An Immigration Bond is a secure payment made by a third party, typically a family member or close friend of the detained individual, to ensure that the individual will appear for their court hearing. The Immigration Bond, also known as an Alien Bond, is set by US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to guarantee the person’s appearance in court proceedings. This bond amount is determined according to the person’s particular circumstances, such as criminal history or prior immigration violations. Once ICE has posted and accepted the bond, they will release the detainee from custody so they can be present at their court hearings.
In addition to providing financial assurance to ICE that they will receive a payment if the detainee fails to appear in court, posting an Immigration Bond can also offer many additional benefits. By paying an Immigration Bond, families have more time together since it can help avoid long-term detention, and individuals may be able to work legally while fighting their case when released on bond. Moreover, individuals may be able to access better legal representation since they will no longer be detained and unable to travel freely.
Immigration Bonds are typically set up through a surety company and require collateral from the person signing the bond. Collateral items may include property deeds, tax returns, and/or personal identification documents such as a driver’s license or passport. In addition, those who sign for an Immigration Bond must also agree to comply with all instructions regarding monitoring imposed by ICE officials if requested. Both parties must understand all provisions within the bond before its execution, as failure to do so could lead to financial loss or even incarceration of either party involved in setting up an Immigration Bond.