Will I Get My Immigration Bond Fee Back?: A Guide to Immigration Bond Refunds
💵 Will You Get Your Immigration Bond Money Back? Here's What You Need to Know
Did you know there are more than 200 immigrant jails and detention centers across the United States?
It’s no surprise that thousands of families every year find themselves navigating the complex process of paying an immigration bond to help a loved one get released from ICE custody.
But once the bond is paid and your loved one is released, one big question remains:
Will you get your bond money back?
The good news is—yes, you can, but only if certain conditions are met. Let’s break down how immigration bond refunds work, what steps you need to take, and how to avoid delays in getting your money back.
🔐 What Is an Immigration Bond?
An immigration bond is a financial agreement paid to ICE to secure the release of a detained immigrant. The purpose is to ensure the detainee will:
Attend all court hearings
Comply with immigration judge orders
Follow through with removal (if ordered) or legal status adjustment
The person who pays the bond—called the obligor—is entitled to a refund if the detainee follows all conditions of release and the case concludes.
✅ When You Get a Bond Refund
A bond refund is triggered when:
The immigrant wins their case and obtains legal status, or
The immigrant is deported and fully complies with all final orders
In either case, ICE will cancel the bond and begin the refund process. A Notice of Immigration Bond Cancellation (Form I-391) is mailed to the obligor (the person who paid the bond), using the address they originally provided.
📬 Moved Since Paying the Bond?
If you’ve changed your address since posting the bond, you must notify ICE to avoid missing critical documents.
👉 Download and complete Form I-333 (Obligor Change of Address) and submit it to the ICE ERO office where the bond was posted.
You can find office locations here.
This ensures you’ll receive your refund notice and any additional bond-related communication on time.
Need help determining if your loved one qualifies for an immigration bond? Visit our Immigration Bond Eligibility & Requirements guide to get started.
🧾 What You Need to Receive a Refund
Once you receive Form I-391, you'll need to send the following to the Debt Management Center in Vermont:
The original bond receipt (Form I-305)
A copy of Form I-391
A cover letter requesting the refund
Proof of identity (recommended but not always required)
If the documentation is accepted and everything checks out, you’ll receive a refund check from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
🔄 Lost Your Receipt? Here's What to Do
If you’ve lost or misplaced Form I-305 (your original bond receipt), don’t worry—you can still request a refund.
Instead, fill out Form I-395 and have it notarized. This serves as a replacement for your missing bond receipt.
You’ll still need to include:
Form I-391 (when received)
A notarized cover letter
Any additional documentation required by ICE or the DHS Debt Center
👥 Can Someone Else Receive the Refund?
Yes—you can designate another person to receive the bond refund by submitting a power of attorney–style authorization form.
If you later change your mind, you can revoke that designation by submitting another form stating the change in recipient. This is especially important for families who want to ensure the refund goes to the correct party (e.g., the one who actually paid the bond).
🙋 You're Not Alone—Amistad Is Here to Help
Helping a loved one through an immigration detention is emotionally draining and legally confusing. And when it comes to bond refunds, the paperwork alone can overwhelm families already under stress.
That’s where Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds comes in.
We provide:
Guidance on bond payment, refund tracking, and forms
Help with cash or property collateral bonds
Support in English and Spanish
Nationwide service and 24/7 availability
Visit our How Immigration Bail Bonds Work page to understand the full process from start to finish.
📞 Let’s Get Your Questions Answered
Still not sure what forms you need? Confused about how to file a refund request?
We’ve helped thousands of families get their loved ones released and recover their bond money afterward. We can do the same for you.
📞 Call us at (800) 537-0645
🌐 Or contact us here for a free consultation
We’re here to support you from day one—until the very end of the process.
