Understanding Immigration Bonds: How Many Bond Hearings Can You Have?

Data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows that there were nearly 40,000 immigrants in ICE detention as of February 25, 2024. Over 67% of those immigrants have no criminal record, likely making them eligible for an immigration bond.

An ICE detainee can pay an immigration bond to be released from custody while awaiting trial. For the court to grant a detainee bond, they must attend a bond hearing.

Yet, how many bond hearings can you have? Read on to find out.

What Is an Immigration Bond?

An immigration bond is a financial guarantee between the government and an immigrant in custody, like a contract.

It ensures the immigrant's appearance at all future immigration proceedings. If the detainee doesn't appear at their hearings or fails to comply with immigration laws, they will face deportation and not receive the bond funds back.

This legal mechanism allows ICE detainees to be released from custody while their case progresses through the system. They can spend time with loved ones, consult an immigration lawyer, and prepare for the hearing.

There are two types of immigration bonds: delivery and voluntary departure.

Delivery bonds are available to ICE detainees who want to await their trial outside of custody. Conversely, ICE grants voluntary departure bonds to those who will voluntarily leave the country by a specific date. When they leave, they will receive their bond funds back.

Immigration Bond Requirements and Eligibility

To be eligible for an immigration bond, essential factors the court considers include:

• Criminal history
• Flight risk
• Immigration status
• Ties to the community

Obtaining a Bond

Detainees can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. The judge will consider the factors and determine if the detainee is eligible for bond. If so, the judge will set the amount, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

If the judge grants a bond, the detainee must pay it in full before the release.

How Many Bond Hearings Can You Have? 

All detainees receive only one bond hearing. If the judge denies the bond, you must stay in detention until your deportation case finishes. Unless your case significantly changes, you will not get another hearing after a denial.

Significant changes include the court dropping criminal charges or overturning a conviction.

How to Pay Bond

There are several ways to pay an immigration bond. Primarily, an immigration bond sponsor can schedule an appointment with a local immigration bonds office or make a payment to the local ICE office.

You can pay the bond out of pocket using a cashier's check or call an immigration bonds service company to handle the payment.

Once ICE receives the bond payment, they will release the detainee. Most people are released in the afternoon or early evening the day the bond is posted.

Hire an Immigration Lawyer for Your Bond Hearing

When you learn that the answer to the question, "How many bond hearings can you have?" is just one, getting help with your bond hearing is essential to ensure the judge grants it to you.

ACTION Immigration Bonds has a team of talented professionals that provide the highest quality of expertise in immigration bail bonds. 

Contact us today for your free consultation. Our multilingual staff is available 24/7 to guide you through the immigration bond process.