How to Purchase an Immigration Bail Bond

Learning that a loved one has been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is a scenario wrought with emotion and uncertainty. After the initial arrest is made, family members and loved ones often feel out of the loop. They may be unsure of where the immigrant is being housed and have to resort to using tools such as ICE’s detainee locator to get any information. Once they find their loved one, their biggest priority is to get them home quickly. Because immigration cases can take several months or even years to resolve, an immigration bail bond is typically the only way this occurs.

Immigration Bail Bond Eligibility

Before one is able to purchase an immigration bail bond, ICE must first declare that the immigrant is eligible. Eligibility is determined in what is known as a bond hearing. Many immigrants are eligible; however, certain factors may deem them ineligible. This includes an extensive criminal record, previous deportations, or posing a risk to national security. In these scenarios, immigrants are subject to mandatory detainment and are unable to be released until their case is resolved through the immigration court system. Those who are eligible will have a price set for their immigration bail bond at this point. While the cost may vary widely depending on the specific details of the case, average prices range between $1.500 to $10,000.

Immigration Bond Payment Options

Once a price is set for an immigration bail bond, the next step typically depends on the finances that are available to those who will be responsible for posting the bond. Those who are able to pay the amount in full can make a payment directly to ICE using their new CeWEB online payment portal. In order to use this system, users must have access to online banking as this system does not support credit, debit, or other popular payment methods. Likewise, the obligor (or person who intends to pay the bond) must be able to provide proof of their identity along with proof of their citizenship or legal permanent residency.

For those who are unable to meet ICE’s requirements to use CeWEB, are unable to pay in full, or otherwise prefer not to pay for an immigration bail bond through ICE directly, a bond service is a fast and effective option. 

What’s the Difference Between ICE Immigration Bail Bonds and a Bond Service?

An ICE immigration bail bond simply refers to the immigration bond set by the agency. Many people opt to pay the agency directly to secure the release of their loved one from detainment. In some cases, people are unable to pay the bond in full, or for other reasons, prefer not to work with ICE directly. A bond service acts as a third-party connection between the immigrant’s loved ones and ICE. Unlike ICE bonds, an obligor using a bond service is only required to pay a small percentage of the bond amount to secure the release of the detained immigrant. This is known as purchasing a “surety bond” and instead of cash, families are able to secure the loan with a form of collateral. This is a fast way to get an immigrant released from ICE detainment without having to wait to raise funds.

Interested in learning more about purchasing an immigration bail bond to get a loved one released from ICE detainment? Contact U.S. Immigration Bonds to learn how we can help.