What Are Your Immigration Bail Bond Options?
If you or someone you know wants to apply for an immigration bail bond, then you should take some time to understand how these bonds work. Typically, most people have a choice of two types of bonds if they are in ICE custody and qualify for bail.
How do these two bonds work? What are their pros and cons?
Immigration Delivery Bail Bonds
Some people can apply for immigration delivery bonds. This process only applies if the individual has an arrest warrant and a list of ICE custody conditions. These bonds are set up to ensure that an individual attends all of their immigration hearings or court appearances.
This type of bond works like a regular bail bond in many ways. It works on a cash or surety basis. However, bail conditions can be more stringent here. Bond costs can also increase according to personal circumstances.
For example, applicants might need a sponsor who is a U.S citizen. They might need to show that they have family in the country and/or community ties. Their bail bond amount will rise if they are seen as a flight risk.
These bonds allow qualifying individuals to spend time with their families while they are out on bail. They can use this time to work with an immigration lawyer to build their cases before their hearings.
However, there is no guarantee of a successful immigration case here. Plus, the bond money will be forfeited if the individual doesn't meet their bail conditions.
Voluntary Departure Immigration Bail Bonds
Voluntary departure bail bonds work differently from regular bonds. These bonds are meant to guarantee that an individual leaves the country voluntarily. They aren't used if an individual wants to pursue an immigration case.
Here, the individual commits to leaving the country by a set date; they organize their travel and pay their own costs. They also pay the bond money to ICE. Once they leave the country, they get the money back.
These bail bonds are typically cheaper. They buy people some time to arrange their departures from the country on their own terms.
However, this bond money isn't always repaid quickly. This isn't an instant process. Plus, ICE keeps the bond money if individuals don't meet their bail conditions.
Immigration bail bonds can be harder to set up than regular bonds. This is a more complex process. To get professional help, contact a bail bondsman with experience working on immigration cases.