Who Qualifies for Immigration Bonds in Georgia?

Across the country, the state of Georgia is perhaps best known for its picturesque architecture and unrivaled southern charm. For immigrants who call the state home; however, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment centers take the center stage. Whether an immigrant entered the country without documentation, or they have overstayed their Visa, they run the risk of being detained by ICE in Georgia. While it can take several months for an immigration case to make its way through the court system here, many detained immigrants are relieved to discover that they can return home while they await a decision from an Immigration Judge (IJ). So, who qualifies for immigration bonds in Georgia?

Because the ICE agency is a federal branch, the requirements for immigrants are the same across the entire country. This means that all detained immigrants are held to the same standards when it comes to determining bond eligibility, whether they were arrested in Georgia, New York, Florida or any other region. After an initial arrest is made, ICE agents in Georgia will work diligently to evaluate whether each immigrant is eligible for an immigration bond. This can be done the same day the arrest is made but it may take several days depending on when the immigrant first arrived. This process is known as the “bond hearing” and involves taking an in-depth look into the immigrant’s life. Typical factors that are assessed at this point include the amount of time within the country, family ties, employment status and criminal history.

Those who have a lengthy criminal history, have been deported previously, have been convicted of certain crimes or are otherwise perceived as a threat to the community or national security will have a difficult time being approved for an immigration bond. In these circumstances, some immigrants may be subjected to mandatory detention until their case resolves in court.

Immigrants who do qualify for an immigration bond will have an amount assigned for their bond. The cost can vary widely but usually falls somewhere between $1,500 and $10,000. Afterwards, they will have an opportunity to contact their loved ones with information regarding the cost as well as how to pay the bond and secure their release from detainment.

This can be done in two different ways, paying in cash at an ICE facility or through an immigration bond service. Paying at an ICE facility is a time-consuming process that requires loved ones to jump through a lot of hoops. For starters, an immigration bond sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid social security card and photo I.D. Although this can be problematic for some families, the true problem lies in obtaining a refund once the case concludes. Immigration bonds can be expensive, and many loved ones rely on getting the money back after the case is resolved. Sadly, many report that it is nearly impossible through ICE even when their case meets all the requirements for a bond refund.

When loved ones wish to avoid these problems with ICE in Georgia, are in need of expert guidance or do not have the full amount of bond in cash, they turn to immigration bail bond services. Here, families can relax knowing that the service is acting as a third-party connection between them and ICE. The experienced agents can often arrange the release of a loved one the same day and those who pay the bond in full can get immediate refunds after the case has concluded in court.

Want to learn more about who qualifies for immigration bonds in Georgia? Reach out to our expert immigration bond agents at US Immigration Bonds today to discover the difference we can make when dealing with ICE.