Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has Collected Nearly $1 Billion in Bail Bonds
Over the past six years hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants have paid $977 million in bail bonds to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for them to go free until their deportation cases are decided. Since 2006 at least 209,163 potential deportees to avoid detention and go on with their lives as they await their legal fate. For the $977 million amount paid since 2006, the federal government has seized at least $167 million in breached bail bonds from thousands who either failed to appear for legal proceedings or voluntarily left the country. ICE collected almost $287 million in bail bonds last year – $107 million more than in 2010, and the highest amount in six years. By the end of 2011, the agency had returned almost $86.5 million to immigrants who had satisfied the conditions of their bonds. Illegal immigrants forfeited nearly $27.5 million in breached bonds in 2011 – $5 million more than the year before.
ICE’s cash bond account balance as of February 1 was $674 million, The bails of the 55,546 individuals released on bond in 2011 averaged $5,162, according to statistics from the federal agency. The dramatic expansion of bail comes at a time when immigration enforcement authorities are reducing the number of prosecutions against noncriminals. Approximately 11 million people living in the U.S. unlawfully, ICE is focusing on “smart, effective immigration enforcement. ICE instigated 28 percent fewer deportation proceedings in the final three months of 2011. They also prioritizes the arrest and removal of those who game the immigration system, including immigration fugitives or those criminal aliens who have been previously deported and illegally re-entered the country,” according to the statement. But not all illegal immigrants are undocumented, some have entered legally, then overstayed the time allowed by the government. Others have committed crimes that jeopardized their visas.
Immigration judges and ICE agents decide whether to grant bail to illegal immigrants. Generally, they qualify for bail if they have no criminal convictions, have not been previously ordered deported, and can demonstrate that they pose no flight risk or threat to public safety. The amount of bail is based on criteria ranging from the immigrants ties to the U.S., including the number of years living in the country, their job history, any mortgage and tax payments, and whether they are married to or parents of an American citizen. Unlike bail bonds in the criminal justice system, immigration bonds must be paid in full. Bonds are posted in cash or by surety companies, which guarantee the bond on behalf of the immigrant.
ICE did not comment on how the seized money is allocated. Records suggest the money is “forfeited” to the federal government. If history holds, the federal government should seize approximately $30 million this year.
Texas deportations (Chronicle staff graphic)
Source:Chron
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