How can I find out where someone is detained by ICE?

If you believe a friend or family member has been detained by ICE, the first step is to use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). This free tool allows you to search nationwide by entering the person’s A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth, or if that is unknown, their name, country of birth, and date of birth. The system will identify where the person is being held and provide the contact information for that detention facility. If the person was only recently taken into custody, it may take 24-72 hours for their information to appear in the system. For quicker updates, family members or attorneys can contact ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directly. In Northern Nevada, the relevant office is ICE ERO Reno, located at 6999 Sierra Center Parkway, Reno, NV 89511 (phone 775-789-3000). ICE staff can confirm custody status and provide next-step instructions. Once the person’s location is confirmed, your attorney can contact the detention center to arrange communication and begin preparing a bond hearing request if the person is eligible for release.

What factors does a Nevada judge consider when deciding on detention or bail?

In immigration cases, bond and detention decisions in Nevada are handled by EOIR immigration judges in Las Vegas, not by state criminal courts. When a detainee requests a bond hearing, the judge considers whether the person poses a danger to the community or a flight risk, which means a risk of failing to appear at future hearings. The judge’s authority to grant or deny bond comes from Section 236(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. To make that decision, the judge examines the individual’s: Community ties: Your length of residence, family relationships, employment, and property ownershi Criminal record: The seriousness of any offenses, any history of violence, and your compliance with probation, if applicable Immigration history: Any prior deportations, missed hearings, or visa violations Likelihood of success: Whether you likely qualify for the type of relief sought in the underlying immigration case, such as asylum or Adjustment of Status Likelihood of appearance: Whether you will appear for future hearings and removal proceedings Strong factors supporting release include long-term residence in the U.S., stable family relationships (especially U.S. citizen or lawful-resident relatives), a clean or minor criminal history, and evidence of rehabilitation. Certain factors, such as recent criminal activity, prior deportations, or missed court dates, can lead to higher bond amounts or denial of bond altogether.

What conditions are imposed for release from detention on immigration bond?

When an immigration judge grants bond, release is not unconditional. The bond serves as a financial guarantee that the person will appear for all immigration hearings and comply with government requirements. After the full bond amount is paid to ICE (often at the Reno ICE ERO Office for Northern Nevada cases), the individual is released with specific conditions of supervision. These typically include: Appearing at every EOIR court hearing Reporting to ICE when required Notifying ICE and the court of any change of address Avoiding criminal violations In some cases, ICE may impose additional conditions, such as periodic check-ins, electronic monitoring, or travel restrictions, especially if the person has a prior immigration history or a pending relief application. Failure to follow these conditions or missing a scheduled court date can result in bond forfeiture and re-detention. If the person fully complies and their immigration case concludes, the bond money is returned to the person who posted it. These conditions are meant to balance public safety with fairness, allowing non-citizens to remain with their families while their cases proceed through the immigration system.

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Bond Hearings And Ice Detention

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Work With Our Compassionate Detention and Bond Hearing Attorney in Reno, NV, for Help Regaining Your Freedom and Fighting Removal Proceedings

For many immigrants, ICE detention is one of their worst nightmares. Being forcibly taken from your home or separated from your family can be traumatizing and dehumanizing. If you have been detained or have reason to believe that federal agents are seeking to take you into custody, you need the dedicated advocacy of a Reno ICE detention lawyer at Smit Law Group.

In the current climate, many non-citizens are understandably worried about being detained, even when they haven’t done anything wrong. You don’t have to commit any criminal violations to be detained by ICE. Administrative issues with your immigration benefits and even misunderstandings can sometimes lead to ICE detention. We want every immigrant in Reno and throughout Northern Nevada to know that they have rights and options, including the ability, if eligible, to seek release on bond while their immigration case proceeds.

We’re here to help our clients return to their homes and reunite with their families. Contact us today to discuss your case with experienced immigration attorney Margaretha Smit.

Facing ICE Detention in Reno, NV?

If you or your family member has been detained by ICE, or if you fear detention amidst the current climate, it’s important to understand your rights and options under immigration law. Having an experienced Reno ICE detention lawyer on your side can help you protect yourself and your ability to remain in the United States.

Commonly abbreviated as ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that dates back to 2003. ICE’s mission is to enforce immigration laws within the United States and to manage the detention and removal of individuals who may be in the country unlawfully. Under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), ICE has the authority to:

Arrest and detain individuals pending removal proceedings
Detain certain “arriving aliens” or individuals apprehended at or near the border
Detain and remove individuals after a final order of removal has been issued

In practice, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division handles arrests, detention, transportation, and deportation of non-citizens. The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) represents the government in immigration court proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which is part of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

What this all boils down to is the reality that immigrants detained by ICE find themselves up against the federal government. The opposing counsel in an immigration court case is employed by ICE, and the judge is employed by the DOJ. Without having professional legal guidance on your side, you’re at a serious disadvantage.

Your future deserves attention today. Call 775-993-2235 or contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

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775-993-2235

When and Why ICE Detains Individuals

ICE detention can occur under several circumstances. The specific circumstances under which you or a family member has been detained impact when someone may be held and what rights they have. In our experience, the most common grounds for ICE detention in Reno and the surrounding areas are:

Arrest by Customs and Border Protection officers: Individuals who enter the country without inspection or cross the border unlawfully may be transferred to ICE custody for processing.
Pending removal proceedings: Non-citizens in removal (deportation) proceedings can be detained while awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge, but it may be possible to be released while your case in Immigration Court is pending.
Criminal charges or convictions: Individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes or who are serving criminal sentences are often detained by ICE and can be ineligible for bond under the mandatory detention laws that apply to certain categories of offenses, such as aggravated felonies and drug offenses.
Violations of prior orders or supervision: Individuals who failed to appear for court, violated conditions of release, or reentered after a prior removal order can be taken back into ICE custody.
National security or public safety concerns: In addition to the reasons for detention mentioned above, ICE may detain individuals it believes pose a flight risk or danger to the community.

Conditions of ICE Detention

While ICE oversees immigration detention, it often contracts with local jails, private detention centers, or federal facilities to hold detainees. Facilities must follow ICE’s Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS), which set requirements for:

Access to medical care and legal representation
Contact with family and attorneys
Visitation rights and communication
Safety, cleanliness, and humane treatment

Despite these standards, actual detention conditions can vary widely. ICE detention is civil, not criminal. Although the individuals held in these facilities have not been convicted of crimes in immigration court, advocates often raise concerns about overcrowded conditions, insufficiency of medical care available to detainees, and violations of due process.

ICE detention is a serious matter, and you need an attorney who will treat it as such, fighting for release while your case is pending and preparing the strongest possible defense against deportation proceedings.

Immigration Bonds and ICE Detention Release

Under certain circumstances, a detainee can be held by ICE throughout the time their case in immigration court is pending. This keeps you from living your life, supporting your family, and being present in your community. At Smit Law Group, we seek release on bond for the clients we serve whenever possible. Through immigration bond release, our clients regain their freedom and their family and employment stability while their case is pending. They are also in a better position to work with our Reno ICE detention lawyer to prepare for deportation hearings.

Eligibility for Bond in Immigration Detention Cases

A “bond” is a sum of money paid to ensure that an individual who is released from detention appears at court proceedings and complies with any conditions of release. Immigration bonds apply when a non-citizen is held in detention by ICE (or another DHS component) and are intended to ensure appearance at removal proceedings.

Under current law and EOIR policy, an immigration judge determines your eligibility for bond. Certain detainees are ineligible for bond, including:

“Arriving aliens,” or people detained immediately after crossing the border
Individuals with reinstated removal or expedited removal orders due to reentering the U.S. without authorization after a prior removal
People who ICE or DHS has classified as a national security risk or linked to terrorist activity
Individuals subject to mandatory detention as a result of convictions of certain criminal offenses, including aggravated felonies, firearms offenses, controlled substance offenses, and crimes involving moral turpitude

Per a July 8, 2025, memo from ICE’s Acting Director (as published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association), individuals characterized as “applicants for admission” under INA § 235, referring to those who entered the U.S. without inspection, must be detained unless granted discretionary parole. Under this memorandum, these individuals are considered ineligible for bond hearings. Advocacy groups have noted that this directive significantly limits bond eligibility in Reno, NV, and nationwide.

Successful Immigration Bond Requests

Even if you are eligible for bond, you aren’t guaranteed to be released. Generally, you must formally request bond and convince the judge at a hearing that you:

Are not a flight risk
Don’t pose a danger to other people or property
Don’t represent a threat to national security

In deciding whether to grant bond, an immigration judge will consider factors such as criminal record, immigration history, community ties, employment, family connections, and overall credibility.

Having an experienced detention and bond hearing attorney in Reno, NV, on your side can help you make a compelling case before an immigration judge. At Smit Law Group, we have a track record of securing bond for the clients we serve so they can live their lives freely while we build their deportation defense case.

Where Bond Hearings Occur for Immigrants in the Reno, NV, Area

You can submit your request for bond in writing, orally in court, or by telephone (at the judge’s discretion) to the Immigration Court that has jurisdiction. Working with an experienced attorney can help you gather the evidence that supports your arguments and present an effective case for granting bond.

Bond hearings are conducted under the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is not part of ICE or DHS but instead a DOJ branch intended to ensure that bond hearings, removal proceedings, and appeals are decided by impartial judges. In Nevada, bond hearings, as well as removal proceedings, are usually scheduled at the EOIR Las Vegas Immigration Court. Depending on the circumstances, a bond hearing may take place in person in Las Vegas or via video teleconference (VTC) from the detention facility or jail.

If the judge grants your request, bond can be posted at certain ICE-ERO (Enforcement & Removal Operations) bond-acceptance facilities. Most of the clients we serve at Smit Law Group post bond at the ICE ERO Reno Sub-Office.

The Advantages You Gain From Hiring a Detention and Bond Hearing Attorney in Reno, NV

For many immigrants, the detention and deportation processes are as mysterious as they are frightening. A lot of people in and around Reno are scared of being detained by ICE, and they may not know what rights they have, under what circumstances ICE is authorized to detain them, and what happens after detention. They may worry about being detained in poor conditions, kept away from their families, or facing deportation without due process.

Having trusted legal counsel on your side provides a way to protect your rights, explore your options, and understand what ICE and immigration judges can and cannot do under the law. This means you can approach this difficult legal issue with more confidence, make informed decisions, and better manage the fear and stress that come with ICE detention. At Smit Law Group, we are often able to successfully get our clients released from detention on immigration bond. From there, we focus on advocating for relief that protects you from removal.

How Smit Law Group Can Help

With our law firm’s Reno ICE detention lawyer on your side, you’re as well-equipped as possible to handle this difficult situation. We advocate tirelessly for our clients, focusing on:

Securing release from detention on immigration bond while your case is pending
Identifying all possible avenues for relief from removal or deportation proceedings
Developing a strategy that offers the best hope of a favorable outcome that allows you to remain in the U.S.
Building your case through investigation, gathering of evidence, and strong arguments
Representing you in all hearings and proceedings in Immigration Court

On your own, you’re facing a difficult battle. It’s hard to prepare the strongest possible case while you’re detained, and you may not have enough knowledge of complex areas of immigration law to successfully argue your case. With our law firm on your side, you’ll never have to face Immigration Court alone. We provide full legal support for clients detained by ICE, helping get them home and put forward a strong defense against removal.

Why Choose Smit Law Group as Your Reno ICE Detention Lawyer?

When a loved one is detained by ICE, time and clarity are crucial. Smit Law Group moves fast to protect your rights and secure release whenever possible.

Inside knowledge: Mentored by a former USCIS adjudicator, attorney Margaretha “Greta” Smit understands how the system operates.
Proven results: Our firm has successfully obtained release, relief, and case dismissals for detained clients.
Direct access: You’ll work directly with Greta, and you will never be passed off to assistants.

We’re relentless in helping families reunite and regain peace of mind.

Contact a Reno ICE Detention Lawyer at Smit Law Group Today for Your Initial Consultation

At Smit Law Group, we understand how ICE detention can disrupt your life, threaten your family, and leave you in fear of losing everything. We fight for the clients we serve with tireless advocacy.

For help from a detention and bond hearing attorney in Reno, NV, contact Smit Law Group online or call 775-993-2235 today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bond Hearings and ICE Detention in Reno, NV

If you believe a friend or family member has been detained by ICE, the first step is to use ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS). This free tool allows you to search nationwide by entering the person’s A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and country of birth, or if that is unknown, their name, country of birth, and date of birth. The system will identify where the person is being held and provide the contact information for that detention facility.
If the person was only recently taken into custody, it may take 24-72 hours for their information to appear in the system. For quicker updates, family members or attorneys can contact ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) directly. In Northern Nevada, the relevant office is ICE ERO Reno, located at 6999 Sierra Center Parkway, Reno, NV 89511 (phone 775-789-3000). ICE staff can confirm custody status and provide next-step instructions.
Once the person’s location is confirmed, your attorney can contact the detention center to arrange communication and begin preparing a bond hearing request if the person is eligible for release.
In immigration cases, bond and detention decisions in Nevada are handled by EOIR immigration judges in Las Vegas, not by state criminal courts. When a detainee requests a bond hearing, the judge considers whether the person poses a danger to the community or a flight risk, which means a risk of failing to appear at future hearings. The judge’s authority to grant or deny bond comes from Section 236(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
To make that decision, the judge examines the individual’s:
Community ties: Your length of residence, family relationships, employment, and property ownershi
Criminal record: The seriousness of any offenses, any history of violence, and your compliance with probation, if applicable
Immigration history: Any prior deportations, missed hearings, or visa violations
Likelihood of success: Whether you likely qualify for the type of relief sought in the underlying immigration case, such as asylum or Adjustment of Status
Likelihood of appearance: Whether you will appear for future hearings and removal proceedings
Strong factors supporting release include long-term residence in the U.S., stable family relationships (especially U.S. citizen or lawful-resident relatives), a clean or minor criminal history, and evidence of rehabilitation.
Certain factors, such as recent criminal activity, prior deportations, or missed court dates, can lead to higher bond amounts or denial of bond altogether.
When an immigration judge grants bond, release is not unconditional. The bond serves as a financial guarantee that the person will appear for all immigration hearings and comply with government requirements. After the full bond amount is paid to ICE (often at the Reno ICE ERO Office for Northern Nevada cases), the individual is released with specific conditions of supervision. These typically include:
Appearing at every EOIR court hearing
Reporting to ICE when required
Notifying ICE and the court of any change of address
Avoiding criminal violations
In some cases, ICE may impose additional conditions, such as periodic check-ins, electronic monitoring, or travel restrictions, especially if the person has a prior immigration history or a pending relief application.
Failure to follow these conditions or missing a scheduled court date can result in bond forfeiture and re-detention. If the person fully complies and their immigration case concludes, the bond money is returned to the person who posted it. These conditions are meant to balance public safety with fairness, allowing non-citizens to remain with their families while their cases proceed through the immigration system.