(Newswire.net — April 3, 2020) — Listen to enough news reports, and you’re bound to hear about the number of detainees held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It seems like nearly every city has experienced a raid resulting in large numbers of detentions and even deportations.
What do you do when ICE hits close to home?
If you have a friend or loved one in ICE custody and you’d like to help, you’ll need to know the basics about immigration bonds.
While posting a bond isn’t complicated, there is a process. If it’s not followed precisely, your loved one could remain in custody until you comply with the rules. Read today’s post for help figuring out the bond system.
How Do Immigration Bonds Work?
Unless a person doesn’t qualify for release, they go in front of the judge for a bond hearing. Judges don’t always grant freedom even if the person is eligible. If your friend is one of the lucky ones, they’ll need help arranging for the immigration bond payment.
You may only need to come up with $1500 since that’s the minimum bond amount. The judge has the discretion to increase the bond up to $10,000 or more.
When the bond is higher than what you can cover, you have the option of working with a bonding company that specializes in helping people get immigration bond. You will need to come up with a percentage of the bond, but the bonding company will pay the rest.
Who Can Pay the Bond?
Would it surprise you to find out that not just anybody can pay immigration bonds? Only qualified individuals can pay to get someone out of ICE custody.
The most critical qualifier is citizenship. You must be in the United States legally.
As long as you can prove you have legal status in the U.S., you can pay the bond. ICE only accepts a valid photo I.D. and an original social security card.
Be aware that not every ICE office receives bond payments. Here is a list of locations where you can pay in person
You’re paying a cash bond, but ICE does not accept cash. You’ll need a postal money order or a cashier’s check.
If your status is an issue, and you can’t find another friend or family member with legal status, an immigration bond specialist can pay the bond.
Using a Surety Bond
We mentioned immigration bonding specialists earlier in this post. An immigration bond agent can pay your friend’s bond using a surety bond. You pay a fee of 15-20%, and they cover the balance.
If you don’t have the full bond amount, or you’re not comfortable working with ICE, an immigration bond company provides their experience with the system. You’re guaranteed things will get taken care of properly.
Did This Article on Immigration Bonds Help?
We hope this article sheds some light on what can feel like a confusing process to help a friend. No one wants to get that phone call, but now you have enough information to know what’s needed when dealing with immigration bonds.
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