A migrant mother residing in the city of Houston, Texas, succeeded in having the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) overturn an immigration fine of $1,820,352 imposed by the federal government.
The notification reached him on July 9, with an approximately 30-day deadline to respond.
The woman acknowledged that at first she thought it could be a scam, but she decided to consult with an immigration attorney, who confirmed that the debt was completely real, according to a report by Telemundo Houston.
The dilemma: to pay or to leave the country
After responding to the notification, the federal government presented him with two options: to take on a payment plan of approximately 3,000 dollars per month, or to leave the country with his family through voluntary self-deportation.
"I didn't have that amount," the woman stated, who also received documents related to a possible voluntary departure from U.S. territory.
None of the two options were viable for her, so she decided to seek legal advice and appeal the case.
The key: an active migration process since 2021
The central argument of his defense was that since 2021 he has been maintaining an active migration process related to a U visa, a humanitarian status intended for victims of serious crimes who collaborate with authorities in criminal investigations.
Furthermore, the woman had obtained a work permit and a Social Security number, which strengthened the argument that her stay in the country did not amount to a willful disobedience of a deportation order, but rather was part of an ongoing legitimate immigration process.
On August 10, the DHS notified you by email that your case had been canceled and closed, completely eliminating the million-dollar debt.
What are these fines, and why do they reach such high amounts?
The Trump administration reinstated in 2025 the imposition of cumulative civil fines of up to 998 dollars per day against individuals with final deportation orders who do not leave the country, based on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
These sanctions can be applied retroactively for up to five years, which explains why the figures are around 1.8 million dollars, the maximum possible in that period.
Since June 2025, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued at least 10,000 penalty notifications under this policy.
In March 2026, a Cuban resident in Phoenix, Arizona, identified as "Mario", received a fine of $1,800,000 for failing to comply with a deportation order issued in 2010. The migrant claimed that he was never notified because he had been incarcerated since 2007.
What to do if you receive a similar notification?
The immigration attorney Naimeh Salem, unrelated to the case of the Houston mother, explained to the mentioned outlet that this type of fine is imposed on individuals with a final deportation order who did not leave the country when instructed by the government, and emphasized that each situation should be assessed individually.
Some individuals may have reopened cases, dismissed orders, or other circumstances that allow them to contest the sanction.
The government also offers as an alternative the voluntary self-deportation program through the CBP Home app, which includes full forgiveness of fines, free flights, and a bonus of $1,000 upon confirming departure, although this benefit does not apply to already accumulated debts.
Salem was emphatic in her recommendation for those who receive a similar letter: "Do not ignore it and seek legal advice to understand the options available in your case," given that the deadline to appeal an ICE civil fine has been reduced to 15 business days in many cases since June 2025.
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