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What Happens If You Don’t Pay an Immigration Bond?
An immigration bond presents those who have been arrested by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency with a chance to be released from their custody. Before a loved one is able to pay an immigration bond, ICE will work to determine if the arrested individual is eligible for a bond. This is determined within the first day or two that the immigrant is held in ICE custody. Once a price is set, loved ones can then pay the bond to have the immigrant released. But what happens if you don’t pay an immigration bond?
Immigration bonds are not a required legal fee and the loved ones of the arrested immigrant do not have to pay them. In most circumstances, family, friends, or even employers, wish to get the immigrant back home as soon as possible. This is related to the emotional stress the immigrant endures while being held in ICE custody as well as the stress endured by loved ones amidst their absence. Because of this, many do opt to pay an immigration bond when their loved one is deemed eligible for release on bond. In some cases, however, loved ones may be unable to pay the amount of money requested by the agency. If the immigration bond is not paid, the immigrant will remain in an ICE facility or local contracted prison until their court case concludes. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year, depending on the caseload that the immigration courts in the area are facing.Â
For those who are struggling to come up with the funds to pay for an immigration bond, it is worth noting that there are options available to get your loved out of ICE custody. Often, family members and friends turn to crowdfunding efforts to cover the costs. For example, each member of the family or friend contributes money to paying the bond. This can make the unexpected costs less financially draining, versus one person paying the bond on their own. Likewise, loved ones can seek the assistance of an immigration bond service.
When you pay an immigration bond directly to ICE, there are a host of requirements that come along with the payment. Aside from needing the full amount of the bond in cash, the person who opts to pay it must visit an ICE facility, be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and be equipped with the necessary forms of identification. This can be intimidating, and many loved ones prefer not to visit these facilities. An immigration bond service acts as a third-party connection between the family and ICE for a fraction of the cost. This is because loved ones only pay a small percentage of the bond amount, along with a form of collateral, to secure the release of an immigrant from ICE custody.
Want to learn more about how to pay an immigration bond without visiting an ICE facility? Reach out to US Immigration Bonds today to discuss your options.