An Immigration Bond is a financial agreement between an individual, the obligor, and the United States government, represented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bond ensures that immigrants in the U.S., pending their immigration proceedings, will abide by all laws and regulations of the country. By signing an Immigration Bond, an immigrant agrees to appear for any hearings related to their case and to follow instructions from DHS officials or other government agencies involved in the immigration process. Suppose an immigrant does not meet these obligations. In that case, they may be required to pay a sum known as a bond amount determined by DHS officials or other government agency representatives.
Individuals can sometimes secure an immigration bond without collateral, such as cash or personal property when seeking release from detention centers while awaiting a hearing with immigration authorities. These bonds are known as “no collateral†bonds and must be guaranteed by one or more citizens residing legally in the U.S., typically referred to as sureties. If that individual fails to appear in court, then his/her surety may be liable for any costs incurred by DHS due to non-compliance with immigration laws. Furthermore, a no collateral bond can only be used once; if the individual seeking release fails to comply with DHS regulations again, he/she must post another no collateral bond before they can be rereleased from custody while awaiting their hearing date.
No collateral immigration bonds are also subject to interest rates determined by federal regulations, which must also be paid in addition to the initial bond amount set forth by DHS officials. Additionally, suppose at any time during proceedings, it is found that false statements were made on behalf of either party involved in setting up this agreement. In that case, both parties may face legal consequences, including fines and possible jail time, depending on the severity of the violation(s).