Detention Defense

Detained anywhere? Representation doesn't stop at state lines.

Immigration court is federal. Wherever ICE is holding you or someone you love in the United States, this firm can step in — find the facility below, understand the first steps, and start the conversation.

Start a Detention Case
Find the facility. Start the case.
Search or select an ICE detention facility to see where it is and how representation works — wherever in the country it is.

How representation works when you're detained out of state

"Nationwide" isn't a slogan — it's how immigration law is built. Three things make it possible to represent someone held far from Miami.

Immigration practice is federal

Under federal regulations, an attorney in good standing in any U.S. state — registered with the immigration courts (EOIR) — may represent people before the immigration courts and USCIS anywhere in the country. (8 C.F.R. §§ 1001.1(f), 1292.1.)

Hearings are often by video

Immigration courts regularly hold detained hearings by video, and facilities allow attorneys to appear and meet by video visitation — so counsel need not always be physically at the facility.

Federal courts, where it counts

When detention is unlawful or unreasonably prolonged, a habeas corpus petition can be filed in federal court — generally in the district where the person is held. Whether it fits depends on the facts.

If a loved one was just detained — the first steps

01

Locate them

Use ICE's Online Detainee Locator — search by A-number, or full name + date of birth + country of birth.

02

Don't sign anything

Signing certain forms can waive rights or speed removal. Get advice before anyone signs.

03

Gather documents

ID, any immigration paperwork, the A-number, and proof of ties — address, family, work, time in the U.S.

04

Speak with counsel

Whether bond or relief may be available depends on the specific facts. Earlier is better.

Common questions

How do I find someone who has been detained by ICE?

Use ICE's Online Detainee Locator System at locator.ice.gov. Search by the person's A-number, or by full name plus date of birth and country of birth.

Can a Florida attorney represent someone detained in another state?

Yes. Immigration practice is federal. An attorney in good standing in any U.S. state, registered with the immigration courts (EOIR), can represent people before the immigration courts and USCIS nationwide — and detained hearings are often held by video.

Can a detained person be released on bond?

Sometimes. A person detained under the general detention statute may ask an immigration judge for a bond redetermination if they are eligible; the statutory minimum bond is $1,500. Certain criminal categories require mandatory detention, and bond eligibility for people who entered without inspection is being actively litigated in 2025–2026. Whether bond is available depends on the specific facts of the case.

What should I do first if a loved one is detained?

Locate them on the ICE detainee locator, make sure no one signs documents without advice, gather identification, immigration paperwork, the A-number, and proof of ties, and speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible.

Do you handle habeas corpus?

When immigration detention is unlawful or unreasonably prolonged, a habeas corpus petition can be filed in federal court — generally in the district where the person is held. Whether it fits a particular case depends on the facts.

Start a detention case

Tell us where the person is held and how to reach you. The more you can share, the faster the firm can act. This is a request for a paid consultation — it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the information is not treated as confidential until an engagement is confirmed in writing. Please don't include sensitive details in this message.

Who you'd be working with

Felipe Montoya, Esq. — founder of Montoya Law Group, P.A., a Miami immigration practice. Member of The Florida Bar (good standing); J.D., Penn State Dickinson School of Law; practice before the immigration courts (EOIR) and USCIS; fluent in English and Spanish. The approach is facts first, strategy second, preparation always.

Speak with the Attorney

The facility list is drawn from ICE's official detention-facilities list (captured June 2026); facility names and locations are ICE's, and map positions are approximate (city-level) for orientation only. This page is general legal information and attorney advertising, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. No outcome is promised; every case depends on its own facts. Detention and bond law is changing rapidly in 2025–2026.