Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) picks you up from jail, it means you have an immigration hold or detainer placed against you. After your release from local custody, ICE transfers you to a federal detention facility for immigration processing. What happens next depends on your legal status, prior immigration history, and in case you face criminal charges.

Understanding ICE Detainers

An ICE detainer is a request from federal immigration authorities to local law enforcement asking them to hold a person for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released. This gives ICE time to take custody. These holds are common when local police discover that someone in custody may be undocumented or in violation of immigration laws.

What Happens After ICE Custody Begins

Once ICE takes you into custody, agents transport you to a detention center. You’ll be processed, fingerprinted, and given paperwork explaining your immigration status and potential removal proceedings. At this point, ICE can either start deportation proceedings, set a bond amount for release, or hold you without bond if they consider you a flight risk or threat to public safety.

Options For Release From ICE Custody

In some cases, ICE or an immigration judge may allow release through…

• Immigration bond – You or your family can pay a bond, similar to bail, allowing temporary release while your case proceeds.
• Order of supervision – You may be released under conditions such as check-ins, electronic monitoring, or travel restrictions.

How To Protect Your Rights

If ICE detains you, you have the right to contact an immigration attorney and to request a bond hearing. You also have the right to remain silent and to avoid signing documents until speaking with legal counsel. Family members can help by locating the detained person through the ICE Detainee Locator and arranging legal representation quickly.

When ICE picks you up from jail, you enter federal immigration custody for processing or possible deportation. The next steps depend on your case, but legal representation can greatly affect the outcome. Acting quickly to secure an attorney and request a bond hearing is necessary to protect your rights and improve your chances of release.