What Happens at an Immigration Bond Hearing?
When someone is arrested and detained on an immigration charge by the Department of Homeland Security, one option to get out of the detention facility while waiting for a hearing is to pay an immigration bond. The bond money is a guarantee that you will show up for future immigration hearings with U.S. immigration authorities. If you do not attend future court hearings, the bond will immediately be revoked and the government may take action – and you may forfeit the bond money.
What Is An Immigration Bond Hearing?
When someone is arrested and facing deportation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will whether to set bond or no bond, based on how cooperative the detainee is and whether they are dangerous or a flight risk. An immigration bond hearing is an appearance before an immigration judge to determine if bond can be set, and if so, the amount of bond someone must pay to get out of jail while waiting for future court hearings. An immigration detainee is eligible for a bond if they can prove that they are not a danger to the community and are not a flight risk. In situations where ICE does not set a bond, you will want to ask for a bond hearing. An immigration bond hearing is an appearance before an immigration judge to determine if bond can be set, and if so, the amount of bond someone must pay to get out of jail while waiting for future court hearings. An immigration detainee is eligible for a bond if they can prove that they are not a danger to the community and are not a flight risk.
A detainee or their attorney can request a bond hearing. To request a bond hearing:
• On the “Notice of Custody Determination” document, mark:
[] I do request an immigration judge review of this custody determination
• Submit a bond hearing request letter to the local immigration court:
Chicago Immigration Court
525 West Van Buren Street, Suite 500.
Chicago, IL 60607
At your immigration bond hearing, you will need to demonstrate that you are not a flight risk and that you are not a danger to the community.
In most cases, you only have one chance to make your case at a bond hearing. Speaking to a qualified immigration attorney is important so that you can present your strongest arguments at a bond hearing. The immigration attorneys at Chicago’s Godoy Law Office fight for the rights of immigrants in Illinois and help immigrants navigate the complex and numerous immigration policies, procedures, and regulations. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855.554.6369.