How to Pay an ICE Bond, Step by Step

To pay an ICE bond, the person posting the money (the obligor) generally sets up an account in ICE’s CeBONDS system, verifies identity, sends the funds by bank transfer, and signs Form I-352, the bond contract. Before any of that, make sure a bond has actually been set, because posting money for someone who is not eligible for release on bond accomplishes nothing.

Key Takeaways

• Do not pay anything until you have the bond amount, the person’s A-Number and the detention facility confirmed, and until you know who in your family is able to serve as the obligor.
• The obligor is not just a payer. Signing Form I-352 makes that person responsible for making sure the detained person attends every required appointment and hearing.
• Be wary of anyone who asks for large fees, monthly payments or a tracking device in exchange for “getting the bond paid.” Federal and state regulators have taken action against exactly that kind of arrangement.

What should you confirm before you pay an ICE bond?

Families often rush to the bank before the basics are in place. Before you send any money, confirm these points:

• A bond has been set. Bond is discretionary, and some people in detention are not eligible for it at all. If you are not sure whether your family member can be released on bond, read our explanation of how immigration bond amounts and eligibility work in Florida.
• The exact amount and type of bond. A delivery bond is the usual type for someone released while a removal case is pending. ICE also lists other bond types, so confirm which one applies.
• The detained person’s full name, A-Number and facility. You will need them to find the right record.
• Who the obligor will be. Choose this person carefully, as explained below.

The regulations give DHS officers and immigration judges the authority to set and review bond; see 8 CFR 236.1. If you have a bond amount that seems out of reach, it may be possible to ask an immigration judge to review it, and we cover that process in our post on the federal court split over bond hearings.

Who can be the obligor on an ICE bond?

The obligor is the person or entity that posts the bond and signs the contract. Under 8 CFR 103.6(b), immigration bonds may be posted by two kinds of obligors: a Treasury-certified surety company, or an individual or entity that deposits cash or a cash equivalent such as a postal money order, certified check or cashier’s check in the face amount of the bond.

The practical rules for individuals are narrower than the regulation suggests. The American Immigration Council reports that CeBONDS is limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain non-profit organizations and law firms, and that the system requires users to upload proof of citizenship or permanent resident status. The same organization has pointed out that this excludes people who may otherwise qualify as obligors but lack those documents, and that people without bank accounts may struggle to use the system. ICE’s own page, ice.gov/bonds, is the place to check the current requirements, and we recommend reading it before you start because policies can change.

If the family member who wants to help does not fit these categories, that does not always mean the door is closed. Options such as a surety company, or a qualifying organization or law firm acting as obligor, may exist. We would rather you ask before assuming.

What is the step-by-step process for paying the bond?

Exact screens and requirements change, so treat this as a map, not a script. The general sequence looks like this:

1. Gather identification and proof of status. Expect to need a government-issued photo ID for the obligor and, for individuals, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence to upload.
2. Create a CeBONDS account. The system is run by ICE. Go to it through the official ICE bond page, not through a link a stranger sent you.
3. Enter the detained person’s information. This is where the A-Number and facility matter.
4. Complete identity verification. The American Immigration Council describes this as the stage where obligors follow required steps and upload documents before payment.
5. Send the money by bank transfer. The American Immigration Council reports that payments go by Fedwire or ACH, which means a visit to, or an online transfer from, your bank rather than a credit card payment.
6. Sign the bond contract and keep every receipt. This is Form I-352, discussed next. Keep copies of everything you sign and everything you are given.

Payment is one part of release, not the whole of it. ICE has its own processing steps, and we cannot tell you how long they take in a given case.

What does the obligor sign on Form I-352?

The Form I-352 delivery bond secures the person’s release on the condition that the obligor produces the person whenever ICE demands it in writing, until the removal proceedings end. The same form says that if the obligor fails to do so, the full amount of the bond becomes due and payable once the breach determination is administratively final. It also requires the obligor to promptly report an address change on Form I-333. This is a real contract, and the obligor carries the risk.

Because of that, it helps to talk openly as a family before choosing the obligor. The obligor should be someone who can stay in contact with the detained person, can receive ICE mail reliably, and understands the stakes of a missed hearing.

Cash bond or surety bond: which is better?

Both are delivery bonds on the same I-352 contract; what differs is how the bond is secured. With a cash bond, the obligor deposits the full face amount with ICE and gets it back, with interest, when the bond is cancelled under its terms. With a surety bond, a Treasury-certified company guarantees the bond, and the family typically pays that company a fee. 8 CFR 103.6(b) allows both, and it lets ICE decline bonds from sureties with high unpaid breach invoices or a breach rate of 35 percent or more in a fiscal year.

A surety fee is generally not refunded, because it pays for the guarantee. A cash deposit is refundable when the bond conditions are met, but it ties up the family’s money for as long as the case lasts. The right choice depends on what your family can raise and what risks you can accept. Whatever you choose, get every fee and term in writing and in a language you read well.

How do you avoid bond scams and predatory bondsmen?

Desperate families are easy targets. Watch for these warning signs:

• Fees that are a large percentage of the bond, paid up front, with no clear statement of what is refundable.
• Monthly payments or a required GPS ankle monitor that you did not expect.
• Contracts only in English, or pressure to sign before you can read them.
• Anyone claiming to be an ICE officer who asks you to send money through a payment app, gift cards or wire to a personal account.
• Promises that they can guarantee release.

This is not hypothetical. In 2021 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorneys general sued Libre by Nexus, alleging it offered to pay immigration bonds in exchange for large upfront fees and heavy monthly payments. According to the CFPB, the case ended in a final judgment on April 1, 2024, which the Fourth Circuit affirmed in October 2025. That is one case, and it does not mean every bond company acts this way, but it is a good reason to read every contract.

How do you get the bond money back?

Under the I-352, cancellation is automatic in situations such as the person’s removal or the grant of permanent residence, and for a cash bond ICE says it will refund the deposit and applicable interest to the obligor at the address on file. CLINIC’s factsheet on the right to reclaim your immigration bond money describes the practical steps:

• Wait for or request the cancellation notice, Form I-391.
• Keep the receipt the obligor was given when the bond was posted, Form I-305. If it is lost, CLINIC notes that a notarized Form I-395 can stand in for it.
• Send the refund request with those documents to the address CLINIC lists for the ICE bond unit, and keep copies.
• If the obligor cannot collect the money personally, Form I-312 lets the obligor designate an attorney in fact to receive it. It must be notarized, and the obligor stays legally responsible for the bond.

Update your address with ICE whenever it changes. A refund sent to an old address is the most avoidable way to lose track of the money.

What does it mean when a bond is breached?

A breach is a finding that the bond conditions were substantially violated; see 8 CFR 103.6(e). In practice, it usually follows a missed appearance or failure to produce the person when demanded. CLINIC explains that ICE typically sends a notice to deliver the person (Form I-340) first, and then a notice of breach (Form I-323) if the demand is not met, with no refund to follow. The I-352 gives the obligor 30 days to file an administrative appeal or motion for reconsideration, and the breach becomes final if the obligor does not act in time.

If a breach notice arrives, do not ignore it. The deadline is short, and what to file depends on the facts. Bring the notice to an attorney right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay an ICE bond with a credit card or in cash at the detention center?

The American Immigration Council reports that CeBONDS payments are made by Fedwire or ACH bank transfer. The regulation lists cash equivalents such as cashier’s checks, but the practical method depends on current ICE procedure, so check the official ICE bond page or ask us before you go to a bank.

Can someone who is not a citizen or green card holder pay the bond?

The regulation itself does not limit cash depositors to citizens and permanent residents, but the American Immigration Council reports that CeBONDS requires proof of citizenship or permanent residence for individuals. If your family member does not have that, contact us or another qualified provider to discuss what alternatives may exist.

Does paying the bond mean the immigration case is over?

No. A bond only secures release while the case continues. The person still has to attend every hearing and appointment, and the underlying removal case proceeds separately.

What happens to the bond if the person wins their case?

Under the I-352, the grant of permanent residence or the termination of removal proceedings is among the events that cancel the bond. A cash bond is then refunded with interest, as described above, once the cancellation process is completed.

How We Can Help

If a family member is in ICE custody, we start with the paperwork: which detention category applies, whether a bond has been set, and what options may fit, such as a bond request, a habeas petition or parole. We do not promise a bond, and we do not guess at outcomes before seeing the facts. You can read more about our approach on our immigration bond lawyer page, and for ways to support your loved one in the meantime, see our guide to supporting a loved one in ICE detention.

Our first step is a free pre-evaluation, where we review the facts and tell you whether we can help. If it is a fit, we invite you to a paid consultation with a written flat-fee quote. Call us at (407) 917-2087 or start through our contact page. Our founding attorney Denisse Ilabaca is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction held by fewer than two percent of Florida attorneys.

Legal Disclaimer: This article explains general information about paying immigration bonds. It is not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Bond eligibility, procedures and requirements depend on the facts of each case and can change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Florida immigration attorney. Ilabaca Law, PLLC, 300 N Ronald Reagan Blvd, Suite 305, Longwood, FL 32750.