applicable.
- In some cases, our Cleveland attorneys may be able to pursue consular processing or an I-212 waiver for lawful reentry.
If Your Loved One Is Facing Imminent Removal:
- We can file for a stay of removal, which may temporarily halt deportation while legal remedies are pursued.
- Our Cleveland attorneys may request an emergency review with the immigration court or Board of Immigration Appeals.
- We act quickly to file motions, present evidence, and assert available forms of relief.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we are available 24/7 for emergency immigration matters in Cleveland. We understand how urgent and emotional these cases are—and we will fight for every available avenue to keep your family together.
Our Cleveland firm does more than assist with
employment-based immigration; we provide full-spectrum legal support for individuals and families facing all types of immigration concerns. From initial filings to courtroom advocacy, we proudly serve clients in Cleveland, Ohio and across the country in matters such as:
Whether you're seeking protection from removal, pursuing lawful residency, or appealing a denied petition, our experienced Cleveland immigration attorneys are here to help. We understand what’s at stake and are committed to guiding you with clarity, compassion, and fierce legal advocacy every step of the way.
Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Today for Immediate Help in Cleveland
If you or someone you love has been detained by ICE, is facing a bond hearing, or is at risk of removal, do not wait to seek legal help. The immigration system moves quickly and delays can mean fewer options and greater risk.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our ICE detention defense attorneys in Cleveland provide fast, focused, and compassionate representation in Cleveland when it matters most. With decades of experience, multilingual staff, and a proven track record in bond hearings, removal defense, and appeals, we are ready to fight for your freedom.
We serve clients in Cleveland, Independence, Columbus, Oxford, and throughout the state of Ohio. Let us help you take the next step toward protecting your rights and your future.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and speak with an experienced Cleveland immigration defense attorney.
