ICE, HSI SOP 25-01: Interim SOP for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties

Foreword The Interim Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties provides interim guidance for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents when imposing, or contemplating to impose, civil fines and penalties for document fraud violations under Section 274C of the Immigration and Nationality Act within the scope of their authorities. Oversight for this Interim SOP resides with the Unit Chief, Document, Benefit & Worksite Enforcement Unit (DBWSEU). This SOP supersedes HSI SOP 18-01, Interim SOP for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties, dated October 23, 2018. The Interim SOP for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties is an internal policy of HSI.

It is not intended, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any administrative, civil, or criminal matter, nor are any limitations hereby placed on otherwise lawful enforcement prerogatives of ICE. This Interim SOP is For Official Use Only (FOUO) – Law Enforcement Sensitive. It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with Department of Homeland Security policy relating to FOUO information and the ICE Directive on Safeguarding Law Enforcement Sensitive Information. This information shall not be distributed beyond the original addressees without prior authorization of the originator.

If disclosure of this Interim SOP or any portion of it is demanded in any judicial or administrative proceeding, the HSI Information Disclosure Unit, as well as the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, should be consulted so that appropriate measures can be taken to invoke privileges against disclosure. This Interim SOP contains information which may be exempt from disclosure to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, Title 5, United States Code, Section 552(b), and protected from disclosure pursuant to the law enforcement privilege. Any further requests for disclosure of this Interim SOP or information contained herein should be referred to the HSI Information Disclosure Unit. All suggested changes or updates to this Interim SOP should be submitted to DBWSEU.

Acting Executive Associate Director Homeland Security Investigations _____ ____________________ Date _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Interim SOP for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE March 24, 2025(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)(b) (6), (b) (7)(C) he form of a cashier’s check, bank check, or money order made payable to “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” referencing the FSC-B invoice number, and sent to: Financial Service Center – Burlington Attn: Document Fraud Penalties U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement P.O. Box 5000 Williston, VT 05495 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Interim SOP for 274C Civil Document Fraud Penalties LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE March 24, 2025 8