The U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains aliens or non-U.S. citizens who are suspected of immigration violations. An Immigration Court judge will probably review the detainee's case. If eligible, a detainee might be temporarily released from custody by posting a bail bond. Bonds are forfeited if detainees fail to attend court hearings.

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How to Post an Immigration Bail Bond

How to Make Bail

Instructions

1

Determine if the alien can be bonded out of jail and the bond amount. The severity of the violation will impact whether the alien qualifies for temporary release.

2

Gather money to satisfy the bond amount--usually as a money order or cashier's check, but cash and U.S. treasury notes or bonds are accepted. You must pay the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which used to be called Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS). If the alien must post $10,000, then the full amount must be given to USCIS before the alien is released.

3

Post a bond at a valid location. Federal buildings usually restrict bond posting hours to 8 a.m.-3 p.m. during weekdays. However, some federal buildings do not accept bond payment. For instance, in Massachusetts, you cannot pay a bond at the JFK Federal Building in Boston but must travel to Burlington, Massachusetts.

4

Disclose information about the alien such as the location, Alien or A number, date and country of birth. You usually must describe the relationship between you and the alien--friend, family member. Remember that you are declaring under oath that the information is correct.

5

Request a release of the bond after the alien has completed all conditions and the proceedings are terminated. The bond money will not be returned if the alien flees and fails to attend his hearing.

Tips & Warnings

A major difference when posting immigration instead of criminal bonds is that the alien is charged with a federal offense subject to federal laws. You must be at least 18 years old and maintain legal status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to post a bond.

If you post the bond using cash, you must sign a power of attorney section within the bond application. By signing a power of attorney, you allow another person to act on your behalf. The U.S. Attorney General typically serves as power of attorney with regards to immigration bonds.

Tags: power attorney, Federal Building, Immigration Bail, Immigration Bail Bond, post bond