How Long Does It Take to Bail Someone Out of Jail?

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency operates much like criminal justice systems in the United States. Generally, most people who are arrested for a criminal offense can be released from jail by securing a bail bond, and the same is true for illegal immigrants who are detained by ICE. The bail bonds offered by ICE are known as immigration bonds because they apply purely to immigrants; however, the concept and process are the same. So, how long does it take to bail someone out of jail when detained by ICE?

The first step to getting a loved one released from ICE jail (or detainment) is for them to be declared eligible for release on an immigration bond. This is typically done within a day or two after they arrive in the ICE facility. At this time, the price of the bond will also be determined and can range from a minimum of $1,500 to over $10,000. To come up with this figure, ICE will consider factors like employment status, criminal history, family ties and the method of entry into the United States. If favorable, the amount will be minimal while if this conjures up a more negative image, it will probably skew the bond amount towards the higher end of the range.

The longest step in getting a person out of ICE jail is usually coming up with the amount of money required to pay the bond in full. For some families, this will only take a few hours while it may take weeks or months for others depending on their financial situation and the cost of the bond. If after exhausting all avenues, a family still cannot raise the full amount needed, they may opt to turn to a bail bond service or company that only requires a small percentage of the bond to be paid upfront.

If paying in full, an immigration bond sponsor (the person who will pay the bail bond) will need to schedule an appointment at their local ICE facility. This is a simple process, but the sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident in good standing with the U.S. They must also have a valid photo ID and their original social security card in tow, along with cash or a money order to make the payment. Any other requirements will be expressed by ICE when the appointment is scheduled. After the money has been paid and all paperwork has been signed, ICE will release the immigrant from jail.  This generally only takes a few hours.

When working with an immigration bond service, a sponsor will need to pay the percentage of the bond that is required by the company. Most services will also require sponsors to provide them with a form of collateral, like the title to a vehicle or the deed to a home that will only be collected if the immigrant does not follow the terms of the bail bond. After these steps are completed, the service will arrange the release of the immigrant with ICE. The amount of time that this will take generally depends on the practices of the company, but will probably be within a day or two.

Have more questions about how long it will take to bail someone out of jail or ICE detainment? Contact us now to discuss your options.