7 Things You Should Know About Immigration Bonds

🛂 7 Things You Didn't Know About Immigration Bail Bonds

In 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made over 103,000 immigration-related arrests. Many of those detained were undocumented immigrants or individuals who overstayed their visas.

If someone you love is being held by ICE, understanding how immigration bail bonds work is essential to bringing them home and helping them stay in the country while their case proceeds.

Below are seven crucial facts about immigration bonds that many people don’t know—but should.

1. What Is an Immigration Bond?

An immigration bond is a financial guarantee paid to ICE that allows a detainee to be released from custody while their immigration case moves forward. The bond ensures that the individual will:

• Appear for all immigration court hearings

• Comply with conditions set by the court or ICE

Only licensed bond agents or individuals with legal status in the U.S. can post these bonds. Even though a bond allows someone to be released, it doesn’t erase prior charges or eliminate the risk of deportation—it simply buys time to prepare a proper defense.

Learn more about how immigration bonds work in our step-by-step guide.

2. There Are Two Primary Types of Immigration Bonds

There are two main types of immigration bail bonds:

✅ Delivery Bond

This allows a detainee to be released with the promise they will appear in court. It’s granted by an immigration judge or ICE officer once an arrest warrant and custody notice have been issued.

✅ Voluntary Departure Bond

This permits the detainee to leave the country voluntarily at their own expense within a set timeframe. If they follow through, the bond is refunded. If not, the money is forfeited.

3. Not Everyone Is Eligible for a Bond

Some immigrants are ineligible for bond. You may be denied bond if:

• You have past deportation orders

• You are considered a danger to national security

• You have certain criminal convictions

• You’re deemed a flight risk

However, with the help of an immigration attorney, you can present strong supporting evidence such as:

• Family ties (marriage certificates, letters from family)

• Employment or proof of financial responsibility

• Community involvement (letters from churches, organizations)

• Sponsorship letters from U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents

4. You’ll Need an Immigration Bond Hearing

A bond hearing is the legal process where an immigration judge decides:

• If you can be released on bond

• How much the bond will cost

These hearings may be in person or via video conference, depending on the facility. If the judge believes ICE has sufficient reason to detain you, your request may be denied. If not, the judge will set a bond amount.

5. Bond Amounts Can Vary Widely

Bond amounts depend on factors like:

• Criminal record

• Immigration status

• Employment and family ties

• Perceived flight risk

Minimum bond amounts start at $500, but they can exceed $50,000.

There are two ways to pay:

• Cash bond: You pay the full amount directly to ICE

• Surety bond: You work with a licensed immigration bondsman and pay a 15% premium plus collateral (cash or property)

6. You Can Request a Lower Bond Amount

If you think your bond amount is too high, you or your attorney can request a Bond Redetermination Hearing. In this separate hearing, the judge will reconsider the original amount based on updated evidence.

For example, if a pending criminal charge that affected the bond has been dropped, that may be grounds for a reduction.

7. Bond Money Can Be Refunded—If All Conditions Are Met

Immigration bonds are refundable, but only if:

• The detainee complies with all court appearances

• They follow all court orders, including voluntary departure (if applicable)

To get your money back, you must keep your original bond receipt and submit it along with Form I-391 (Notice of Bond Cancellation) once the case concludes.

Want to make sure you don’t lose your refund? Visit our page on immigration bond eligibility and requirements for more information.

📞 Need Help with an Immigration Bond?

If someone you love has been detained by ICE, don’t navigate the process alone. Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds is here to help.

We offer:

• 24/7 support across the U.S.

• Flexible payment options

• Fast processing and bilingual assistance

• Decades of experience in immigration bonds

📞 Call us now at (800) 537-0645
🌐 Or schedule a free consultation online

We're here to reunite families and help you move forward with peace of mind.