Immigration Bail Bonds in Las Vegas, NV
Immigration bonds
If you or someone you know has been arrested and detained in ICE custody, an immigration bond can secure their release while court proceedings are pending.
Not everyone is eligible for release. Under federal law, non-citizens with certain criminal convictions or prior removal orders are subject to mandatory detention and cannot be released on bond.
When does a non-citizen need an immigration bond?
Non-citizens may be released on immigration bonds under two primary circumstances:
a) When a warrant is issued for the non-citizen's arrest for immigration violations (e.g., an individual who has overstayed a visa) or a non-citizen receives a Notice to Appear.
b) When a non-citizen is permitted to voluntarily leave the United States after removal proceedings have taken place or are scheduled to take place. In this case, immigration judges may require someone to post a bond to ensure the non-citizen leaves the country within the time specified by the court order.
The first is called a delivery bond and the second is called a voluntary departure bond.
Delivery bonds
A delivery bond allows a detainee to be released from custody while they petition the court for favorable immigration status and gives them time to consult an immigration lawyer about their unique situation. The amount must be sufficient to ensure that the non-citizen will appear for any future immigration proceedings.
Delivery bonds are the most popular type of immigration bonds.
Voluntary departure bonds
A voluntary departure bond requires a non-citizen to leave the country voluntarily at their own expense. If they do not voluntarily leave the U.S. within the designated time, they may face serious consequences, including fines and other penalties that can make it difficult to reenter the U.S. in the future.
Voluntary departure benefits
By leaving voluntarily at their own expense, a non-citizen avoids a formal order of removal. Without a deportation order on record, they avoid long-term reentry penalties and preserve their options for future legal immigration.
Read the U.S. Department of Justice Self-Help Guide for voluntary departure.
Are bonds refundable?
Yes, immigration bonds are refundable, provided the detained non-citizen fully complies with all conditions of the bond and attends all required immigration court hearings.
The bond agent fee, which is 15% in Nevada, is not refundable. See NRS Chapter 697.300 for more on the agent's fee.
Form I-352
The main ICE immigration bond form is Form I-352, Immigration Bond. It is the actual federal bond agreement. You can find the form on the ICE portal.
Federal Rules vs. Nevada State Law
Immigration law is entirely federal, so the process for setting and paying a bond is governed by federal rules rather than local laws. Nevada's involvement is strictly limited to regulating state-licensed bail bond agencies, which sets the non-refundable agent fee at 15% under NRS 697.300.
Amount of immigration bond
A typical immigration delivery bond is at least $ 1,500. A typical voluntary departure bond is at least $500. However, in some circumstances, bonds can be set over $10,000. The Immigration Judge assesses the detainee's criminal history, employment status, and family ties in the United States. In some cases, ICE officers can also set an initial bond amount upon detention before a case ever reaches an Immigration Judge.
This criterion is evaluated in a two-step process: first, to determine whether the non-citizen is legally eligible for release (or subject to mandatory detention), and second, to calculate the appropriate bond amount needed to ensure their return to court.
Who is eligible?
Not everybody is eligible to be released on bond until the hearing. Section 236 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1226) governs eligibility, and 8 CFR § 236.1 sets the criteria for the apprehension, custody, and detention of non-citizens.
Methods of posting immigration bonds
There are two ways to post immigration bonds: cash bonds and surety bonds.
Cash bonds for immigration
Cash bonds are paid directly to ICE through its official online system, CeBONDS (cebonds.ice.gov). Payment through the portal must be made via electronic bank transfer (FedWire or ACH). ICE field offices do not accept physical cash, credit cards, or personal checks; walk-in payments are generally limited to cashier's checks or money orders under specific operational exceptions.
Surety bond for immigration
To post a surety bond, you need to use a bail bond agency. Surety bonds require collateral (cash, real estate, car titles, marketable securities (stocks)) and payment of an agency fee. You can use any bail bond company to issue a surety bond. ICE does not endorse any one bail bond agency over another.
Bail bond no collateral
Some bail bond companies advertise "no-collateral" immigration bonds for qualified indemnitors (co-signers). Rather than requiring physical property (such as real estate or vehicle titles), the bonding agency evaluates the co-signer's creditworthiness, income stability, and citizenship status to guarantee the bond. Instead of collateral, agencies may also require the non-citizen to use GPS location tracking or check in regularly.
Note: Even with a no-collateral bond, the co-signer remains legally liable for the full bond amount if the non-citizen fails to appear in immigration court, and the non-refundable agency premium (in Nevada, it is 15%) still applies.
Getting a bond refund
When an immigration bond is canceled because the case has concluded, ICE notifies the person who paid the bond (the obligor) that they can file for a refund of the principal plus any accrued interest.
If the bonded individual fails to appear at a required hearing or ICE appointment, the U.S. government forfeits the entire bond.
Who can post an immigration bond?
Not just anyone can post an immigration bond. To act as the "obligor" (the person paying a cash bond directly to ICE), an individual must generally be a U.S. citizen or a green card holder who is 18 years or older. Alternatively, you can post bonds through a licensed bail bond company, an approved law firm, or a recognized non-profit organization.
For more information, speak with an immigration attorney.
