A Guide to Choosing the Right Immigration Bond

As of May 13, 2021, there are 19,041 people in immigration detention. Of those 72.8%, or 13,865, have no criminal record.

There is a difference between a criminal bond and an immigration bond. Immigration bonds only apply to green card holders or non-U.S. citizens. The amount is set by ICE or an immigration judge to guarantee the detainee's appearance for hearings.

If you are interested in learning about the immigration bond process, read on for all the information you need.

Immigration Bond Types

There are four types of immigration bonds that your loved one may be granted, as set forth by the Department of Homeland Security:

An alien must periodically check in with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) if they have an Order of Supervision Bond

With a Delivery Bond, the terms require the alien to appear in court for their immigration hearings. If they fail to appear for a hearing they forfeit the bond amount.

The alien’s voluntary departure from the United States is the condition set forth in a Voluntary Departure Bond. With this type of bond, they receive a date when they may no longer be in the country. If they fail to leave by that date the entire amount of the bond is forfeited.

Ensuring that the alien does not become dependent on public assistance is the purpose of a Public Safety Bond.

Immigration bond payments must come from either a citizen of the U.S. or a permanent resident. Payment is made in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. You may not use credit cards, personal checks, or cash.

As of April 2019, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were holding $204 million in immigration bond money. Once the case is complete the person posting the bond will receive an immigration bond refund.

How to Pay an Immigration Bond

Determination of your eligibility for an immigration bond will be through an ICE immigration officer or during an immigration bond hearing. Once the bond is set any person legally within the United States may become a bond sponsor. You need to schedule an appointment with your local ICE office for payment of the detainee’s bond.

The best way to pay the bond is by obtaining a cashier’s check payable to the “Department of Homeland Security. You will need your original social security card and valid photo identification.

Once the bond is paid the ICE officer will notify the detention facility that the alien has release clearance. This process takes about one hour. You may then go to the detention facility and pick up the detainee.

The amount of the bond will depend on the immigration status of the person, their employment, family ties in the United States, and criminal history. Bonds range from as low as $500 up to $10,000 or more.

If you do not have the funds to pay your friend or family member’s bond, an immigration bond agent is the best way to go. They will usually charge between 15-20% of the total bond amount to front the money for the detainee's release.

The funds you pay to the bond agent are not refundable. You are paying them for the service of bonding someone out because you do not have the money on hand to do so.

Immigration Bond Services Can Help

If you or a family member is being detained by immigration, don’t despair if the immigration bond is out of your financial reach. Action Immigration Bonds provides the professional help you need 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

Call us at 800-940-8889 and we will collect some information about your case. Within a few hours, you will be picking your loved one up from the detention center.