What Happens if You Don’t Pay an Immigration Bond in Miami?

Miami is a city known for its luxurious beaches and high-energy nightlife. Despite being a prime destination for vacationers, immigrants that live here are faced with the possibility of being arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. In many cases, immigrants are forced to make the decision to remain in the country illegally after their Visa renewals are denied. This is often due to family ties in the United States or because of a lack of opportunity or safety in their home countries. While many who are arrested by ICE are able to be released through a bond while their case processes through the immigration court system, they are often too expensive for families to afford. So, what happens if you don’t pay an immigration bond in Miami?

Upon learning that an immigrant is eligible for release on bond, families are often thrilled. The excitement is typically short-lived; however, once they discover the cost of the bond. In some instances, an immigration bond in Miami can exceed $10,000. This is a lot of money for a family to come up with in a few days’ time without any prior warning. Although they may desperately try to raise this amount, it may be impossible to do. This means that they are unable to pay the bond in full at a local ICE facility to secure the release of their loved ones. 

In this scenario, it is important to note that families are not required to pay for an immigration bond. The fact that an immigrant is eligible does not mean that this cost is a requirement. It does mean that the immigrant will have to remain in an ICE facility until their case concludes. In some cases, this may only be a few weeks while in others, it can take more than a year. Once the case concludes, the immigrant will either be allowed to continue to live within the United States and released from ICE custody or they will be removed and sent back to their home country. 

Because this is an emotional and highly distressing situation for the immigrant as well as their family and friends, it is important to explore other options to get them home. One of the most popular options, when a family is unable to afford the cost of a bond in full, is to use a service that specializes in immigration bonds in Miami. Unlike posting bonds at an ICE facility, a bond service allows loved ones to purchase what is known as a surety bond. A surety bond only requires a small payment which equals out to a certain percentage of the total bond cost. Likewise, loved ones may be asked to provide a form of collateral, such as the title to a car, to secure the bond in the event that the immigrant fails to comply with the terms of their bond.

Once these things are provided, immigrants can be released quickly- often times within hours of obtaining the surety bond. This allows families to reunite and support one another as the case makes its way through the court system. If you are in need of an immigration bond in Miami, reach out to US Immigration Bonds today to learn how we can help get your loved one home fast.