Immigration laws and immigration bonds can be pretty hard to understand if you don’t have experience navigating the U.S. justice system. Nevertheless, if ICE arrests or detains you due to your immigration status, you will need to acquire an immigration bond. An immigration bond ensures your release from a detention facility until your court date. In this post, we’ll briefly explain what immigration bonds are and how you can obtain one.
What Is an Immigration Bond?
As an immigrant to America, you may face involuntary detention if you’re found to be living in the U.S. without the proper papers. Depending on the severity of the charges, you may even face deportation. Either way, you will have a chance to appear in court and plead your case. The immigration judge will then decide between jail and deportation. Or you may be released if your detainment was found to be unjust.
If the judge opts for the first option, the defendant will have an opportunity to post an immigration bond. But to post this bond, you’ll likely need to enlist the help of an immigration bondsman. This surety is similar to a bail bond. It will secure the defendant’s release from custody by guaranteeing that they will meet immigration bond conditions.
Two federal agencies oversee immigration-related issues. They are the “United States Department of Homeland Security” (DHS) and the “Immigration and Customs Enforcement” (ICE). If a person goes into immigration custody, they will qualify for an immigration bond if they are:
- Not a “flight risk”;
- Harmless to the community;
- Not facing a charge for a serious crime;
- Without an existing deportation order.
How to Obtain an Immigration Bond?
There are two different ways you can get out of immigration detention. Of course, that is if the authorities approve the detained person for bond release.
First, you can secure an immigration security bond at ABC Bail Bonds. Our bail bondsmen, are experienced with immigration bonds and can help get your loved one released quickly. We also prioritize customer care and will help guide you the process.
The second option is to pay ICE or DHS directly. If you select this option you will need to pay the full amount upfront with cash or a check.
Before securing an immigration bond, you will need:
- The full legal name of the detainee
- Their “A-number”
- Location of the jail or detention facility (including city and state)
- Bond amount
- The detainee’s birth date
Does an Immigration Surety Bond Require Collateral?
In short, immigration surety bonds require collateral. There are, however, only four types of collateral that are accepted. They include real property anywhere in the United States, a credit card, cash, and also a letter of credit from a bank. Unfortunately, you can’t use automobiles as collateral for an immigration surety bond.
Depending on several factors, the judge will set the bond amount. Yet, some factors pertaining to the individual can lower the immigration bond amount. Some of them include no criminal history, steady employment, and family members in the United States. The cost of this type of bond is usually 15% of the total bond amount. Should the detainee arrive at every court appearance on time, their money will be returned. However, if you opt to utilize a bond service the service fee you pay will not be returned. Fortunately, this is regardless of the judge’s final ruling.
Contact ABC Bail Bonds
If your family member or someone you care for is in detention, you can contact ABC Bail Bonds. With our help, we’ll get your loved one out of immigration detention as soon as possible. You can email or phone us any day of the week. So, don’t waste time — get an immigration bond fast with Houston Bail Bonds.
