If you are in the United States on a visa, you may be required to post an immigration bond. This bond guarantees the government that you will follow the terms of your visa and appear for scheduled hearings. If you do not follow the conditions of your visa or fail to appear for hearings, the full amount of the bond will be forfeited to the government.
Bonding out of detention is a two-step process. First, you must pay the premium for the bond, which USCIS sets. The premium is usually 15% of the total bond amount. For example, if your bond is $5,000, you would pay a $750 premium. Second, you must find a surety company willing to post the bond on your behalf. The surety company will charge you a fee, typically 15% of the total bond amount.
What is an Immigration Bond?
An immigration bond is a type of surety bond that the US government requires to grant someone released from detention awaiting their deportation hearing. The purpose of the immigration bond is to ensure that the individual appears for all their scheduled court appearances and abides by the terms of their release.
If an individual does not appear for their court date or violates any other terms of their release, then the total amount of the immigration bond will be forfeited to the US government.
How Much Does an Immigration Bond Cost?
The cost of an immigration bond depends on two factors: first, the amount set by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), and second, the fee charged by the surety company.
The premium, or initial cost to purchase immigration bonds, is typically 15% of the total bond amount set by USCIS. For example, if USCIS has given your loved one a $5,000 bond, then you would need to pay a $750 premium to purchase the immigration bond from a surety company.
In addition to this premium, most surety companies will charge a fee; this fee can range anywhere from 15% of the total bond amount depending on various factors such as credit score and employment history.
USCIS sets immigration bonds to ensure that individuals appear for all their scheduled court appearances and meetings related to their cases. If you have a loved one who has been detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), posting an immigration bond may be one way to secure their release from detention while they await their day in court.