Information You Should Know
WHAT IS A BOND?
The bond is what immigration asks for as a guarantee that you will attend all of your hearings. You are promising that, if they release you from detention, you will go to all your court hearings and follow what the judge tells you to do. Once you are released on a bond, that is not the end of your dealings with the court. You need to attend all of your court hearings. When you miss a hearing, you are more likely to be deported. Once you miss a hearing, you most likely will lose the chance to give evidence to the Judge and may not be able to stay in the U.S now. Also, your bond money will be forfeited if this happens.
To be eligible for a bond, the detainee must prove they are no danger to the community and not a flight risk. If you have certain convictions or have been deported in the past, you may not be eligible for a bond. Make sure that you cooperate and answer all of the questions that ICE asks you. If you are found to be uncooperative, you may be refused a bond from ICE.
When you get your paperwork from ICE, it will have the bond amount or simply state “No Bond. The detainee is able to ask the judge to give a bond hearing to potentially set a bond or even lower the bond amount. Here are some ways to ask for a bond hearing for either of these reasons:
- At your very first hearing, make sure to tell the Judge that you are requesting a bond hearing as soon as possible. Most people don’t realize that Bond hearings are entirely separate from deportation hearings. In the coming days or weeks, you will usually get a bond hearing if you ask for one when you are in court. . To ask for this hearing you will have to check the following in the “Notice of Custody Determination” document:
[] I do request an immigration judge review of this custody determination
- Write the judge a bond hearing request letter. Be sure to include your name, A-number, and your request to have a bond hearing as soon as possible. This letter should be sent to:
Immigration Court, 1 Federal Drive, suite 1850, Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Sometimes, your hearing may be scheduled quickly and you have not finished fathering evidence for the judge. Don’t panic! You can tell the Judge that you are waiting for more letters and that you need more time to get your documents in order. It is very important to be prepared for your court case, so make sure you ask for more time if necessary.
You will need to bring your Sponsor Letter to your bond hearing. Your Sponsor Letter should include:
-How the sponsor knows the detained person
-What legal immigration status the sponsor has with proof of immigration status
-An address where the detainee and sponsor will live. Note*This cannot be a P.O. Box. You must have a piece of mail with the sponsor name and address to show proof of residency. A phone bill or electric bill will work.
-How the detainee will be supported by the sponsor if released
-Showing ties to the community
What Can You Do To Help?
Once you or your loved one has been taken into custody, make sure you keep a few things in mind:
- Do not run away from law enforcement
We realize this is a scary time, but there is a process and running away will only make it worse in the end.
- Never physically touch or fight an officer. Do not argue.
The officers are doing their job. There are strict laws against assaulting or touching a police officer in any way. Arguing will only make matters worse. Remain calm, and arrive at the processing center or jail.
- Once you find out where you are, tell Speedy Immigration.
Your family member or friend will arrive at the processing center or jail and be taken through the process. Speedy Immigration will be able to come to them.
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