At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. On Monday, October 5, 2026, U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Boston blocked the government’s policy of imposing civil fines of up to $1.8 million on immigrants who did not leave the U.S. after receiving a final order of removal.
If you or a relative received one of these notices, this news affects you directly. Below, we explain what we know, what we don’t, and what you can do.
What Were These Immigration Fines?
A 1996 law known as IIRIRA allows the government to impose civil penalties on people who fail to leave after a final removal order. According to Reuters, no administration used that power until Donald Trump’s first term. Since last year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has charged $998 for every day a person remained, applied retroactively for up to five years, which is how fines reached $1.8 million.
In July 2025, DHS and the Justice Department streamlined the process, eliminating a 30-day notice period and shortening the window to challenge a penalty. According to DHS itself, as of July of this year it had issued more than 103,000 fines totaling about $84 billion.
What Did the Judge Decide?
The case is a class action brought by two fined immigrants together with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. Judge O’Toole found the fines unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), because the forms used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were boilerplate and did not explain why each person’s conduct warranted a penalty.
He also found that the streamlined process was adopted without giving the public a chance to comment, as the law requires. The judge warned that collecting the fines would likely drive people who already live “in an economically precarious position” into insolvency. One plaintiff, who works more than 60 hours a week at two jobs, was fined more than $1.8 million, The Hill reported.
Does the Ruling Cancel Your Removal Order?
No. This is the most important distinction. The decision halts the fine mechanism, but:
- The removal order still stands: the ruling does not cancel or pause it.
- It does not grant status: it creates no work permit and no protection from an ICE arrest.
- It may change: the government can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
- The exact scope is not yet clear: how the order applies to each case and each notice already issued still needs to be reviewed.
So a blocked fine does not mean your immigration situation is resolved.
What Can You Do If You Received a Fine Notice?
- Do not pay without advice: before signing a payment plan or sending money, ask an attorney whether the charge is still enforceable.
- Keep every document: the notice, the envelope, the date you received it, and any response you sent.
- Do not ignore deadlines: even with the policy blocked, get guidance before any date listed on the notice passes.
- Review your removal order: in some cases there may be options such as a motion to reopen. Only an attorney can evaluate that.
- Beware of middlemen: no one can “erase” your fine or your order in exchange for a quick payment.
In a country where every decision can change your future, having the right information is your best tool. To recall how the system worked, see our July explainer on fines of nearly $1,000 a day and the self-deportation plan.
Protect Your Immigration Status with Campos Law Firm
A fine of thousands or millions of dollars is frightening, but you should not make decisions in the dark. Our immigration attorneys can review your notice and your removal order and explain your options honestly. We do not make unrealistic promises. We provide serious legal representation backed by preparation and integrity.
Do not leave your immigration status to chance. Call us today at +1 (844) 922-6767 to schedule a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish. Campos Law Firm: Legal Solutions in All Areas of Law.
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