ICE Removal Flights Continue: What It Means If You Face Deportation
ICE ran removal flights during the week ending June 19, 2026, and the agency says the pace will not slow down. For anyone currently in removal proceedings, that timeline is not abstract — it is personal. Here is what the deadlines look like and what options remain.
ICE removal flights departed during the week ending June 19, 2026, carrying individuals convicted of serious crimes including sex offenses, drug smuggling, and murder. Marcos Charles, Executive Associate Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, stated that the agency's mission is not slowing down and that officers are working daily to identify, arrest, and remove people who pose threats to public safety.
What removal operations mean for immigrants in proceedings
ICE removal flights run on a regular schedule. If you are currently in removal proceedings — meaning an immigration judge has the power to order you deported — the pace of enforcement matters. Once a final order of removal is issued, ICE can move quickly. You have 30 days from the date of a removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Missing that window can end your options in the US.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
If you already have a final order and need more time, two tools exist. First, you can file a Motion to Reopen your case — but only within 90 days of the final order. Second, you can apply for an I-246 Stay of Deportation (a formal request to pause your removal) directly with ICE. The filing fee for an I-246 Stay of Deportation is $155. Neither option guarantees you will stay, but both can buy critical time while you pursue other relief.
Voluntary departure is another path some people choose. It lets you leave the US on your own terms rather than being forcibly removed. An immigration judge can grant up to 120 days of voluntary departure. Leaving voluntarily may reduce the bars to returning legally in the future — forced removal typically triggers a 10-year bar on re-entry.
What to do
- If you received a removal order, count the date carefully — you have 30 days to appeal to the BIA. Do not wait.
- If the 30-day appeal window has passed, ask an immigration lawyer whether a Motion to Reopen (90-day deadline from the final order) applies to your case.
- If removal is imminent, ask your lawyer about filing an I-246 Stay of Deportation with ICE. The fee is $155.
- Ask about voluntary departure if you have not yet received a final order — up to 120 days may be available, and it can affect your ability to return legally.
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Anyone with a final order of removal should treat the 30-day BIA appeal deadline as a hard stop — courts rarely grant exceptions. If that window has closed, a Motion to Reopen filed within 90 days of the final order is often the last procedural lifeline, especially if new evidence or changed country conditions exist. An I-246 Stay of Deportation can pause physical removal while other relief is pursued, but it is discretionary and not guaranteed — consult an immigration attorney before ICE schedules your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to appeal a removal order?
You have 30 days from the date the immigration judge issues the removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This deadline is strict. Missing it usually means losing your right to appeal.
What is a Motion to Reopen and when can I file one?
A Motion to Reopen asks the immigration court to reconsider your case — for example, if new evidence exists or your situation has changed. You generally have 90 days from the final removal order to file one. An immigration lawyer can tell you whether your situation qualifies.
Can I stop a deportation flight after a final order is issued?
You can apply for an I-246 Stay of Deportation directly with ICE. The fee is $155. ICE has discretion to approve or deny it. A federal court injunction is another option in some cases. Neither is guaranteed, so act as early as possible.
What is the difference between voluntary departure and deportation?
Voluntary departure means you leave the US on your own before a forced removal happens. A judge can grant up to 120 days. Leaving voluntarily may reduce future re-entry bars. Forced deportation typically triggers a 10-year bar on returning legally to the US.