Venezuelan Walmart driver detained by ICE wins federal habeas case, granted $10K bond
Oct 2, 2026·Location: Bloomington, IN
Country of origin: Venezuela

César Cepeda Gomez (also referred to as Cesar Augusto Cepeda Gomez), a Venezuelan asylum seeker who delivered for Walmart in Bloomington, was detained by ICE agents in a Walmart parking lot alongside a coworker on September 1, 2026. Cepeda Gomez entered the U.S. legally through a CBP One appointment, held valid work authorization, and had an asylum hearing scheduled for October; he lives in Bloomington with his partner and her child. He was transported to the GEO Group-run North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Michigan, where he remained held for weeks. His attorney said he has been working, paying taxes, and has no criminal history. A federal court ruled ICE could not continue holding him without a chance to seek release, after which an immigration judge granted him a $10,000 bond, with Cepeda Gomez awaiting payment as of early October.
Timeline
Sources
- Two Bloomington men in ICE custody after Tuesday arrests
ipm.org·Sep 3, 2026·archived copy
- WFHB
- Immigration judge sets $10K bond for Bloomington man after federal habeas win
bsquarebulletin.com·Oct 2, 2026
- Donate to Support César Cepeda Gomez, organized by Lyndsi Thompson
GoFundMe·Sep 2, 2026·archived copy
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