25 Mar 2026 Trump Charges Filipino $1.8 Million for Overstaying
If you have an immigration case or you’re worried about a deportation order, today’s topic is very important: civil fines under Section 274D of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which can be imposed on people who fail to depart the United States after receiving a final order of removal or deportation.
In fact, recently, a Filipino received a “Notice of Violation and Order Under the Immigration and Nationality Act,” informing him that a civil penalty has been imposed upon him “in the amount of $1,820,352.” The reason? He had been ordered removed in 2019 but did not depart the U.S.
Many people don’t realize that immigration penalties are not just about removal from the U.S. In some situations, the government may also impose daily financial penalties.
In this article, I’ll explain:
- What is INA Section 274D?
- Who can be fined?
- How much the fines can be
- And what people with immigration cases should keep in mind.
As always, this article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should consult with an attorney about your individual case, especially if you have an outstanding deportation order from the old asylum case, or you did not attend the hearing, etc.
First, what is Section 274D of the Immigration and Nationality Act?
Section 274D allows the U.S. government to impose civil monetary penalties against certain non-citizens who do not comply with a removal order. In simple terms, if a person has already been ordered removed or deported from the United States, and they willfully refuse or fail to leave, the government may impose fines.
Who can be fined?
Generally, the fines can apply to someone who:
- Has a final order of removal or deportation, and
- Willfully fails or refuses to depart the United States, or
- Conspires to prevent their removal, or
- Takes actions that make it harder for the government to carry out their removal.
In other words, once the immigration court process is finished, including any appeals, and a final order is issued, the person is expected to leave the country within the time allowed. If they do not leave, the government may begin assessing fines.
How much are these fines?
The law allows the government to impose civil penalties that can accrue daily for failing to depart after the removal order.
Section 274D provides that the fines can be up to $500 per day, but increase to $998 per day.
Because enforcement policies can change, I want to be careful here: I cannot say with certainty how often these fines are currently being imposed in practice, but the legal authority to impose them does exist. In fact, it has been reported that since June 2025, DHS has issued over 9,000 of these notices, for a total of at least $3 billion in fines.
If fines accumulate over months or years, the total amount could potentially become very large and can reach millions of dollars, as was shown with the Filipino who had been ordered deported in 2019.
Why does this matter for non-citizens with immigration cases?
Many kababayans in the United States may have:
- Old deportation orders
- Missed immigration court hearings
- Or have unresolved removal cases.
Sometimes people think that if they simply stay quiet and remain in the U.S., nothing will happen. But immigration law can create long-term consequences, including:
- Bars to returning to the United States
- Possible detention if encountered by immigration authorities
- And in some cases, financial penalties like these civil fines.
Another important point: failing to depart after a removal order can also make it harder to reopen or resolve your immigration case later. That’s why it’s extremely important to understand your legal situation.
If you or a family member has received a final order of removal, you should strongly consider consulting with a qualified immigration attorney to review possible options, such as:
- Appeal of the fine, which has a 15-day deadline
- Motions to reopen
- Motions to reconsider
- Possible forms of relief
- Or other strategies or defenses, depending on the facts of the case.
Let me also clarify something very important: not everyone with a deportation order will automatically be fined. Enforcement can depend on many factors, including government priorities and whether immigration authorities are actively pursuing the case.
If you have a deportation order, or you are not sure, you should consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, and determine if you have any pathway to legalization or defenses, and can perhaps assist you with any appeal, motion or application.
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