People who received certain immigration fines between June 27, 2025, and October 13, 2026, have until November 16, 2026, to submit a narrowly defined claim to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the validity of final penalties issued under an earlier temporary procedure in a notice published October 26. This is not a new chance to appeal any fine.
Which fines are covered?
The notice concerns final civil-penalty decisions issued under 8 CFR part 281, including penalties related to willful failure to depart after a final removal order, failure to comply with voluntary departure, and certain unlawful entry or attempted-entry violations. DHS ratified decisions issued from June 27, 2025, through October 13, 2026. Decisions reversed on appeal, still on appeal, or reopened and rescinded are excluded.
The action does not create a new category of fine or increase the amounts owed. DHS says it is reaffirming past final decisions as a precaution against possible questions about the earlier rulemaking process. It does not mean every person who received a penalty notice automatically has a final, ratified fine.
Who can contact ICE before November 16?
Someone assessed a penalty under the interim procedure may tell ICE that the procedure itself caused them specific prejudice and ask the agency to consider an appropriate remedy. The notice explicitly says this is not an additional appeal mechanism. Disagreeing with the fine alone is not the same as alleging prejudice from the interim rules, and ICE does not promise to cancel or reduce a penalty.
The notice directs claims to IFRCivilFinesReview@ice.dhs.gov. The email subject must contain the person's full name, date of birth, and Alien Registration Number (A-number). The claim must also include a current address, current telephone number, the penalty tracking number, and an invoice number if applicable. ICE says it will not review submissions missing required information. The claim must be received by November 16, not merely prepared by then.
Why did DHS act now?
DHS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review introduced the streamlined penalty procedure on June 27, 2025. A final rule took effect on October 14, 2026, largely retaining that process. One change permits ICE to accept certain late appeals when documented mail-delivery delays were outside the person's control. The October 26 notice separately ratifies final decisions made under the earlier interim procedure.
Anyone with a penalty should check whether the decision is final, whether an ordinary appeal remains pending, and whether the claimed harm actually relates to the interim procedure. A removal order, appeal, collection case, or disputed fine may require individualized legal advice before sending sensitive personal information to ICE.