Protecting Your Freedom While Your Immigration Case Moves Forward
When a loved one is detained by ICE, everything changes in an instant. You’re worried, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next. Our immigration team is here to guide you through the immigration bond process, so your family member has a chance to be released from detention while their case is pending.
What Is an Immigration Bond?
An immigration bond is a type of financial guarantee that allows a person detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be released from custody while their immigration case continues.
A bond is not the end of the case. It simply allows your loved one to:
- Get out of detention.
- Return home to their family.
- Work with an attorney more easily to prepare their defense.
The person’s immigration case (for example, removal/deportation defense, asylum, or other relief) will still need to be resolved in immigration court.
Who Qualifies for an Immigration Bond?
Not everyone in immigration detention is automatically eligible for a bond. Bond eligibility depends on several factors, including:
- Immigration and criminal history.
- How and when the person entered the United States.
- Whether they are considered a flight risk (likely to miss court).
- Whether the government considers them a danger to the community.
Some people may be subject to “mandatory detention,” which means they cannot receive a bond under the law. Others may be eligible to request a bond directly from ICE or ask an immigration judge to set or lower a bond amount.
How Immigration Bond Hearings Work
If ICE does not set a bond or sets a bond that is too high, your attorney can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. At this hearing, the judge will decide whether to:
- Grant a bond.
- Keep the person detained with no bond.
- Lower or raise the bond amount.
At a bond hearing, your attorney can present:
- Evidence of family ties in the U.S..
- Proof of work history and community involvement.
- Letters from employers, family, and community members.
- Any factors that show your loved one is not a danger and is likely to attend future court hearings. The stronger the evidence, the better the chances of obtaining a reasonable bond.
How Our Firm Helps in Immigration Bond Cases
Our immigration team understands the urgency and stress of detention. When you contact us about an immigration bond, we work quickly to:
- Review eligibility: Evaluate whether your loved one may qualify for a bond or bond hearing.
- Request a bond hearing: File the necessary motions and requests with the immigration court.
- Gather supporting evidence: Help you collect documents, letters of support, and proof of community ties.
- Prepare your loved one: Explain what to expect at the bond hearing and how to answer the judge’s questions.
- Advise on paying the bond: Guide you through the process of posting the bond so your loved one can be released as soon as possible.
Our goal is to help your family member come home while we continue fighting their immigration case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Bonds
How is the bond amount decided?
The bond amount is usually set based on the person’s immigration history, criminal record (if any), community ties, and risk of not appearing in court. Judges and ICE officers have discretion, but your attorney can argue for a lower, more reasonable amount.
Who can pay the immigration bond?
Generally, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident can pay the bond. The person who pays is called the “obligor.” Once the case is over and all conditions are met, the bond money may be returned to the obligor, subject to government procedures and any applicable conditions.
How long does it take for someone to be released after the bond is paid?
Release times can vary, but once the bond is properly posted, the detained person is typically released from the detention facility within a short period of time, depending on location and processing delays.
If my loved one gets a bond, does the case go away?
No. The bond only allows the person to be released from detention. Their immigration case continues, and they must attend all hearings and comply with all court requirements.
What happens if the person misses a court hearing?
Missing a court hearing can result in an order of removal (deportation) in absentia and may cause the immigration bond to be forfeited. It is critical to keep all addresses updated and never miss a scheduled hearing.
Don’t Face the Immigration Bond Process Alone
If your loved one is in immigration detention, time matters. The sooner you speak with an experienced immigration attorney, the sooner we can evaluate bond options and start working toward their release.
Contact us today 678-503-2780 to schedule a consultation
We’re here to support you and your family through every step of the immigration bond and court process.
