Secure America Act: $70B for ICE Removal Operations
President Trump signed the Secure America Act on June 10, 2026, locking in nearly $70 billion for DHS immigration enforcement through 2029. ICE confirmed it ran removal operations through the July 4th holiday week without pause. For anyone in removal proceedings or with an open immigration case, this level of sustained funding changes the urgency of every deadline.
President Donald Trump signed the Secure America Act into law on June 10, 2026. The law gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nearly $70 billion in funding for immigration enforcement through fiscal year 2029. That money goes directly to agencies like ICE — the agency that arrests and deports people.
What This Means for People in Removal Proceedings
More funding means more ICE officers, more deportation flights, and more enforcement operations. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Executive Associate Director Marcos Charles confirmed that ICE continued removal operations through the July 4th holiday week, calling it part of the agency's ongoing public safety mission. With four years of guaranteed funding now locked in, immigration lawyers say enforcement activity is unlikely to slow down.
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If you are in removal proceedings — meaning an immigration judge is deciding whether you can stay in the US — this funding environment makes acting quickly more urgent. You have 30 days from an order of removal to file an appeal. A motion to reopen your case must be filed within 90 days. Missing either deadline can end your options. If you need more time before deportation, you can file Form I-246 (a request to stay, or pause, your deportation) — the filing fee is $155. If you are appealing a denial of an immigration benefit, Form I-290B (Notice of Appeal) costs $800.
What to Do
- Know your deadlines. You have 30 days to appeal a removal order and 90 days to file a motion to reopen your case. Both clocks start the day the order is issued.
- If you cannot leave immediately and need more time, ask an immigration lawyer about filing Form I-246 (Stay of Deportation) — the fee is $155.
- If you have a pending green card application or other benefit, make sure your attorney knows about the Secure America Act's enforcement priorities — it may affect how quickly ICE acts on your case.
- Contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible if you have received any notice from ICE or the immigration court. Do not wait.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
With the Secure America Act guaranteeing DHS enforcement funding through FY2029, people in removal proceedings should treat every deadline as final — courts rarely grant extensions. If you have received a removal order, the 30-day appeal window and the 90-day motion-to-reopen window run simultaneously from the date of the order, and missing either one typically closes that avenue permanently. Consult an immigration attorney right away to assess which option fits your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Secure America Act and how does it affect me?
The Secure America Act, signed June 10, 2026, gives DHS nearly $70 billion for immigration enforcement through fiscal year 2029. In practice, it means ICE has more resources to carry out arrests, detentions, and deportations — including during holidays. If you have an open immigration case, this makes acting on deadlines more urgent.
How long do I have to appeal a removal order?
You have 30 days from the date of the removal order to file an appeal. You also have 90 days to file a motion to reopen your case. These are separate options, and both deadlines are strict. Missing them usually means losing those legal paths.
What is Form I-246 and when should I use it?
Form I-246 is a request to stay (pause) your deportation. It gives you more time while you pursue other legal options. The filing fee is $155. Lawyers typically recommend filing it when a removal is imminent and you still have a pending appeal or other relief available.
Can ICE deport me even if I have a pending green card or visa application?
In some cases, yes. A pending application does not automatically stop a removal order. You may need to ask the immigration court or ICE for a stay of removal while your application is processed. An immigration attorney can tell you whether your specific situation qualifies for protection from deportation.