Immigration bondsmen are individuals or companies that provide financial assistance to immigrants arrested by ICE and cannot pay the bond set for their release. The bond is an agreement between the immigrant and the bondsman that stipulates that the immigrant will return to court at a specific date and time, and if they fail to do so, they must pay a fee. This financial assistance helps immigrants avoid being sent to prison while also providing them with some protection from deportation.
Immigration bondsmen specialize in immigration bonds. Depending on the situation, they can offer delivery bonds or voluntary bonds. A delivery bond works similarly to a bail bond, where the amount set for release is paid, but if the immigrant fails to appear in court, this amount will be forfeited. A voluntary bond does not require that money be paid upfront but instead allows an agreement between the immigrant and the bondsman where payment can be made later once their case has been resolved.
The costs associated with becoming certified can range from $1,500 to $25,000, depending on state regulations. Immigration Bondsmen typically charge 10-15% of the total amount required for release as their fee; however, this can vary depending on individual circumstances such as risk level and length of the detention period.