LA Faith Leaders' Immigrant Bond Fund Nears Limit After Spending $1M

Organizers warn rising bond amounts are draining donations faster than they can be replenished.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:23pm

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Southern California faith leaders who created a shared fund to post immigration bonds say their fund is close to empty after covering nearly $1 million in costs and helping more than 100 people get out of detention. Organizers warn that bond amounts, sometimes set in the tens of thousands of dollars, are rising faster than donations, leaving families stuck while loved ones sit in custody.

Why it matters

The CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund is a critical lifeline for immigrant families in the Los Angeles area who cannot afford the high bond amounts set by immigration courts. As bond amounts continue to rise, the fund is struggling to keep up with demand, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by immigrant communities in the region.

The details

The CLUE bond fund works in partnership with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) to identify detained people eligible for release and post bond money on their behalf. One man who spent six months behind bars was able to return home thanks to the $7,000 bond posted by the fund, according to his wife. However, organizers say the fund is "running dangerously low" as bond amounts climb, with nearly $1 million spent in just four months.

  • The CLUE bond fund has posted nearly $1 million in bonds over the past year.
  • The fund helped more than 100 people get out of detention in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

The players

CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund

A shared fund created by Southern California faith leaders to post immigration bonds and help reunite families.

Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef)

A legal organization that works with the CLUE fund to identify detained people eligible for release and post bond money on their behalf.

Melanie LeSage

The wife of a man who spent six months in detention before being released with the help of the CLUE bond fund.

Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez

One of the organizers of the CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund.

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What they’re saying

“If it weren't for CLUE, I don't know how I would have paid that bond.”

— Melanie LeSage (NBC Los Angeles)

“We had spent through almost a million dollars last year in just four months.”

— Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez, Organizer, CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund (NBC Los Angeles)

What’s next

Organizers of the CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund are making a public push for more donations to replenish the fund and continue supporting immigrant families in the Los Angeles area.

The takeaway

The CLUE Detained Immigrant Bond Fund is a vital resource for immigrant families in Los Angeles, but its ability to continue providing this lifeline is threatened by the rising cost of bonds. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by immigrant communities and the need for more support and resources to ensure families can stay together.