Beautifying Your Financial Picture

Arrested On Charges Of Being In The U.S. Illegally: Understanding Immigration Bail Bonds

by Darryl Nguyen

Illegal immigration is a huge problem in the U.S. and affects the entire nation as a whole. In 2013, both the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made a total of 662,483 arrests. Those who are arrested have the option of posting bail. This gives the defendant an opportunity to hire a lawyer, develop a case and gather up the evidence that they need for their court hearing. Posting bail may seem like a complicated process; however, there are many bail bond companies that have the experience and authority to handle and deal with immigration bail bonds. Here's what you need to know.

The Different Types of Immigration Bail Bonds

As long as the person being detained is not a threat to national security, he or she will generally have the option of posting bail. Depending on the charges that are being brought against the defendant, the type of bail bond that one may desire will change. There are two different types of immigration bail bonds available. They include:

  • voluntary departure bonds. This type of bail is designed for those who are given an opportunity to voluntarily leave the country at their own expenses within a specified period of time. The defendant will need to find a bail bond company willing to pay the full amount of the bail. The bail is then refundable once the defendant leaves the country. At which point, the defendant will generally only recover a portion of the bail, as the bail bond company does charge a fee for their service.
  • delivery bond. In the event that the defendant is required to show up to immigration hearings, he or she may be eligible for a delivery bond. In this situation, the defendant will generally pay a certain fee for the bail bond company to post bail. During this time, he or she can contact a lawyer to build a case and spend time with family or friends.

Factors to Take Into Consideration Concerning Immigration Bail Bonds

Not all bail bond companies offer immigration bail bonds. Those who need assistance may have to look around for a bond company or bond agent that qualifies. This is due to the fact that immigration bail bonds are considered to be high-risk bonds and require a special type of insurance. This is due to the fact that there is a higher flight risk in these situations.

On top of having to find a qualified bond agent or company, it's important to note that immigration bail bonds tend to be more expensive than regular bail bonds. Expect to pay higher fees. For example, while the standard bail bond rate for each state will vary, expect immigration bail bonds to cost anywhere from 15% to 20% of the full bail amount set. Meanwhile, standard bail premiums are as low as 10% in Alabama and Maryland, and as high as 15% in North Carolina.

Generally speaking, there is no room for negotiation. Due to the hefty price tag attached to immigration bail bonds, those who are posting bail will generally have to put up collateral or work out a payment plan with the bail bond company.

Conclusion

Immigration bail bonds are classified as federal bail bonds. Once the defendant has posted bail, he or she will be free to go; however, he or she must not break any terms or conditions of release. Most bail bond companies can process and handle immigration bail bonds relatively quickly. Once all of the paperwork has been processed and approved, the accused will usually be home by the end of the day.  

Talk with authorized bail bond companies or click here for more information.

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