Reducing Immigration Bonds
If the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains you, you may suffer separation from your work, family, and the life you know. You may be held until you get a trial before an immigration court. The court can order you removed directly from detention. It is a tense time where you are isolated and alone. Immigration bonds are a way of getting out of detention and preparing your immigration case on your terms and living freely while waiting for your hearing. ICE sets the initial immigration bond.
If ICE refuses to set a bond for you, or if you want a lower bond, you can seek a redetermination before an Immigration Judge. Once your bond is set either by ICE or the judge, the bond is then paid by someone for you to get out of detention. Without your bond being paid, you will stay in detention until trial. With a paid bond, you can get your life back and work towards a better defense. Sometimes, these bonds can be pricey. Depending on the judge and the particulars of your case, your bond could cost $5000 or more.
Many do not have the ability to pay $5000 or more, which is why many detained immigrants seek a bond reduction to prevent being held until trial.There are alternatives for procuring funds, including reducing bonds. The attorneys of Salmon-Haas can help work with you towards reducing a bond. These attorneys are experienced in immigration law, which gives them the legal knowledge on how to manage issues such as reducing bonds.
What is an Immigration Bond?
A bond is an amount of money set by ICE or an immigration judge that will allow a person's release from detention. To be released from detention, a person must pay the bond. Upon the bond's payment, the amount is held by ICE. The bonded amount is held until the final ruling of the trial. An immigration trial will determine if a person will be deported from the United States. Regardless of whether the person on trial gets to stay in the country or is ordered deported, the amount of the bond is returned to the possession of the person that paid the bond as long as the alien attended all of his hearings and complied with the terms of the bond. If the person on trial misses any dates or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of the bond, such as keeping ICE informed of any change of address, the bonded amount will not be returned.
Why Didn't I Get an Immigration Bond?
Not everyone who gets put in detention can qualify for an immigration bond. If you have certain criminal convictions, such as for an aggravated felony or a drug-related offense, or an immigration record that is of significance to ICE, this can prevent you from getting an immigration bond. If this is the case, there may be other options to help you in your fight. You can qualify for an immigration bond if you do not have a disqualifying criminal or immigration record and ICE sees fit to award you with one as a matter of discretion. For this reason, it is important to present the strongest case possible of the positive factors that weigh in favor of granting you a bond. Additionally, if ICE finds that you are not eligible for an immigration bond, it is important to have that determination reviewed by an experienced immigration lawyer to see if it can be challenged before the judge.
What Are the Kinds of Immigration Bonds?
There are two types of bonds which you could procure to benefit you and your detainment ending sooner rather than later. Salmon-Haas can work towards getting one of these bonds for your release at a reduced rate.
Delivery Bond
A delivery bond is issued when the presiding authority over the immigration case receives the precise conditions of the accused's detention and an arrest warrant along with it. Once these conditions have been met, the immigration judge or a presiding ICE officer must declare the accused is allowed to have a bond. Once the bond is posted, a person must pay, but has the potential of getting the money back if they report to the trial on time.
Voluntary Departure Bond
Voluntary departure bond is only necessary if someone who is detained volunteers to leave the United States upon detention. If this occurs, the bond needed will be considerably less than the price of a delivery bond. However, the person must leave by the required date or risk further consequences from ICE.
How Do I Pay For an Immigration Bond?
To pay for the bond, you will have to do one of two things:
Pay the amount in full directly to the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement
Get a bail bonds officer to assist you in procuring a surety bond, which can help pay for the bond, but will also cost you extra
How Can Salmon-Haas Help?
An experienced immigration attorney can challenge a finding of ineligibility for a bond. They can also help you present the strongest case possible that a bond should be granted or should be reduced based on discretionary factors.Salmon-Haas can help you try to get a bond or lower the amount of an existing bond. When you are paying to help someone stay in the United States, every cent can count. We will work towards providing you with the best results possible.If you need the help of a San Antonio immigration attorney to get or reduce your bond, contact Salmon-Haas now. We are ready to help you.