Trump Administration Imposes Massive Civil Fines on Undocumented Immigrants

The Trump administration has significantly expanded the use of civil fines against undocumented immigrants, with some individuals receiving penalties of up to $1.8 million for remaining in the United States after receiving deportation orders.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), more than 103,000 notices have been issued since January 2025, demanding nearly $84 billion in total fines from individuals who allegedly failed to leave the country after final removal orders.

Under the policy, immigrants can be fined $998 for each day they remain in the United States after an immigration judge orders their removal. Although federal law limits the collection period to five years, the accumulated penalties can exceed $1.8 million per person.

The administration says the policy is intended to encourage people without legal status to leave the country voluntarily. Some notices also offer to waive the fines if recipients choose to self-deport using the CBP Home mobile application.

The government has also warned that unpaid fines could be referred to private debt collection agencies, reported to credit bureaus, recovered through lawsuits, or collected by seizing tax refunds and garnishing wages.

Immigration attorneys and civil rights organizations have challenged the policy in federal court, arguing that the penalties violate constitutional protections against excessive fines and fail to provide adequate due process.

Lawyers say some immigrants facing fines have pending immigration applications or humanitarian relief claims, raising concerns that the policy could unfairly affect people who may still have legal avenues to remain in the United States.

Despite the legal challenges, DHS said enforcement continues. As of mid-July, the agency had collected more than $1.2 million in fines while pursuing additional collection actions against thousands of immigrants.

Source: The New York Times