How Long Does It Take to Get an Immigration Bond?

Arrests made by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency come without warning and can be highly disruptive to families. Whether parents are separated from their children or families are otherwise kept apart, the primary concern of everyone involved is reunification. While many immigrants who are detained by ICE fear that they will be kept from their loved ones for months or even years, many are surprised to learn that they can be released while their case processes through the court system with a bond. But, how long does it take to get an immigration bond?

The first step to get an immigration bond is left in the hands of the ICE agency. Usually, within one or two days of an initial arrest, the agency will work to uncover as much information about the immigrant as possible. They will aim to understand which country they are from, how they entered the country, and their reasoning for doing so. Likewise, they will evaluate their criminal history, employment status, family ties, and a plethora of other factors. When these factors are viewed favorably, the agency will typically deem the immigrant eligible for release with a bond. The price of this bond, however, can vary widely based on individual circumstances. In some cases, immigration bonds can cost as little as $1,500 to more than $10,000. 

Next, family members or friends must be notified of the immigrant’s bond eligibility and the cost of their bond. From there, family and friends must designate someone as the immigration bond sponsor. This person will take on the financial responsibility of paying for the bond. At this point, the bond sponsor will have two options to pay the bond: at an ICE facility or through a bond service. Those who opt to pay at a local ICE facility will have to first make an appointment with the agency. Likewise, they must be able to pay the bond in full and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid photo I.D. and their original social security card. It is worth noting that paying immigration bonds at an ICE facility is often time-consuming and full of unexpected problems. Before visiting the facility, a bond sponsor should speak with someone at their local ICE office to ensure that they are well equipped with everything that they will need.

Additionally, a bond sponsor may opt to get an immigration bond through a bond service. This option is often much faster and simpler than paying through ICE. Likewise, it provides sponsors with some flexibility when it comes to payment. This is because bond services can allow payments in full, or they can provide what is known as surety bonds. With a surety bond, the sponsor only has to pay a small amount of the bond amount before their loved one can be released. 

In either case, getting an immigration bond is relatively straightforward and releases typically occur the same day that the bond is paid. Want to learn more about how long it takes to get an immigration bond? Reach out to the experts at US Immigration Bonds today.