Immigration Bond for ICE Detainees at Krome, Miami
If ICE detained your husband, son, mother or partner and they are being held at the Krome detention center, the first hours matter. We represent detainees at bond hearings before the Krome Immigration Court and, when the judge denies bond, file habeas corpus petitions in federal court.
What to do in the first 24 hours
Locate the detainee. Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator (locator.ice.gov). You need the nine-digit A-number, or the full name, country of birth and date of birth. Confirm they are at Krome and write down the A-number: you will need it for everything else.
Gather the documents. Passport or ID, any prior immigration paperwork (I-220A, NTA, USCIS receipts), proof of address, letters from family members with legal status, proof of employment and, if any exist, certified dispositions of criminal cases.
Talk to a lawyer before they sign anything. Tell your family member not to sign voluntary departure or stipulated removal paperwork without advice. Signing can close the door to bond and to any form of immigration relief.
What is an immigration bond?
An immigration bond is an amount of money deposited with the government so that a person detained by ICE can leave the detention center while their case moves through court. It is not a fine and it does not end the case: it is a guarantee that the person will appear at every hearing.
Bond can be set by ICE at the time of arrest or by an immigration judge at a bond hearing. The legal minimum is $1,500, but in Miami judges commonly set considerably higher amounts depending on the person's record and ties to the United States. If the person attends every hearing, the money is returned at the end of the case.
Who can request bond at Krome?
Not every detainee has the right to a bond hearing. In general, the law excludes:
Mandatory detention: people with certain criminal convictions (INA §236(c)).
Arriving aliens: people detained while trying to enter at a port of entry.
Prior removal order: people whose order ICE is reinstating.
Since September 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has taken the position that people who entered without inspection also cannot request bond from an immigration judge. Many federal courts have rejected that interpretation. That is why, in many Krome cases, the real path to release is not a bond hearing but a habeas corpus petition in federal court. We evaluate both routes from day one.
The bond hearing at the Krome Immigration Court
At the hearing, the judge decides two things: whether the person is a danger to the community and whether there is a risk they will not appear at their hearings. The burden of proof is on the detainee, so preparation is everything.
We prepare a bond package with the evidence Krome judges expect to see:
Family ties in the United States: a spouse, children or parents who are citizens or residents.
A stable address and a letter from the person who will receive them upon release.
Work history and tax payment history.
No criminal record, or a full explanation of any record with certified dispositions.
Eligibility for immigration relief: asylum, adjustment of status, the Cuban Adjustment Act, cancellation of removal. A strong underlying case lowers the flight risk in the judge's eyes.
Hearings are usually scheduled within days or a few weeks of the request. The sooner it is filed, the sooner a date is set.
How an ICE bond is paid
Once set, the bond is paid in full; ICE does not accept partial payments. The person paying (the "obligor") must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and present valid identification. There are two ways:
Direct payment to ICE: online through the CeBONDS system or in person at an ICE ERO office, by cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Homeland Security. If the person complies with everything, the money is returned when the case closes.
Immigration bond company: covers the amount in exchange for a premium and, usually, collateral. It is faster when the family does not have the full amount, but the premium is not refunded.
We help you decide which option makes sense given the amount and the family's situation.
If bond is denied: habeas corpus and appeal
A denial is not the end. There are two paths, and we often pursue both at once:
Habeas corpus in federal court: we ask a federal judge to review the legality of the detention. This is the main route when the immigration judge declines jurisdiction to set bond, or when detention drags on without a hearing.
Appeal to the BIA: of the immigration judge's bond decision.
We litigate habeas corpus and mandamus in federal courts nationwide, regardless of the state your family member has been transferred to.
Krome detention center: practical information
The Krome North Service Processing Center is at 18201 SW 12th St, Miami, FL 33194, on the far west side of Miami-Dade County. The Krome Immigration Court sits inside the facility, so bond hearings for detainees held there take place in that court.
Visiting hours and the rules for phone calls and money deposits change; check Krome's page on ice.gov before you go.
Attorneys can visit their clients and file the bond request without waiting for the first hearing.
ICE frequently transfers detainees to other states. Requesting bond as early as possible reduces that risk.
Why Miami families trust De Maio Law
A practice focused on deportation defense, bonds, asylum and federal litigation (habeas corpus and mandamus).
Direct attention from the attorney in English, Spanish and Italian.
Office in Coral Gables, about 30 minutes from Krome.
We prepare the bond hearing with the underlying case already in mind, so release is the first step and not the only one.
Frequently asked questions about immigration bonds
How much does an immigration bond cost in Miami?
The legal minimum is $1,500. In practice, the amounts set by Krome judges vary widely depending on criminal history, family ties and the strength of the underlying case, and are often several thousand dollars. A strong bond package usually brings the amount down.
How long until release after paying?
Once ICE processes the payment, release usually happens the same day or the next day, depending on the facility and the time the payment is confirmed.
Do I get the bond money back?
Yes, if the person attends every hearing and complies with any final order, including leaving the country if so ordered. The refund is requested from ICE when the case concludes and can take several months.
Can my family member be transferred out of Florida?
Yes. ICE transfers detainees based on facility capacity and often does so within the first few days. Hiring an attorney and requesting bond immediately helps keep the case in Miami.
Can I pay the bond if I do not have legal status?
The person paying ICE directly must have legal status, usually citizenship or permanent residence. If no one in the family does, a bond company can act as the obligor.
What if my family member has an I-220A and was detained?
Many people with an I-220A have been detained at ICE check-ins. It is still possible to request bond or file habeas corpus, and it is important to check right away whether the immigration court case is still active.
Talk to an immigration bond attorney in Miami today
Tell us where your family member is and what documents you have. On the first call we tell you whether bond is available, what we need for the hearing and what the next steps are.
De Maio Law PLLC · 301 Almeria Ave, Suite 330, Coral Gables, FL 33134 · English, Español, Italiano.
This page is general information and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; consult an attorney about your situation.
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