Immigration Bond Reform on The Horizon

The American immigration bond and bail system is in desperate need for an overhaul, and activists might soon get what they want: a just and fair immigration bond system.

In early April, the Department of Justice acknowledged the need for immigration bond reform, specifically the immigration bond amounts issued by judges. There are also strides being taken to speed up the hearing times and some states have created programs to ensure that detainees are entitled to a new bond hearing every six months; allowing them the opportunity to request a lower bond amount and make arrangements with an immigration bail bondsmen.

Immigration bonds are set for immigrants who can prove that they are not a flight risk and non-violent. A judge will set a bond to act as a form of insurance that guarantees the newly released immigrant will return for the deportation hearing and trial. If the immigrant flees and does not show for trial, deciding to continue to reside illegally in the United States, the bond is not returned.

In most states, an immigration bail bond can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000. Since it takes years for the case to be settled, families are left with debt and high interest payments for years at a time.

Although some argue that immigrants should have less rights than U.S. citizens, which is true (for instance, illegal immigrants are not entitled to legal representation), other’s argue that the United States’ legal system has a responsibility to not only deliver swift justice to the detainees, but also a responsibility to the tax payers who are funding detainment centers that house immigrants for years without end.