Immigration lawyer Alfredo Lozano of Lozano Law Firm helps people in San Antonio, San Angelo, Eagle Pass and Laredo who have been arrested or detained to obtain a release from detention while a decision on their removal is pending. Non-citizens can be arrested or detained if they are believed to be in the U.S. illegally or they are believed to have committed any number of deportable offenses. If you have been detained or arrested, you have the right to appear in court and defend yourself, but preparing and assisting in your defense is difficult if you are locked up in detention. Fortunately, the law does allow for your release on an immigration bond in certain circumstances.
Immigration Bonds & Bond Hearing Explained
Like a bond in a criminal matter, an immigration bond is an amount of money, established by the immigration judge, which you can post to the court in exchange for your release from ICE detention. So long as you appear at your immigration court hearings and follow other requirements set forth in the bond, you or the person who posted the money for the bond will receive the money back at the end of the proceeding. However, if you fail to appear in court or follow other orders, the amount of money paid for the bond is forfeited and kept by the U.S. Treasury.
Not everyone is eligible for a bond. There are certain conditions that must be met before the court will consider allowing a bond. For instance, if you are considered to be a flight risk or a danger to the community, then you will not be offered the option of a bond. Other factors weighing against bond eligibility include being under an order to be deported, having past criminal convictions or having a history of missed court hearings. On the other hand, there may be factors in your favor which support allowing a bond, such as having local family ties or ties to the community which make it more likely you will stick around for your court appearances.
Attorney Alfredo Lozano understands all of these factors and will work with you to present the best case for a bond at your initial bond hearing. Mr. Lozano is with you when the initial determination is made by the local USCIS district office, and he is there at any hearing for reconsideration before Homeland Security or the immigration court. If necessary, Lozano Law Firm will represent you at an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or a bond redetermination hearing in immigration court. In San Antonio, Eagle Pass, Laredo and San Angelo, contact Lozano Law Firm for advice and representation with your immigration bond hearing.