What Do You Need to Get Immigration Bonds in Florida?

Being arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is extremely disruptive to the lives of immigrants and their families. In Florida, immigrants are arrested and detained each day throughout the state. They are held in ICE facilities or local contracted prisons until an Immigration Judge (IJ) makes a final ruling in their case. Because there is a plethora of pending immigration cases in the Florida court system, it can take weeks, months or even more than a year for this to happen. Those who are fortunate enough to be declared eligible for release with immigration bonds in Florida are able to avoid this lengthy detainment and return home to their family members. Before they can be released; however, an immigration bond sponsor must make the bond payment.

To pay for immigration bonds in Florida, family members and loved ones have two options. For starters, they can schedule an appointment at their nearest ICE facility. To do this, they will need to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident in good standing. They must also have a valid social security card, photo identification and be able to make the payment in full. Most ICE facilities do not accept credit card payments for bonds, so sponsors should ask their local facility about payment methods to be prepared before arriving at the facility. Even when all of these requirements are met, it is common for the process to be lengthy and complex. ICE is notorious for these difficulties, along with failing to issue immigration bond refunds to those who qualify later in the process. Because of this, those who have experience with the agency or are otherwise hesitant to appear in person, turn to immigration bond services instead. 

To get an immigration bond in Florida through a bond service, you can either pay the bond in full as with ICE, or you can purchase a surety bond. If you pay in full, you will be assessed a small fee and then the payment will be held in escrow until the case is resolved in the court system. Afterward, those that qualify for a refund will receive it quickly without all of the difficulties and delays experienced working with ICE directly. Those who are unable to make payments in full can secure the release of their loved ones by paying a small percentage of the total bond amount and providing a form of collateral. This money is assessed as a fee; however, and will not be eligible for a refund. Collateral will only be collected in the event that the immigrant fails to abide by the terms and conditions of their release.

In either case, it is crucial to understand that immigration bonds in Florida do not clear the immigrant’s name of all legal action. It merely allows them to return home to their loved ones while the case continued to process in court. Purchasing an immigration bond will have no influence on the final outcome of the case. 

Want to learn more about what you need to get an immigration bond in Florida? Chat with US Immigration Bonds now to discuss how we can get your loved one home today.