Where can I pay an immigration bond

If you want to know where to pay an immigration bond in the United States, you will find the answer in this new blog.

Paying an immigration bail bond can be complex in some scenarios. That is why our New Jersey immigration lawyers at the Curbelo Law firm are willing to help you with this matter. 

Call us today so that we can begin to examine your immigration matter and help you solve it. You can reach us by phone, email, or by scheduling an appointment at our office located in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

How To Apply And Where Should I Pay A US Immigration Bond In 2023

There are two ways to pay an immigration bond in the United States: 

1. Pay the full amount of the bond directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or
2. Find a US immigration bond company that will post bond to ICE on behalf of the applicant.

If the immigration bond will be posted directly with ICE, you will need to have someone who:

• Is legally present in the US.
• Willing to pay the bond.
• Makes sure the detainee attends all of their court hearings or appointments.

If you don’t know anyone with legal status in the US, you can go to an immigration bond company. Each company has its different requirements, so you will have to speak with each of them beforehand to find out about them.

Can Anyone Post An Immigration Bond?

Not everyone can afford an immigration bail bond. That is why the individual who comes to the ICE office to post a bond must be legally in the US. If the individual is not in the country legally, they may also be detained.

Individuals who wish to post bond and do not have legal status may ask a family member or friend with legal status to do so.

Are you illegal in the United States and want to be legal? You may have migratory pathways for it. Visit our respective article to delve into this topic. 

Types Of Immigration bail Bonds In The United States

There are two types of immigration bonds in the US. These are:

• Voluntary departure bond. It is a bond in which the detainee agrees to leave the United States voluntarily within a certain period of time.
• Delivery bond. Posting a delivery bond grants the detainee parole into the US as long as the detainees attend all their hearings.

Please note that if the detainee agrees to leave the country on their own, they will be responsible for paying all of their travel expenses. This is why the voluntary departure bond is often expensive. 

How Can I Pay An Immigration Bond?

An individual with legal status within the US can schedule an appointment with one of the local immigration bond offices to post the detainee’s bond. This individual will be known as an “immigration bond sponsor.”

Once the detainee has their immigration bond sponsor, they must:

1. Call the local ICE office designated to receive immigration bond payments.
2. Let them know that they want to schedule an appointment at the local ICE office to pay the corresponding immigration bond.
3. Know the payment method. Immigration bonds cannot be paid in cash or by personal check.
   1. If you are thinking of paying your immigration bond out of pocket, the best option is to get a cashier’s check made out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
   2. You can also call any US immigration bond agency, which typically provides bonds nationwide.
4. Have the original Social Security card, along with a valid photo ID.
5. Once the immigration bond has been posted, the ICE officer in charge will inform the detention center that the detainee is now cleared for release.
6. After the detainee is released, it is strongly recommended to seek immediate legal assistance. Our lawyer Carolina T. Curbelo will be able to help you competently during this process. 

Please note that this entire release process takes about an hour and the immigration bond sponsor will be able to come to the detention center to pick up the detainee.

Where Are ICE Bonds Paid?

If an individual has been granted an immigration bond by an immigration judge, they can post it at the United States Immigration Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO).

Through the following link you can find the ICE bond acceptance offices. If a bond will be paid to ICE, the following should be considered:

• The bail bondsman must obtain a cashier’s check from a bank or money order from the post office to pay the full amount of the bond. For example, if the bond is $3,000, you must have a cashier’s check or money order for $3,000.
• In addition to the check or money order, you must have:
  • A proof of your identity.
  • Proof of your legal status in the United States.
• Since the debtor will be the one who fills out several forms, they must have the following information:
  • Full name.
  • Date and place of birth.
  • Date and way of entry into the US.
  • Name and address of the place where the detainee’s detention center is located. 
  • Address and telephone number of the place where the detainee will live after being released.
• The bail sponsor is not required to post the detainee’s bail in the same state where the detainee is being held. This is because bail can be posted at any ICE office in the US where bail is accepted. 

What Documents Do You Need To Present To Pay A Bond?

The individual who will post an immigration bond must bring the following documents to the ICE office that accepts bonds:

• The original order of the immigration judge that gave the individual in Immigration Court.
• An ID (can be any of the following):
  • The Green Card of permanent residence.
  • A current driver’s license.
  • A current passport from the United States or a foreign country.
  • An identification card from the state showing the individual’s immigration status. 
• Proof of legal and valid immigration status (in case someone else will post the detainee’s bond). 

Additional Information For The Payment Of A Bond

The following information will be required for the payment of a bond:

• Name of the detainee.
• Detainee registration number or “A Number”.
• Address of the detainee.
• Detainee’s date of birth.
• Country of birth of the detainee.
• Name of individual posting bail.
• Amount of the deposit to be paid.
• Valid address of the paying individual.
• Valid Social Security Number of the individual posting the bond.
• Current phone number of the individual posting the bond.
• Some form of identification that is acceptable.

The paying individual must make sure that all the information they provide to ICE is correct and up-to-date. 

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the bond or with the decision of the Immigration Court will result in the loss of the money used to pay the bond.

How Much Does A Bond Cost For An alien In The United States In 2023?

The usual minimum amount of a delivery bond is usually $1,500, while there is no maximum limit. Generally, US immigration bonds can range from $1,500 to $250,000.

There are many factors that can increase the price of the bond. For example, ICE looks at the length of time an individual has been in the US and the extent of family ties to the country.

ICE might also consider any criminal history the individual has, such as previous criminal or immigration offenses. 

• If all of these factors combine negatively, delivery bonds can be as high as $10,000.
• Voluntary departure bonds tend to be simpler in nature, which is why they generally cost $500.

Although, the place where to pay an immigration bond can be somewhat confusing, you have our lawyer specialized in it. 

How Does The Payment Of An Immigration Bond Work?

The payment of a bond works as a guarantee instrument in which an individual guarantees that they will attend all his court hearings. Through posting a bond, an individual promises that if they are released from detention, they will fulfill all of their obligations.

When an individual is arrested, they can post a bond to the immigration court to ensure that they appear in court when ordered to do so. It’s important to put attention on the following:

• In the event that the defendant fails to appear, the court may issue a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
• The defendant must do everything the immigration judge orders, including being deported from the United States.
• Not all detainees qualify for an immigration bond.

Are you in the process of being deported from the United States? Don’t worry, you may be eligible for cancellation of removal. We invite you to read about this immigration relief in our corresponding blog.

Who Qualifies For An Immigration Bond?

A detainee is eligible for an immigration bond in the United States if they can show that they are not a danger to the community and is not a flight risk. However, in some cases a detainee is not eligible for bail if:

• The individual has certain criminal convictions or has already been deported from the United States in the past.
• ICE believes that the detainee is not cooperating with them by answering all the questions asked.

It is imperative that the detainee speak with their immigration attorney about this issue prior to their first hearing.

Do you have an immigration-related conviction? You may be interested in learning about post-conviction relief for immigration purposes. In our article on this topic, we cover every important aspect of this crimmigration relief in detail .

What Are The Requirements To Keep An Immigration Bond In Force?

Once a bond has been posted, the detainee will be required to be present at any and all court hearings. It is the responsibility of the bail sponsor and the detainee to keep up to date with hearing dates. Additionally:

• The detainee must arrive on time for each of the aforementioned hearings.
• It is essential to have legal representation to ensure that all paperwork is in perfect order and increase the chances of a favorable outcome.
• In general, hearings are usually long processes, so those involved are advised to take advantage of that time to complete any immigration process. For example:
  • If the detainee had previously started the process to obtain the Green Card.
  • If the detainee had not started the process for permanent residence.

If you are looking for legal advice to adjust status in the United States or consular processing abroad, our attorney Carolina can help you.

How Can I Claim Bail Money?

When a bonded individual, that is, was benefited by a bond, obtains a legal immigration status in the United States (such as the asylum process in USA) or is deported to their country of origin:

1. ICE will send Form I-391, Notice of Canceled Immigration Bond to the address stated in the bond contract.
2. Once Form I-391 is obtained, the individual must mail this form along with the original copy of Form I-305, receipt from immigration officer to the following address: Debt Management Center, Attention: Bond Unit PO Box 500 Williston, VT 05495-500 .
3. Once the Debt Management Center receives the forms, they will process the bail refund by mail. This process can take around 4 weeks.
4. If the original Form I-305 is not available, the individual must:
   1. Find it and then print it in the Form I-395, Affidavit in Lieu of Lost Receipt section.
   2. Take the printed form to a notary public where you will sign and notify the form. 
   3. Once this is done, the signed and notarized Form I-395 must be mailed along with Form I-391 to the Debt Management Center address. 

How Do I Know If I Qualify To Claim Bail Money?

Generally, individuals who have paid an immigration bond to DHS or ICE to release a detainee may be able to claim payment. If the individuals paid a bail bond company, the payment is likely non-refundable.

Similarly, the following scenarios should be considered if the individual who was detained:

1. Complied with all instructions issued by ICE and/or the Immigration Court, the bond can be considered cancelled. When a bond is paid, it can usually be collected.
2. Failed to appear at any hearing that was held in court or similar event, bail will be considered breached. A bond that has been violated means that DHS will keep the bond money.

If you received a cancellation notice from DHS, it likely means you can now claim your payment. If you do not receive any notification, you are advised not to assume or interpret that DHS will have the right to keep the money.

In any case, you can contact the ICE office through the following link.

New Jersey Immigration Bond Lawyers

In this blog we have already explained to you where to pay an immigration bond and its respective steps for it. As we have seen, this process requires that you act quickly when you or a loved one is in immigration custody.

Detention is obviously not a pleasant experience. In addition, the time an individual can spend under arrest can be weeks before a bond hearing is held. 

That is why the Curbelo Law firm has enough experience and speed to act as soon as possible when these immigration situations arise. 

If you or a loved one has been detained in the United States, it is important that you remain calm and contact us immediately.