Bond payments must be made via Fedwire or Automated Clearing House (ACH) to post an immigration bond. Fedwire – a high speed, real time, electronic funds transfer system operated by the Federal Reserve Bank.
A financial sponsor, including a petitioner, must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
When the Debt Management Center receives your forms, it will process your bond refund. You should then receive a refund of the original bond amount along with any interest that accrued during the months or years that proceedings took place during. The refund process usually takes a couple of months.
A detainee's release happens after an immigration bond is posted. Release after posting an immigration bond may take several days, depending on administrative processing times. You must ensure the detainee attends all court hearings. Missing court appearances could lead to forfeiting the bond.
While you can't directly sponsor a non-relative friend, you still have the option to offer financial support and protection for an immigrant entering the US. Here's what you need to do to become a joint financial sponsor for a friend.
US citizen grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration. There is an annual quota for visas in the following categories. See for visa waiting periods.
Sponsors must generally be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who meet income and financial requirements. They are legally obligated to provide support until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked for a certain period of time, or meets other conditions.
All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support.
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, law firms, and non-profit organizations can use CeBONDS to post a delivery bond, voluntary departure bond, or order of supervision bond. Noncitizens can also post a Voluntary Departure bond or Order of Supervision bond on their own behalf.
A delivery bond allows the individual to be released from custody with the condition that they show up for all immigration court hearings. A voluntary departure bond allows the individual to leave the U.S. voluntarily by a specified date and receive a full refund of the bond amount.