Immigration Bond Hearing

If you are an immigrant who has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), then a legal battle lies ahead of you. You will likely have to plead your case at immigration hearings until the moment when a judge determines whether or not you must be deported. However, once you have been detained, you can apply for a bond hearing to get out of custody.

While a bond hearing won’t serve as a final solution to your immigration case, it can allow you to escape detention until your case is resolved. By working with the lawyers at Consumer Law Group, you can learn more about immigration bond requirements, find out if you are eligible to apply and set the process in motion.

What Is A Bond?

An immigration bond is similar to bail in the criminal justice system. Essentially, the court requires you to temporarily pay a certain amount of money, and in return, you are released from custody and allowed to stay at home for the duration of your case.

In addition to monetary payments, immigration bonds typically come with other conditions as well. For example, you are required to show up for all of your hearings and may even be subject to monitoring. If you break any of the conditions of the immigration bond, you will likely lose your bond money and be remanded in custody until the conclusion of the trial.

Who Is Eligible For Bond?

Not everyone is eligible for an immigration bond. In some cases, detained immigrants must have a sponsor post bond for them and make certain commitments that mitigate risk for the court. But in order to qualify for a bond, you must prove that:

• You are not a danger to your community.
• You are not a flight risk.
• You have not been convicted of disqualifying criminal offenses.

There are many reasons why an immigrant would not be granted a bond. For example, you typically will not be eligible for a bond if:

• You were detained by ICE while illegally entering the U.S.
• You entered the U.S. illegally and never gained lawful resident status.
• You were involved in any terrorist activities.
• You were convicted of certain crimes demanding imprisonment.
• You were convicted of crimes of moral turpitude.

How To Ask For A Bond Hearing

After you are detained, ICE agents may provide you with paperwork that states your bond amount. You will have to be proactive about requesting an immigration bond hearing so that you can get in front of a judge and ask for your bond to be lowered or get released on bond.

Although you are not entitled by law to the opportunity to post a bond, there are a couple of ways you can request an immigration bond hearing. You can ask the judge in your initial hearing to schedule an immigration bond hearing, or you can write a bond hearing request letter. Address your letter to the immigration court that has jurisdiction over your case and include your full name, alien registration number (A-number) and the name of the facility where you are detained.

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What To Bring To A Bond Hearing

You will need to come prepared for an immigration bond hearing. To increase the likelihood that you receive a favorable bond amount – or any bond at all – you will need to provide the court with documentation and evidence that proves you are trustworthy enough for release. Below, we will go over some of the most important documentation to bring to your immigration bond hearing.

Sponsor Letter

A sponsor letter should be written by a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident who is willing to house and support the detainee upon their release. A sponsor letter should include:

• A description of the relationship between the detainee and the sponsor
• The sponsor’s immigration status and documentation proving this status
• A street address where the sponsor and detainee will live during the immigration proceedings
• A description of how the sponsor will support the detainee upon release

Supporting Documents

You can bring a wide range of supporting documents to an immigration bond hearing. These documents should support both your good moral character and your ties to the community and country. Some of the supporting documents you might bring as evidence in an immigration bond hearing include:

• Evidence that you have a formidable immigration relief case
• Tax records
• Proof of family members who legally reside in the U.S.
• Letters of support from family members, friends and community members
• Documentation that demonstrates your ties to the community
• Property ownership documentation
• Records of service in the armed forces
• Evidence of business ties to the U.S.

These are just some examples of supporting documentation you may bring to an immigration bond hearing. Consult with a qualified deportation lawyer to discuss even more options as far as supporting documentation.

Bond Hearing FAQs

How do I find out the bond amount?

You will likely have to take active steps to get immigration bond information. ICE may assign you a bond amount after taking you into custody, but this is not a guarantee. To find out a bond amount, you should request an immigration bond hearing at your initial hearing or request a bond in writing.

How does one pay a bond?

You can pay an immigration bond with a certified cashier’s check or a U.S. postal money order. Credit cards, cash and personal checks will not be accepted. You will typically pay the bond at an immigration office.

Can I ask for a lower bond?

Yes, you can ask the immigration judge to lower your bond. Whether or not this is granted is up to the judge. They will either slightly lower your bond or reject your request.

Will I get the money back?

If you comply with the conditions set forth by the court and show up for all of your hearings, then you can get your bond money back. Once a decision is issued, either you or the person who posted your bond can claim the bond money.

What is an Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP)?

ISAP is a monitoring program designed to prevent immigrants who are in the midst of deportation proceedings from fleeing. The program entails semiregular home visits from ICE agents as well as required visits by the detainee to an immigration office.

Why should one pay a bond?

If you do not pay the bond, you will stay in a detention center for the entirety of the court proceedings. Many people find this unpleasant and would much rather spend the duration of their trial at home or with family members. Additionally, if you post a bond, you don’t have to worry about visiting hours, so you can spend more time consulting with your attorney.

How A Consumer Law Group Lawyer Can Help With Immigration Bond Hearings

The highly trained attorneys at Consumer Law Group specialize in immigration law. Our team tackles a wide range of immigration relief issues, from DACA to cancellation of removal. A qualified attorney can walk you through the removal process and assist you in applying for an immigration bond hearing. As the deportation process progresses, we can help you identify relevant forms of immigration relief and provide you with invaluable legal support.

We have helped many people in their immigration cases. Just take a look at our testimonials page to see the results we have achieved. Contact Consumer Law Group today to schedule a free and confidential legal consultation. Simply call 312-766-7777 to speak with a qualified immigration attorney today.