Immigration Bonds
If an immigration bond has already been set, we can help you post it. We'll explain the cost and collateral options, prepare the paperwork, and handle the electronic bond submission through ICE eBonds.
Don't have every detail yet? Start with what you know.
Need to find someone in ICE custody? Use the ICE detainee locator guide
What Do You Need Help With?
Choose the option that best matches where you are in the process.
I need to find the person
Use the official ICE locator to search for where the person is detained.
Find Someone in ICE CustodyI don't know if there's a bond
Being detained by ICE doesn't automatically mean a bond has been set. If you don't know whether a bond is available or no bond has been set, an immigration attorney can review the person's situation and explain the legal options.
Learn About Bond EligibilityWhat Is an Immigration Bond?
An immigration bond may let someone leave ICE custody while their case continues. They still need to attend hearings and follow the conditions set by ICE and the court.
Posting a bond doesn't grant immigration status or close the case. ICE, DHS, or an immigration judge decides whether a bond is available and sets the amount.
Is an Immigration Bond the Same as an Immigration Bail Bond?
People often use the terms interchangeably. Immigration bonds involve federal immigration custody and are different from state or county criminal bail bonds.
Why Use an Immigration Surety Bond?
You can pay an immigration bond directly through ICE if you meet the government's requirements and want to handle the payment process yourself.
We Handle the Bond Submission
We prepare the bond paperwork, submit the bond through ICE eBonds, communicate with DHS during processing, and let you know when the bond has been accepted.
Who Can Post Directly Through ICE?
ICE has rules for who can post a delivery bond directly through CeBONDS. Current requirements include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, law firms, and nonprofit organizations.
If the person providing the money doesn't meet those requirements, a surety bond may be another option.
View ICE CeBONDS RequirementsUse Qualifying Property Instead of the Full Amount in Cash
If you qualify for Amistad's property collateral option, you may be able to use equity in real estate instead of depositing the full immigration bond amount in cash.
If ICE sets a $20,000 bond, paying ICE directly requires the full $20,000. With an approved property-collateral surety bond, qualifying real estate may be used as security instead.
Prefer to Pay ICE Directly?
If you qualify, have the full bond amount available, and are comfortable handling CeBONDS yourself, you can pay ICE directly without Amistad's premium or application fee.
View Official ICE Bond InformationWhat You Need to Get Started
Have whatever information you can:
- Full legal name of the detained person
- A-Number, if you have it
- Date of birth
- Current detention facility
- Bond amount, if known
- Bond type, if known
- Your contact information
Don't have everything yet? That's okay. Start with what you know and we'll explain what's still needed.
Don't know where the person is detained? Use the ICE locator guide
Immigration Bond Collateral Options
Two ways to secure a bond: cash collateral or qualifying property.
Cash Collateral
The deposit is separate from the premium and fee. After ICE cancels the bond and the obligations are met, the collateral can be returned per the agreement.
Explore Cash CollateralProperty Collateral
Qualifying real estate can be used instead of depositing the full bond amount in cash. We'll review the ownership, available equity, and property documents to see if it qualifies.
Explore Property CollateralHow the Immigration Bond Payment Process Works
Once the agreement and collateral are ready, the electronic ICE bond process begins.
We submit the bond request
We first send the bond request to DHS so they can confirm the bond information. Sometimes they respond quickly; other times it can take several hours.
DHS confirms the bond
Once DHS confirms the bond information, we can prepare the package and move to payment. The bond has not been accepted yet—DHS has only confirmed the information.
We submit the bond package and payment
We prepare the electronic bond documents and submit the payment through ICE eBonds.
We wait for DHS to process it
Once we submit the payment, we wait for DHS. We can't see where our submission is in their workload or how many other bonds are ahead of it.
ICE processes bond payments Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Bond acceptance hours run through 3:00 p.m. local time at the applicable bond location.
DHS accepts the bond
Once DHS accepts the bond, the detention facility handles the release. When a bond is accepted early enough in the day, we often see facilities release the person later that day or the following day. Every facility handles release differently, and they don't give us a guaranteed release time.
After DHS accepts the bond, the timing of release is up to the detention facility.
Paul Nello Romero
Founder, Amistad Bail Bonds
Helping Families With Immigration Bonds
When someone you care about is detained, figuring out the immigration bond process can be overwhelming. We've been helping families through this since 2009—explaining what they need, what it will cost, and what happens next.
Learn more about AmistadImmigration Bond Help by State
Immigration bonds are federal, but the person's detention location determines which facility handles the release.
Find Immigration Bond Help by StateFrequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start the Immigration Bond?
If the bond amount has been set, give us the person's name, A-Number, detention location, and bond amount. Missing something? Send us what you have and we'll tell you what's needed next.
Important Information
Amistad Bail Bonds provides immigration bond services and is not a law firm. Bond eligibility and amounts are determined by DHS, ICE, or an immigration judge. Information on this page is general; consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice about an individual case.