Immigrant Mother Fined $1.8 Million Successfully Appeals Penalty
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
HOUSTON – An immigrant mother in Houston received a fine related to her immigration status amounting to $1,820,352, according to a notification from the federal government. After seeking legal advice and appealing the case, the fine was eliminated. The woman reported receiving the first letter on July 9 and had about 30 days to respond. Initially, she thought it might be a scam, but decided to consult with an immigration attorney, who confirmed that the notification was legitimate. She recounted that after responding to the notification, she was presented with two options: to set up a payment plan of approximately $3,000 a month or to leave the country with her family through self-deportation. 'I didn’t have that amount,' the mother said, adding that she also received documents for a possible voluntary departure from the country. With legal assistance, the woman appealed the case. She explained that since 2021, she has been undergoing an immigration process related to a U visa and later received a work permit and Social Security number. On August 10, she received an email notification from the Department of Homeland Security informing her that her case had been annulled and closed, eliminating the $1.8 million fine. Naimeh Salem, an immigration attorney not involved in the case, explained that such fines can be imposed on individuals with a final deportation order who did not leave the country when instructed by the government. The attorney noted that each situation should be reviewed individually, as some individuals may have cases reopened, orders dismissed, or other circumstances that allow them to contest the fine. The recommendation for those receiving a similar notification is to not ignore it and to seek legal advice to understand the available options in their case.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
