Unlawful Presence and Overstay Was He Wrongfully Given a 20 Year Bar

My father had voluntary deportation order in 1996, but he did not leave. Twenty three years later he was detained by ice while he was working and deported to Guatemala. The only part I am confused is they gave my father a 20 years bar for reentry when he had never left the states. I thought its supposed to be a 10 year bar but deportation officer inform him that it is a new law states its 20 year bar? so was he wrongfully given extra bars or I am not well inform enough? He has no criminal record and has two american citizen sons

Unlawful Presence and Overstay Was He Wrongfully Given a 20 Year Bar