The US represents a beacon of hope for immigrants from all over the world who arrive in this country to look for a better life. However, unfortunately, many of them overstay their visas or immigrate without proper documentation. In such cases, they are often arrested and detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) team. ICE also arrests foreign nationals who engage in cross-border crimes or violate other immigration laws. When a person is detained, their friends and family can help them by arranging for US immigration bonds. An immigration bond is the best recourse for aliens detained in ICE detention centers. It can secure their release and allow them to prepare for trial from the comfort of their homes. Many families opt for immigration bonds with collateral to streamline the process. Let’s break down what it means and how it works.

What Are US Immigration Bonds?

An immigration bond represents the money deposited with the authorities to secure an alien’s release from ICE detention. It guarantees that the person will follow all the conditions of the bond and diligently attend all Court hearings for their case. Detainees who meet the eligibility criteria can pay the stipulated bond amount to get out of pre-trial detention.

Posting an Immigration Bond: How Does it Work?

The detainee's friends and family members can pay for an immigration bond in two ways. The first option is paying the amount directly to an ICE-ERO Bond Acceptance Facility. In this case, they have to pay the entire amount and go through a cumbersome process to finalize the bond. Many families find this option too complicated and expensive, preferring the alternative method to streamline the process.

The second option involves paying for the bond through an immigration bondsman. An experienced immigration bail bond agent can help the family post the bond while minimizing their financial burden. The agent can contact the nearest Bond Acceptance Facility and make an electronic payment to facilitate the process. The alien’s friends and family can use a collateral-based system to pay for the bond and avail themselves of this service.

How to Pay for an Immigration Bond with Collateral?

If you work with an immigration bond provider to secure your loved one’s release, you need not pay the entire sum. Immigration bail bond agents provide different options to pay for the bond:

• Full Cash Collateral: You can pay the entire bond amount as cash collateral to the immigration bondsman. In addition, you must pay the bond application fee ($100) and a nominal percentage of the bond amount as a premium for their service. If the alien adheres to the bond conditions till the end of their trial, the agents will refund the cash collateral. However, the bond application fee and premium are non-refundable.

• Property Collateral: If you cannot afford the entire amount, you can provide property collateral to secure the bond. In this case, you must pay a percentage of the bond amount as a premium and allow the immigration bondsman to place a lien on your property asset. If the case ends without any bond violation, the agents will withdraw their rights to the asset.

Amistad is a nationwide provider of immigration bail bonds, helping detainees reunite with their families. Currently, the ICE detention centers across the US have close to 25,000 detainees awaiting their trial and verdict. If your loved one is one of them, you can contact the Amistad team to discuss how to arrange immigration bonds!