The US Department of Homeland Security has ratified all final civil penalties assessed under its interim immigration-penalty regulations, in a notice signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin that was made public on Friday, October 23 and published in the Federal Register on Monday, October 26.
Source: Federal Register (via Imigrus)
The ratification covers final penalty decisions issued between June 27, 2025 and October 13, 2026 under the interim regulations at 8 CFR Part 281. It does not cover penalties that were revoked on appeal, are still pending on appeal, or were reopened and nullified, according to reporting on the notice.
Source: CubaHeadlines
The penalties at issue are the civil fines Congress authorised for willfully failing or refusing to depart after a final removal order — up to $998 for each day — for failing to leave within a voluntary-departure period, and for unlawful entry or attempted entry, set at $100 to $500 for each entry.
Source: Melvin Law Group
A 21-day claim window — not a new appeal
Under the notice, a person who believes they were prejudiced by the interim procedure can send ICE a claim. DHS says claims from people who say they were prejudiced can be sent to ICE by November 16 — 21 days after the notice's Federal Register publication. The claim window is not a fresh appeal, and filing a claim does not guarantee that a fine will be reduced or cancelled.
Source: Melvin Law Group
The ratification follows the final rule that took effect on October 14, 2026, which made the June 2025 interim system permanent with one change: ICE may accept a late appeal when the person documents a mail-delivery delay beyond their control. Ordinary appeals against a penalty must be filed within 15 business days of service and are decided by an ICE supervisor on the written record, with no appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Source: Federal Register final rule (via NoticeWatch)
Awaaz Punjab reported the final penalty rule when it took effect earlier this month. Read the earlier report
Anyone who received a final penalty decision in the covered period should check the date and status of their decision — whether it is final, and whether any appeal is pending — before the November 16 claim deadline, and take advice from an immigration lawyer on their own case. This report is general information, not legal advice.