(MILLSBORO, DELAWARE) A Millsboro father identified by relatives as José was taken into ICE detention after a routine check‑in, and he now waits for an immigration court hearing that has not yet been scheduled. Family members say he went to his appointment as instructed but was detained over missing documents tied to his 2022 entry to the United States, a problem flagged by officers during the visit. His case reflects rising enforcement in rural Sussex County and new risks facing people who appear in court without a lawyer.
Detention at a routine check‑in
ICE detained José at a scheduled appointment, a practice community advocates say has become more common in Delaware and nearby regions in 2025. Officials cited missing entry paperwork, according to relatives familiar with his file.
That kind of flag can trigger custody if officers believe a person is out of status or has unresolved removal proceedings. While check‑ins are meant to confirm address, work, and compliance with reporting rules, they can also lead to arrest when records raise concerns.
After detention, people typically remain in ICE custody until an immigration judge sets the next step in their case. The pace is slow. As of March 2025, the national immigration court backlog passed 3.6 million pending cases, stretching hearings months or even years. Delaware families report long wait times and little clarity on when a hearing might be held.
For those in custody, delays are harder: every extra week behind bars separates parents from children, jobs, and medical care.
In May 2025, ICE began a coordinated effort in some courts to detain noncitizens during or around immigration court appearances. In certain situations, government lawyers seek to dismiss a person’s case and move to immediate custody for removal processing.
People without lawyers—known as pro se respondents—face special risk. They may agree to actions that seem helpful, like dismissal of a slow case, without knowing it could open the door to fast‑track removal with few defenses left.
Key point: Check‑ins meant to monitor compliance can become enforcement opportunities when records or paperwork are flagged.
Backlogged courts and bond hurdles
Immigration court is a civil system. There’s no right to a government‑paid lawyer, and people must find their own counsel or proceed alone. In March 2025, just 21.6% of immigrants had legal counsel when removal orders were issued, showing how many face judges by themselves.
For a detained parent in Millsboro, that gap can decide everything. A lawyer can:
- Ask for bond
- Challenge charges
- Seek relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status
- Ensure records and deadlines are handled correctly
Bond is not automatic. Through March of fiscal year 2025, immigration judges held 19,099 bond hearings and granted bond in 5,190 cases. Even when granted, bond can be set far above a family’s ability to pay.
If bond is denied, a person can remain detained until the case ends. Families in Sussex County describe having to choose between rent and bond, or between paying for a lawyer and posting bond. Some go deeper into debt; others give up appeals to reunite sooner, risking permanent separation from the United States.
The change in enforcement pressure is visible in and around Millsboro. ICE administrative arrests of undocumented immigrants in rural Delaware have risen by nearly 115% in 2025 compared to last year, according to community trackers. People report:
- Driving less and avoiding travel
- Skipping medical visits
- Avoiding places they once felt safe
Schools, businesses, and faith communities feel the effects:
- School counselors say children miss class after a parent is detained.
- Small businesses lose workers overnight.
- Churches arrange rides so families can get to work without crossing checkpoints alone.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of a historic court backlog, tighter custody practices, and evolving courtroom tactics means preparation is now the single strongest protection. That includes keeping proof of address and identity ready, saving legal records in one folder, and bringing a lawyer or accredited representative to court whenever possible.
If a government lawyer asks to dismiss a case, a defense attorney can explain whether that helps or harms long‑term status—and how it may interact with any past orders or pending applications.
Practical steps families can take now
- Check case status and hearing details through the EOIR Automated Case Information system. The portal is available at the U.S. Department of Justice site: EOIR Case Information.
- Seek legal help immediately. Ask about bond, defenses to removal, and any relief tied to family, work, or humanitarian grounds.
- Keep copies of all documents: entry records, prior orders, court receipts, address change notices, and any filings. Store a set with a trusted friend in case of sudden detention.
- Prepare a family plan: list emergency contacts, school pickup authorizations, and medical needs. Keep passports and birth certificates in a safe but accessible place.
- If detained, gather documents for a bond packet: letters from employers, proof of community ties, church or school letters, lease, utility bills, and medical records. Judges often look for strong roots, steady work, and no safety risks.
For reference, here is a concise checklist families can use:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Entry records & prior orders | Show immigration history and potential relief eligibility |
| Proof of address (leases, bills) | Demonstrate community ties |
| Employer letters/pay stubs | Evidence of steady work |
| School/church letters | Support strong community connections |
| Medical records | Show health needs and care continuity |
| Copies stored offsite | Accessible if primary documents are seized |
People like José often ask what to expect after an arrest at a check‑in. Typical steps include:
- ICE transports the person to a detention center for intake.
- ICE coordinates with the immigration court and a notice of hearing is issued or updated.
- The detained person can request a bond hearing.
- A lawyer (if present) can move for release, ask for a lower bond, or seek parole, depending on the facts.
Success depends on records, risk factors, and what relief the person may qualify for under the law.
Community impacts and coping strategies
Community effects are less visible but deep. In Millsboro:
- Parents carpool at dawn to avoid driving alone.
- Small stores open late when staff don’t show up.
- Pastors and teachers remind families to keep proof of identity close and to answer court mail quickly.
- Local clinics report patients rescheduling care until they feel safe traveling again.
These shifts ripple across farms, kitchens, and construction sites that power the local economy.
For now, José’s family waits. They check the immigration court system for updates and gather letters for a possible bond hearing. They also weigh the cost of hiring a lawyer against rent and groceries.
“We just want him home,” a cousin said, declining to share more out of fear.
Their choices mirror those of many Sussex County families who are trying to keep work steady, kids in school, and court deadlines met—while the rules change around them.
Final recommendations and urgent warnings
- Act fast if a loved one is detained after a check‑in: track the case through the official EOIR portal above, contact a trusted attorney or legal aid, and build a clear plan for bond and defense.
- Important: Policy shifts in May 2025 mean that steps taken in immigration court can have quick and unexpected results for those without counsel.
- In a year when detention numbers are up and hearings are backlogged, early, steady preparation can make the difference between months in custody and a path to stay with your family.
This Article in a Nutshell
José, a Millsboro resident, was taken into ICE custody during a routine check‑in after officers flagged missing entry paperwork tied to his 2022 arrival. He remains detained while awaiting an immigration court hearing that has not been scheduled. The case illustrates growing enforcement in rural Sussex County, where ICE administrative arrests rose nearly 115% in 2025. Nationally, the immigration court backlog surpassed 3.6 million cases by March 2025, causing long delays; only 21.6% of immigrants had counsel when removal orders were issued. Bond hearings can grant release but are limited: through March FY2025, judges held 19,099 bond hearings and granted 5,190 bonds. Advocates recommend immediate legal assistance, keeping organized documents, checking EOIR case status, and preparing bond packets to improve chances of release and defense.
