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Venezuelan Walmart driver detained by ICE wins federal habeas case, granted $10K bond

Oct 2, 2026·Location: Bloomington, IN

Country of origin: Venezuela

Venezuelan Walmart driver detained by ICE wins federal habeas case, granted $10K bond
Photo via ipm.org

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

Oct 2, 2026—Federal court ruled ICE could not keep holding him without a release hearing; immigration judge set $10,000 bond
Sep 1, 2026—Detained by ICE agents in a Walmart parking lot in Bloomington alongside a coworker
Sep 1, 2026—Transported to GEO Group-run North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin, Michigan
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