When Will I Get My Immigration Bond Refund?

One of the most common questions we hear from families after a loved one is released from immigration detention is:
“When will I get my immigration bond refund?”

At US Immigration Bonds & Insurance Services, Inc., we know that posting a bond often means coming up with a large sum of money quickly during a stressful time. That’s why we’ve built multiple programs to help — including an option that makes the process easier even if you have the full cash amount available.

With our 2% Cash Handling Program, if you have the full bond amount, you simply pay a small 2% fee and we handle the entire posting process — without transferring your funds to ICE. This can save you time, reduce stress, and make the experience far more manageable for the person paying the bond.

When Are You Eligible for a Refund?

You are eligible for an immigration bond refund only when ICE cancels the bond by issuing Form I-391 (Notice of Immigration Bond Cancellation).
ICE will cancel the bond if:

• Removal proceedings are terminated, or
• The non-citizen is taken into ICE custody, or
• The non-citizen is in state or local law enforcement custody for more than 30 days, or
• Valid proof of departure from the U.S. is provided.

Important:
The immigration judge is not responsible for issuing the I-391. The judge may issue a court order, but it is the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office that reviews the order and determines eligibility for bond cancellation. A refund cannot be issued until ICE has formally cancelled the bond.

Bond Refund Process at a Glance

What Can Delay the Refund?

One of the biggest sources of delay is the disconnect between immigration court proceedings and the ERO offices. Even after a judge issues a court order, ERO must still process and approve bond cancellation before the I-391 is issued. This gap can confuse the public and slow refunds considerably.

This is where having a knowledgeable, experienced bonding company on your side makes all the difference. We know how to work directly with ERO to help move things forward.

How We Can Help

• If you’ve already posted a cash bond to ICE and are having trouble getting your refund: We can assist for a small fee, helping you navigate the I-391 process and communicate with ICE and the Debt Management Center.
• If you need to post a new bond: We offer multiple programs, including options that require little or no upfront cash, and the 2% Cash Handling Program for those with full bond funds.

Our team is here to make every step of the process — from posting a bond to securing your refund — faster, smoother, and less stressful for your family.

Call us today at 1-800-225-2587 or visit www.usimmigrationbonds.com to speak with a trusted immigration bond specialist.

Helpful Links

• ICE Form I-391 – Notice of Immigration Bond Cancellation
• ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Contact Directory
• Debt Management Center (DMC) – U.S. Department of Defense
• Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) – Immigration Court Info