Can I Get a Green Card if I Entered the U.S. Illegally?
It may be a scary day when you or a loved one is detained by the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, you may be able to get yourself or your loved one temporarily out of this situation if a judge posts an immigration bail bond. With that being said, please follow along to find out more about an immigration bond and how a proficient removal & deportation defense lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C., can help you obtain one.
What should I know about an immigration bond?
Essentially, an immigration bond is a legal option to discharge an individual who is in custody for immigration detention. Further, it is the amount of money an individual owes to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It ensures that, once discharged, they will still appear in court for all their future legal hearings and ICE check-ins. In other words, paying this bond does not mean their pending charges will be erased. Rather, it simply allows them to leave jail while their legal case is still processing.
The lowest possible bond that may be posted is $1,500, by law. But you must understand there is no legal limit, so this number may go as high as tens of thousands of dollars. In the end, ICE may decide on this amount based on the following circumstances:
- Whether or not you have family in the United States.
- Whether or not you have a prior criminal history in the United States.
- Whether or not you have a valid immigration status in the United States.
- Whether or not you participate in gainful employment activity in the United States.
Of note, if you cannot afford the bond set by ICE, you may petition for an immigration judge to lower it. But with this, you may risk a judge raising the bond, or worse, ordering your detainment without a bond option.
How do I go about getting an immigration bond?
Sadly, not every individual in custody for immigration detention may be eligible for an immigration bond option. That is, you may be expected to attend a bond hearing and appear in front of an immigration judge. Here, a judge may look into the following factors and if they apply to you and your case:
- Whether or not you can be trusted to stay put while your legal case is still processing.
- Whether or not you will likely be a danger to the community while you are temporarily released.
- Whether or not you will likely receive a favorable outcome in your upcoming legal case.
Contact a talented family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI to gain the emotional and legal support you require during this pivotal time. Our team at Sesini Law Group, S.C. looks forward to helping you.
