Bond v Parole

Jul 28, 2023 by Rachel Chappell Chauvin

Immigrating to another country is a complicated process, and it can be challenging when you're not familiar with the laws and regulations of your destination country.  That is why it is crucial to know some of the terms used in the process, such as immigtation bond and immigration parole. If you are an individual that wishes to migrate to the United States, it is essential to understand the difference between these terms. In this post, we will discuss immigration bonds and immigration parole, their differences, and how they affect your immigration process. 

1. Immigration Bond 
An immigration bond is a bond paid to a US immigration court or immigration officer to ensure that an immigrant facing removal proceedings is not a public safety risk or a flight threat to the country. This bond is posted by US citizens, permanent residents, or representatives of a bonding agency. If you or your loved one is in ICE custody, an immigration bond can secure their release from detention.
A bond is obtained only after filing evidence with the court to show that the detainee has a legal permanent resident or United States Citizen sponsor, a place to live, and is not a danger to the community. Once this evidence is filed, with a motion to set for a hearing, the immigration court will schedule a bond hearing date for the detainee to appear before the Judge and government attorney. At this hearing, the detainee will put forth an argument as to why he/she should be released on a bond. If granted, the Judge will set a financial amount they believe will encourage the detainee to continue to pursue immigration relief. Once this financial amount is paid, the detainee will be released.

2. Immigration Parole 
There are many, many kinds of parole that can be granted at various stages of an immigration case. Here, we discuss the parole for detainees in one of the many immigration detention centers in the United States. Like the bond, the parole requires evidence to be filed that demonstrates the detainee is not a danger to the community, has a legal permanent resident or United States Citizen sponsor, and
has a place to reside once released. This evidence is filed with the detainee’s ICE officer. The ICE officer will review the evidence and make a determination if parole should be granted. The parole can come with obligations such as a financial amount attached, required future ICE check in’s, ankle monitors, etc. No hearing takes place and the detainee is given the results directly by ICE officials.

3.  Key Differences between Immigration Bond and Immigration Parole
One core difference between immigration bond and immigration parole is their purpose. Bond is intended to guarantee that an individual won't flee or pose a threat to public safety while in detention or on a removal order awaiting deportation. Conversely, parole is issued allowing someone to temporarily stay in the United States. Another difference between them is who is qualified to pay them.
Bonds are typically paid by US citizens, permanent residents, or bonding companies, while parole is entirely at the discretion of USCIS or DHS.

Additionally, a parole does not require a hearing while a bond requires a hearing before an immigration judge wherein both the detainee and the government attorney may put forth arguments in support of their position.

Additionally, a bond usually provides a faster response than a parole. Here at the Louisiana detention centers, a bond hearing is typically scheduled within one week of filing. A parole on the other hand can take weeks before a decision is handed down to the detainee.

In conclusion, having a better understanding of immigration bond and immigration parole is essential if you're looking to immigrate to the United States. Both options help individuals navigate the complex immigration processes, and their purpose and implications apply to different scenarios. If you're not sure which one you need or have any questions about your immigration status, it is advisable to consult
an experienced immigration attorney for guidance.

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