Immigration bond doesn’t have to be a mystery. Knowing the key terms, what a judge evaluates about it, and the step-by-step to claim bail could help you live this process stress-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2025, the average bail went from 6500 USD (January) to 3500 USD (June<\/a>), the lowest level since 2007, making it easier to get out on bail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, the workload in court helps to understand why many families seek to “get out on bond”: at the close of FY2024 (Fiscal Year<\/em> 2024, fiscal year 2024), EOIR recorded 850,720<\/a> defensive asylum applications filed and 1.5 million pending, which puts pressure on calendars and makes it key to manage times and documents well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Lorenzo Law Group \/ Immigration Lawyers<\/a>, we will explain every step of the way about the immigration bond, from the bond hearing to claiming your refund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An immigration bond is a deposit of money that allows a person detained by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) <\/em> to be released on immigration bond (parole) while their immigration process continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legally, the basis is in INA \u00a7 236(a) (Immigration and Nationality Act 236a<\/em>, Immigration and Nationality Act, section 236a):<\/a> the government can keep the person detained or release him or her on a bond of at least 1500 USD and with conditions to secure his future appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, the bond is documented with the ICE Form I-352<\/a> (Immigration Bond<\/em>), which is the contract between the government and the payer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That bond remains in effect until ICE issues the Notice of Cancellation of Bond (Form<\/em> I-391); when it is successfully canceled, ICE refunds the cash deposit with applicable interest to the payer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The immigration bond works as a guarantee for the person to fulfill their legal obligations while facing their process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding how it operates and what its conditions are is essential so as not to put your freedom or the money deposited at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, ICE allows you to pay immigration bond online through CeBONDS.<\/a> This electronic system makes it easy to verify eligibility, make the payment (via the Federal Reserve), and send notifications to the debtor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don’t want to use the online system, you can also arrange payment at an ERO office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In any case, always keep your I-352 contract and the original I-305 receipt, as they are essential to know how to recover an immigration bond at the end of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When ICE cancels the bond, it sends Form I-391 to the debtor’s home. To claim the refund, you must send<\/a> the I-391 along with the I-305 (or, if you lost the I-305, a notarized I-395 as a substitute) to the DMC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This procedure is processed at the DMC’s office in Williston, Vermont. The I-352 contract lays out the rules, and once ICE issues the I-391, you can claim bail and get your money back (with interest) as long as you keep the receipts, especially the I-305.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember: saving these documents and knowing the process is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays or losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we talk about amounts or refunds, it is important to understand who decides immigration bond and how to ask for that decision to be reviewed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this section, we summarize the typical journey in two steps: ICE’s initial decision and the determination again before a judge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are categories without bail for mandatory detention (e.g., certain criminal records under section \u00a7 1226(c)) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not in mandatory detention (\u00a7 1226(c)), ask for redetermination and prepare evidence of arraignment and non-dangerousness (domicile, employment, family, references).<\/p>\n\n\n\n That preparation can make the difference between an unattainable bond and a release on immigration bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you pull out your wallet, it’s worth clarifying how variable immigration bond can be: the law sets a minimum, but the actual amount depends on the risk, the seat of the court, and the burden on the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting Out on Immigration Bond, How Does It Work, and What Is Bond?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is it for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
The judge can review ICE’s initial custody decision and re-set bail if you ask for it; that review is provided for in regulation 8 C.F.R. \u00a7 1003.19 (Code of Regulations<\/em>).<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\nHow is the bond paid and what do I need to have to claim an immigration bond?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What happens at the end of the case?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who sets the immigration bond and when can I ask for a hearing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
How much is the immigration bond in 2025?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n