What Happens After Immigration Bond Hearings?

One of the fastest ways for an immigrant to get released from ICE detainment is by securing an immigration bond. Shortly after the initial arrest is made, ICE or an Immigration Judge (IJ) will determine each immigrant’s eligibility for bond. If they are eligible, an amount will be set, and an immigration bond sponsor can pay it shortly after to ensure a quick release, but it isn’t always this simple. In many cases, immigrants are deemed ineligible for release through a bond or the price is simply far too high. Fortunately, these immigrants can request an immigration bond hearing to ask an Immigration Judge to reconsider their eligibility or the cost of the bond. So, what happens after immigration bond hearings?

What happens after immigration bond hearings is largely dependent upon the judge’s decision. During the bond hearing, the judge will consider several factors that will sway the final ruling. One of the biggest influences lies on the immigrant’s criminal history. Those who have an extensive criminal history or have been convicted of certain crimes, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking or money laundering, will probably be held in mandatory detention. This means that the judge will be unable to grant release on an immigration bond on these grounds alone. For those without significant criminal histories, the judge will be interested in learning about the immigrant’s community standing, employment history, family ties and other relevant information. If the judge feels confident that the immigrant will comply with the terms of their bond based on their investigation, they may decide to make the immigrant eligible or lower their pre-existing bond amount, but there is no guarantee that this will happen.

Unfortunately, if the immigrant is still deemed ineligible for bond, they will be held in mandatory detention at an ICE facility until their immigration case concludes in court. This does not necessarily impact the outcome of the case, and immigrants can still be granted legal status or receive an order for removal at the end. The time it takes for the case to resolve varies greatly but typically one can expect to remain in custody for several months to over a year.

After a successful immigration bond hearing where the immigrant is deemed eligible or the bond amount is lowered, the case will continue to proceed as usual. Immigrants will not be released until the full amount of their bond is paid by an immigration bond sponsor. After payment is received, they will generally be released the same day and can return home until their case is resolved. It is important to note that the immigrant must cooperate with the terms of their bond to remain at home. If they fail to appear to hearings or other check-ins with ICE after release, they can be detained once again.

In the event that the immigrant is struggling to pay the full amount of their bond and the judge does not lower it, it can be helpful to consult the help of an immigration bond service or agent. These services only require an immigration bond sponsor to pay a small percentage of the full bond amount and provide a form of collateral. Once this process is complete, the company will work with ICE to arrange the release of the immigrant.

Have questions about working with an immigration bond service or agent? Contact us today to learn how we can help get your loved one released from ICE detainment today.