How to Pay an Immigration Bond in Georgia?

When an immigrant is arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Georgia, they can be detained in an ICE facility for several weeks or more than a year while they wait for their case to conclude. This can be extremely distressing for the immigrants themselves, as well as their loved ones at home. Fortunately, many immigrants are able to avoid a lengthy stay in an ICE facility or local contracted prison by securing an immigration bond. Discover how to pay an immigration bond in Georgia to get your loved one home:

Before the process of paying an immigration bond in Georgia can begin, the immigrant must first be deemed eligible for a bond by ICE. The decision is made by officials at the agency and they will consider several different factors before making a choice. Essentially, they work to determine whether or not the immigrant will cooperate with future court proceedings of if they believe they will be a flight risk. They will evaluate things like family ties, employment status, time within the country and criminal history throughout this process.

If an immigrant has certain criminal charges, has been previously deported from the country or is viewed as a risk to national security, they will likely be held in mandatory detention. This means that they cannot receive a bond and must remain in the custody of ICE until an Immigration Judge (IJ) makes a final ruling in their immigration case. Those who are eligible for a bond will be notified of this status within a day or two of their initial arrest and a price will be set. The price of an immigrant bond can range widely, but most immigrants can expect to receive one that falls somewhere within the range of $1,500 to $10,000.

After loved ones are notified of the price of bond, they must then arrange to pay it. The person who will make this payment is known as an immigration bond sponsor and they have two options for how to proceed.

First, they can schedule an appointment at their local ICE facility in Georgia. They will need to secure a cashier’s check for the full amount of bond and come equipped with a valid photo I.D. and an original social security card. This process is often lengthy and can be filled with complications, especially when it comes to receiving a refund after the bond is canceled. To avoid this, many opt to use an immigration bond service in Georgia instead.

With an immigration bond service, sponsors can pay the full amount of the bond (plus a small fee) and these funds will be held in escrow. This simplifies the process of receiving a refund and typically ensures a faster release of the immigrant versus working with ICE directly. Sponsors can also purchase surety bonds if they are unable to pay the full amount. This method only requires a small percentage of the bond to be paid, along with a form of collateral, to ensure the release of the immigrant.

Still have questions about how to pay an immigration bond in Georgia? Contact our immigration experts at US Immigration Bonds today to discuss the specifics of your loved one’s case.