Get in touch with Cedillo Law Firm, PLLC to speak with experienced criminal defense, immigration, or personal injury attorneys. Offices in Sugar Land and The Woodlands. Se habla español. Home About Our Attorneys Results Media Room Contact Us CEDILLO LAW FIRM OFFICE LOCATIONS Sugar Land Office 101 Southwestern Blvd., Ste 104 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 T. 281.277.0098 F. 346.239.1822 The Woodlands Office 719 Sawdust Rd., Ste. 100 The Woodlands, Texas 77380 T. 281.323.4345 F. 346.239.1822 Top of Page Contact Contact Our Attorneys First name* Last name Email* Phone Write a message Inquiry Type Submit Immigration Personal Injury Criminal Defense

Cedillo Law Firm, PLLC is a Texas-based team of passionate trial lawyers dedicated to justice in criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury. Learn our mission and why we fight. Home About Our Attorneys Results Media Room Contact Us Immigration Bonds Deportation Defense Adjustment of Status Marriage Petitions Crimmigration Motions to Reopen IMMIGRATION BONDS An immigration bond allows a detained individual to be released from ICE custody while their immigration case proceeds in court. Unlike criminal bonds, immigration bonds are controlled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the immigration courts, and the rules are extremely different — and rapidly changing. Bonds are not automatic. In most cases, your loved one must win a bond hearing before an immigration judge. At that hearing, the burden is on us to prove two things: The person is not a danger to the community, and The person is not a flight risk and will appear at future hearings. This requires evidence , planning , and experienced representation — because ICE will argue the opposite. CEDILLO LAW FIRM When a loved one is detained by ICE, time becomes everything. An ICE detention is one of the most frightening experiences a family can face. In an instant, a routine traffic stop, a background check, or an encounter with local law enforcement can result in your loved one being transferred into federal custody — often without clear information, without a timeline, and without the chance to come home. At Cedillo Law Firm, we fight to bring families back together. Our team handles bond hearings, mandatory detention challenges, ICE detainers, custody reviews, and Federal habeas litigation when the government wrongfully claims that a person should not be released. What Is an Immigration Bond? How We Win Immigration Bond Hearings Bond hearings are fast, contested, and evidence-driven. Our approach includes: Preparing the detained client for testimony Submitting supporting documents (ID, proof of residence, employment records, tax records, church/community letters, affidavits) Bringing in family witnesses when appropriate Challenging ICE’s allegations point-by-point Demonstrating community ties, hardship, and rehabilitation Addressing any criminal history with accurate legal analysis Showing compliance with prior court obligations Presenting a release plan that satisfies the judge Bond success is about showing the whole person , not just the government’s allegation sheet. When DHS Said “No Bond,” We Took the Case to Federal Court and we Won Recently, the government — and even the Board of Immigration Appeals — claimed that one of our clients was mandatorily detained, meaning the immigration judge supposedly had no power to set a bond at all. Our client had entered without inspection and was being treated as someone Congress had “locked out” of bond eligibility. We refused to accept this. We filed a federal habeas petition in U.S. District Court challenging the government’s interpretation of the detention statute. The federal judge agreed with us and issued an order requiring the immigration judge to conduct a bond hearing by a deadline, or release the client altogether. This victory is life-changing for our client and family — and it shows the lengths we will go when DHS misapplies the law. When immigration judges say their hands are tied, we know how to take the fight into federal court. Bond Law Is Changing — Fast Immigration bond law is currently in a period of rapid, unpredictable change: The BIA has recently issued rulings that severely restrict bond eligibility. DHS is aggressively arguing for mandatory detention in more categories. Immigration judges are increasingly hesitant to grant bond without exceptionally strong evidence. Rules and policies are shifting under the current administration — sometimes every few weeks. This means that a bond case today is not the same as a bond case last month. And a bond case next month may look different again. At Cedillo Law Firm, we stay ahead of the changes by tracking every BIA decision, every federal case, and every policy shift. When necessary, we take cases into federal court to protect our clients’ rights. IMMIGRATION BOND FAQ — What Families Need to Know How do you get an immigration bond? Your loved one must normally have a bond hearing before an immigration judge. At that hearing, we present evidence showing: They are not a danger They are not a flight risk They have strong ties in the community They will appear for every future hearing The judge then decides whether to grant a bond and, if so, the amount. How much does an immigration bond cost? Most bonds fall between $5,000 and $20,000 — though the law allows for much higher amounts. The bond can be: Paid in cash, directly to ICE (returned at the end of the case if the person appears), OR Paid through a specialized federal immigration bondsman, who typically requires a percentage of the amount plus collateral. We guide families through both options and connect them with trusted, reputable federal bondsmen. Can every detained person get a bond? No. Some individuals are considered “mandatory detention” under immigration law. BUT — ICE and immigration judges frequently get this wrong. We evaluate: The criminal charge The offense level Date of conviction Whether the charge is actually a deportable offense Whether the statute matches the federal immigration definition Whether the detention statute even applies If DHS is wrong, we challenge it — and we have taken mandatory-detention cases to federal court and won . Is an immigration bond the same as a criminal bond? No. Immigration bonds follow federal rules, not Texas rules, and ICE can detain someone even if the criminal case is dismissed. Criminal court determines guilt. Immigration court determines removability. Bond hearings sit in their own category. If the bond is approved, how fast can my loved one be released? It depends on the detention facility, the processing schedule, and whether the bond is paid in cash or through a bondsman. Many clients are released within 24–72 hours after payment. Is it worth hiring an attorney for a bond hearing? Absolutely. Bond hearings are one of the most important moments in an immigration case, and they often decide: Whether a client fights their case from home or from detention Whether they can gather evidence Whether they can consult freely with counsel Whether they can continue to support their family Whether they can pursue relief like 42A, 42B, or adjustment Winning bond is often the turning point that determines the outcome of the entire case. Contact Cedillo Law Firm for Immigration Bond Help If your loved one is in jail with an ICE hold, we take immediate action : Contact ICE Review bond eligibility Request an immigration bond hearing Challenge mandatory detention Coordinate between criminal court and immigration court Fight to get the client released We have secured numerous ICE bond victories that allowed clients to reunite with their families and continue fighting their cases from outside detention. Ready to Discuss Your Case? Call us in Sugar Land Call us in The Woodlands Criminal Defense Immigration Personal Injury

Cedillo Law Firm, PLLC is a Texas-based team of passionate trial lawyers dedicated to justice in criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury. Learn our mission and why we fight. Home About Our Attorneys Results Media Room Contact Us Immigration Bonds Deportation Defense Adjustment of Status Marriage Petitions Crimmigration Motions to Reopen MOTIONS TO REOPEN (MTR) CEDILLO LAW FIRM A Motion to Reopen asks the Immigration Judge or BIA to reopen a closed case to consider new facts or evidence that could change the outcome. This is different from a Motion to Reconsider (legal error); Reopen focuses on new evidence , changed circumstances , or lack of proper notice . Common grounds include: Lack of proper notice (wrong address, minor child never properly served, defective notice, etc.) Changed country conditions supporting asylum, withholding, or CAT New eligibility for relief, such as marriage to a U.S. citizen, approved I-130, or new hardship evidence Ineffective assistance of prior counsel (also known as a Lozada claim) Extraordinary circumstances that prevented attendance or filing New documents that were not available at the time of the original hearing A successful MTR does more than reopen a case—it restores hope. What is a Motion to Reopen? When the immigration system closes a case, it doesn’t always end the story. A denied asylum claim, an in-absentia removal order, a closed marriage-based petition, or an old voluntary departure order can often be revisited, corrected, or re-litigated —if the right legal strategy is used. That strategy begins with a Motion to Reopen. At Cedillo Law Firm, our immigration attorneys represent clients throughout Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and all of Texas in complex motion practice before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and in certain cases, USCIS. Motions to Reopen are technical, deadline-driven, and evidence-heavy, and they demand attorneys who understand the full procedural landscape. That is exactly where we excel. Our Approach: Building a Winning Motion to Reopen Cedillo Law Firm’s immigration team handles MTRs every week. We know what each jurisdiction, immigration judge (IJ), and BIA panel expects, and we tailor our filings to meet those expectations. 1. Detailed Case Audit & Strategy Session We begin by performing a line-by-line review of your entire immigration history: Past applications Notices served Hearing recordings and transcripts Prior attorney performance Criminal or border encounters Country conditions at the time of the original ruling This audit allows us to identify every viable reopening pathway, even when the case looks impossible on paper. 2. Evidence Development & Story Reconstruction Winning motions require more than a legal argument—they require documentation and narrative clarity. We assist with gathering and drafting: Affidavits Medical, psychological, or hardship evidence Expert declarations Country condition evidence Proof of lack of notice Marriage or family-based evidence New eligibility evidence (I-130, I-212, I-601, etc.) We present these materials in a compelling, professionally organized packet that immigration courts respect. 3. Lozada-Compliant Ineffective Assistance Claims Many cases are reopened because prior attorneys made serious mistakes. We regularly prepare Lozada-compliant filings, ensuring: Ethical notice to prior counsel Detailed affidavit outlining the errors Proof of resulting prejudice Documentation supporting the client’s testimony This area requires precision. We do not cut corners. 4. Strategic Filing With the Court or BIA We file with the correct venue, select the strongest avenue for reopening, and present the case in a way that maximizes deliverability: EOIR Motions Portal for Immigration Court cases ECAS for BIA filings Accompanying fee waivers or fee payments Proper service and certification Every page meets technical requirements, reducing delays and RFEs. 5. Follow-Through and Advocacy Once filed, we: Track the docket Respond to court requests Communicate with DHS counsel when necessary Prepare for the reopened proceedings (bond hearing, merits hearing, or adjustment filing) Our clients never feel “lost in the system.” Why Clients Across Houston, Sugar Land & The Woodlands Trust Us With MTRs Cedillo Law Firm has built a reputation for advanced motion practice—the type of work that requires deep immigration knowledge, courtroom experience, and the ability to rehabilitate even the most complex histories. Clients and referring attorneys rely on us because: Experience With Tough Cases We handle MTRs involving: In-absentia deportation orders Old removal orders from the 1990s and early 2000s Clients who entered as minors and never received proper notice Failed asylum claims Prior denials from the Houston, Conroe, or Pearland courts Mixed criminal/immigration histories (crimmigration) Courtroom and Litigation Strength Our firm is known throughout Houston, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands for being trial-ready, motion-ready, and appeal-ready. Immigration Judges know our filings are clean, ethical, and legally sound. Meticulous Packet Preparation Our motions are not thrown together. They are attorney-reviewed, exhibit-indexed, paginated, and supported with clear argumentation that reflects the seriousness of your case. Compassion + Precision We understand what reopening a case means. For many clients, this is the difference between Deportation and relief Family separation and reunification Uncertainty and lawful status We treat every motion like the life-changing opportunity it is. Every page matters because every family matters. Motions to Reopen at the BIA BIA motions have stricter standards and shorter deadlines. We handle: 30-day post-decision motions Sua sponte reopening requests Late filings supported by equitable tolling Renewed asylum claims based on new threats Reopening for new I-130 or hardship evidence We tailor every BIA filing to the precedents and procedural posture of that specific case. Equitable Tolling & Sua Sponte Reopening Even when the filing deadline has passed, we assess whether: Your case qualifies for equitable tolling (extraordinary circumstances + due diligence) The IJ or BIA should reopen sua sponte, in the interests of justice or based on fundamental fairness These arguments require sophisticated briefing and a strong command of immigration precedent. Our team prepares these with the detail and professionalism required for success. Ready to Reopen Your Immigration Case? A Motion to Reopen may be the lifeline your case needs. Whether you are in Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Richmond, Rosenberg, Katy, or anywhere in Texas, Cedillo Law Firm is ready to evaluate your history, build your evidence, and fight to reopen your case. Cedillo Law Firm – Immigration Attorneys 📍 Sugar Land | 📍 The Woodlands 📞 281-277-0098 | 281-323-4345 When immigration doors close, we know how to open them again. Ready to Discuss Your Case? Call us in Sugar Land Call us in The Woodlands Criminal Defense Immigration Personal Injury

Cedillo Law Firm, PLLC is a Texas-based team of passionate trial lawyers dedicated to justice in criminal defense, immigration, and personal injury. Learn our mission and why we fight. Home About Our Attorneys Results Media Room Contact Us DWI ASSAULT / FAMILY VIOLENCE THEFT DRUG CHARGES CRIMMIGRATION SERIOUS FELONIES ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE CASES Texas law uses a very broad definition of “family violence.” A person can be charged even if no one was seriously injured, the incident involved mutual argument or pushing, or the complainant does not want to prosecute. Officers are required to make arrests in many situations, even when both people insist that nothing criminal occurred. Once the charge is filed, the case belongs to the State — not the complaining witness — and the process can move forward even without that person’s cooperation. CEDILLO LAW FIRM Family violence allegations move fast and carry consequences long after the court case ends. Whether the incident happened in Harris County, Fort Bend County, or Montgomery County, a family violence charge puts your freedom, your gun rights, your immigration status, and your future at risk. At Cedillo Law Firm, we defend these cases from our offices in Sugar Land and The Woodlands, using a careful, strategic approach to protect every part of your life. What Counts as 'Family Violence' in Texas? Firearm Consequences After a Family Violence Case One of the most permanent consequences of a family violence conviction is the impact on your firearm rights. Under federal law, even a Class A misdemeanor family violence conviction results in a lifetime prohibition on owning or possessing a firearm. There is no federal procedure to restore this right once the finding is entered. Texas law also imposes its own firearm restrictions for a period following certain sentences. These consequences apply even when the case involved a minor allegation or resulted in a plea deal that avoided jail. Protecting your Second Amendment rights requires preventing any family violence finding from being entered in the first place. Immigration Risks — Even With Deferred Adjudication Family violence charges create extremely serious immigration issues . Even if the case results in deferred adjudication — which is not considered a conviction under Texas law, but IS a conviction under Federal law — immigration authorities may still treat it as a “crime of domestic violence” or as a crime involving moral turpitude. This can lead to detention, deportation, denial of residency, denial of naturalization, or the loss of work authorization. Many people mistakenly believe that a deferred plea or “no jail” agreement is safe. For non-citizens, a family violence allegation must be handled with precise coordination between criminal and immigration counsel to avoid life-altering consequences. Enhancements, Felony Exposure, and Protective Order Violations Texas law allows certain family violence allegations to escalate quickly. A second family violence charge — even one that occurs years later — can be enhanced to a felony. Allegations involving impeding breath (strangulation) are charged as felonies on a first offense. Violating a magistrate’s order, protective order, or bond condition can create new charges and significantly increase the difficulty of resolving the case. These complications are common in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery County courts, and require a defense team who understands how these enhancements are applied and how to prevent a misdemeanor from becoming a felony. Affidavits of Non-Prosecution Many cases involve a complainant who wants the charges dismissed. An Affidavit of Non-Prosecution can be helpful, but it does not compel the prosecutor to drop the case. Domestic violence prosecutors often proceed even when both parties want to move forward peacefully. The affidavit is simply one part of a comprehensive defense strategy. We can help clients obtain, present, and use these affidavits effectively — without relying on them as the only defense. Expunctions, Non-Disclosures and 'Poison Pill' Cases Family violence cases involve some of the strictest record-clearing rules in Texas. Even when a case is dismissed, these matters often require longer wait times before expunction eligibility and more complex procedures due to protective orders, no-contact conditions, or prior findings. Most importantly, any family-violence finding — whether on a conviction or a deferred adjudication — permanently bars non-disclosure. These cases are often referred to as “poison pill” cases because, once the finding is entered, the record can never be sealed . This includes convictions, deferred adjudications with a family violence finding, and certain related offenses such as violation of protective order or assault by impeding breath. Preventing that finding is one of the most critical parts of our defense strategy. Contact us today to analyze your current or past cases with expunctions and/or non-disclosures (record sealing) in mind. Serving Harris, Ft. Bend, Montgomery Counties and Beyond Cedillo Law Firm represents clients in Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Richmond, Missouri City, Conroe, and all surrounding areas. Each county handles family violence allegations differently, and our team is experienced with the judges, prosecutors, and procedures in each system. We tailor your defense to the exact court your case is in to achieve the strongest possible result . Why Choose Cedillo Law Firm? Family violence charges involve criminal law, immigration issues, firearm laws, protective orders, and long-term consequences that most people never anticipate. Our team focuses on dismissals, reductions, avoided findings, and long-term protection of your rights and reputation. With offices in Sugar Land and The Woodlands, we are positioned and ready to defend clients across the region with the urgency these cases demand. Ready to Discuss Your Case? Call us in Sugar Land Call us in The Woodlands Criminal Defense Immigration Personal Injury