Finding out that a family member has been arrested and detained in a federal facility can be very stressful. You will want to do everything possible to get them released. Being released usually involves something called an immigration bond and it's important to understand how a bond works. Read below to find out more about immigration bonds and how to obtain your family member's freedom.
Locate Your Family Member
Someone arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) will be taken to the closest federal holding station. In many cases, you might feel confused about the sudden turn of events and not know how to locate your family member. There are several ways you can do that. You can access the federal website or phone the ICE locator hotline at 1-888-351-4024. Another way to deal with the matter is to enlist the help of a federal immigration lawyer. They can not only find out where your family member is being held, but they help with other matters in the future. It's important to find out where they are before you try to procure an immigration bond, however.
Paying the Bail Bond
In some cases, your family member can be released using a bail bond. Bail is a sum of money that is paid along with a promise to abide by certain bail conditions. Some of these conditions include returning for future court hearings and not getting arrested for any reason. Bail amounts can vary widely and there are no set bail schedules – it's mostly up the federal judge assigned to your family member's case. If you find out that your family member is being held without bail or the bail is not affordable, speak to an immigration attorney about the situation. You have two choices when it comes to paying the bail costs:
- Pay the full cost of the bail using cash or property as collateral.
- Pay a percentage of the bail using an outside bail bonding agency that works with federal immigration issues. Percentages vary but you can learn a great deal by phoning some agencies in the area near the detention facility.
After the Release
Detention facilities can be extremely unpleasant and overcrowded places. The chances of having your family member released depend on the nature of the charges, the local authorities, and other factors. If you can obtain their release, your family member's journey is just beginning. You will need to speak to an expert in immigration laws, like an immigration citizenship attorney, about your family member's case. Immigration law is complex, and trying to navigate the waters without legal help is futile and could result in dire consequences for your family member. Speak to an immigration lawyer about the arrest, bail, and defending your family member.
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