Immigration Bail Bonds New York And New Jersey
What Are Immigration Bail Bonds?
Unlike regular bail bonds, which are required by the state legal system in order to release someone who is awaiting a court hearing, immigration bail bonds are required when someone of questionable legal immigration status is arrested and detained by the federal authorities like US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
After their arrest and processing, ICE requires the detainee to come up with one of two types of immigration bail bonds before they can be released:
- Delivery Bond. This type of bond is set by ICE, or by an immigration judge on the case. The detainee must agree that they will be present for all set court hearings.
An illegal immigrant/defendant who has been detained by ICE may be eligible for a delivery bond based on the determination of ICE or an immigration judge. The detainee must receive an arrest warrant and a notice of custody conditions from ICE to be released on a delivery bail bond. The purpose of the delivery immigration bond is to ensure that the detainee shows up to all immigration hearings, and allows the person to spend time with family, as well as consult with an immigration lawyer leading up to a court hearing.
- Voluntary Departure Bond. For the terms of this bond to be fulfilled, the detainee must lawfully and officially leave the state, at their own expense. Once they are out of the state, they must repay the bond amount.
In some cases, detainees are given the option to voluntarily leave the country at their own expense by a specified time period. The departure bond–if paid in full to ICE–is refundable once the person has left the country, but will be forfeited if the person fails to leave.
How to Pay for an Immigration Bond
Arrests and jail time always take an emotional and financial toll on the detainee and their loved ones. Unfortunately, immigration bail bonds come at an even higher cost.
The simplest option, and the least affordable to most families, is to pay the full amount of the bond upfront. The money gets refunded after the detainee attends all of their scheduled court hearings. This is a great option for those who can afford it, but since these bonds can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, few can.
Call us for immigration bail bond needs!
Most detainees opt to work with an immigration bail bond company to obtain a surety bond. The cost is typically 20% upfront, which the bond company keeps as payment. Then they promise to cover the remainder of the bond if the detainee does not show up to their hearings.
At JC Bail Bonds, we specialize in immigration bail bonds. We have a good working relationship with ICE and the courts and attorneys in Houston, and we know how to get you or a loved one out of custody and back home fast. If you qualify for an immigration bail bond, make JC Bail Bonds your first call!
Who Usually Qualifies for an Immigration Bail Bond?
Whether a detainee has the option to bond out is strictly up to the discretion of ICE and immigration courts. There are several criteria the detainee must meet before ICE will even consider them for a bond.
- First, they must have a clean criminal record. If they have been convicted of a crime noted by ICE or the Department of Homeland Security, they will remain in immigration detention until their court hearings are finished.
- Second, they need a permanent physical residence. ICE wants to know that the detainee will be in a permanent location where they are easy to reach when needed.
- Finally, immigration bonds are not available to those arrested at a port of entry. If an illegal immigrant is detained while illegally entering the state, they will be disqualified from bonding out of jail.