On July 8, 2025, the Trump Administration enacted a sweeping new policy stripping immigration judges of their longstanding discretion to grant bonds to many detained immigrants—particularly those who entered the U.S. without proper documentation. Under this policy, individuals in ICE custody are placed under mandatory detention, eliminating the possibility of a supervised release through a bond hearing. This shift, compounded by the Laken Riley Act—which broadened grounds for mandatory detention to include even nonviolent and unproven offenses—and the expansive enforcement budget via the One Big Beautiful Bill, is expected to dramatically increase the number of people held in often inhumane detention facilities.
Multiple studies show that incarcerating nonviolent individuals before their immigration proceedings does not enhance public safety and instead inflicts significant harm. Many detained immigrants have legitimate legal pathways to remain in the U.S., including asylum or protections for survivors of trafficking and abuse, yet an overwhelmed immigration court system, with a backlog exceeding 3.5. million cases paired with a reduction in legal support and judges, means thousands will remain detained for prolonged periods.
If you have questions about immigration bonds, contact the attorneys at Gonzalez Olivieri LLC today.
Reference:
Erica Bryant, Ice is Denying People Bond to Keep them Locked up¸ Vera Inst. Just .(aug 8 2025), https://www.vera.org/news/ice-is-denying-people-bond-to-keep-them-locked-up
