When you are detained by immigration, your initial goal is often to get out as soon as possible. To do so, the immigration judge (or sometimes DHS) must grant you a bond. The judge takes several things into consideration when deciding a bond request. One of the main things he considers is whether you are a flight risk, meaning whether you are likely to attend your court hearings.
To demonstrate to the judge that you are not a flight risk, you will need to provide evidence to prove this. The judge will consider several factors when making a decision, including:
- Eligibility for immigration relief
- Family with status in the U.S.
- Ties to your community
- Ownership of property
- Stable job
- Length of time in the U.S.
There are a variety of ways to prove to the court that you are not a flight risk. You can provide your own written statement explaining the reasons why you need to be released from detention and why you would like to stay in the U.S., such as to work and support your family. You can also provide letters from family, friends, employers, and community members who support your release. You can provide bills, mortgage statements, car titles, tax returns, and other similar documentation to show your length of time in the U.S. and ownership of property. And if you are eligible for relief, proof of any pending or approved applications and/or eligibility to apply for such relief.
These are just a few examples of the types of evidence that can be used to prove that you are not a flight risk. You typically will only have one chance to show your bond eligibility, so it is extremely important to consult an attorney prior to applying for a bond to make sure that you are including all the evidence necessary to make your case as strong as possible, to improve your chances of being granted a bond.