Trump administration to fine migrants $998 per day for failing to leave after deportation orders
Pranjal Chandra | Apr 08, 2025, 20:15 IST
( Image credit : AP )
The Trump administration is set to impose hefty fines, up to $998 daily, on undocumented migrants who defy deportation orders, potentially reaching over $1 million. Authorities are also considering seizing assets from those failing to pay. This aggressive enforcement targets approximately 1.4 million migrants, raising civil rights concerns and potential economic devastation for mixed-status families.
In a sweeping escalation of immigration enforcement, the Trump administration is moving forward with a policy to fine undocumented migrants up to $998 per day if they remain in the U.S. after receiving a final deportation order. The administration is also considering seizing assets and property from those who fail to pay, according to internal documents and officials familiar with the plan.
The proposed penalties are based on a 1996 immigration statute, which was rarely enforced until Trump's first term. Now, under his renewed push for tougher immigration measures, the administration is looking to apply the law retroactively for up to five years, potentially levying fines that exceed $1 million per person in some cases.
A senior official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the White House is pressing for aggressive implementation, targeting an estimated 1.4 million migrants who have been ordered removed by immigration courts. These individuals, many of whom have established lives in the U.S., are now at risk of facing not only deportation but also crippling financial penalties.
The administration’s plan doesn’t stop at fines. According to internal emails, federal authorities are exploring how to confiscate property from migrants who fail to pay their fines. Discussions have centered around involving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Justice’s civil asset forfeiture division to execute seizures and sell off assets of non-compliant individuals.
One official email revealed that the White House wants CBP to handle these seizures, but a follow-up internal memo pushed back, suggesting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be better suited for the job. The memo cited technical limitations and the need for at least 1,000 additional legal staff to enforce the program.
Migrants who entered the U.S. using a Biden-era mobile application, formerly known as CBP One and now rebranded as CBP Home, are being directed to use the same app to “self-deport.”
In a recent statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned:
“If they don’t, they will face the consequences. This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order.”
The policy marks a significant reversal from the Biden administration, which had halted the imposition of such fines and dismantled many of Trump’s earlier enforcement tactics.
Critics argue the administration’s intent is not only to enforce the law but also to instill fear in immigrant communities, especially in so-called mixed-status households, where undocumented individuals live alongside U.S. citizens or green card holders. Advocacy groups warn that the policy could have devastating consequences for families, many of whom live near or below the poverty line.
According to research by FWD.us, over 10 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. live in households that include citizens or lawful residents. Many of these families could face severe economic hardship if the fines and seizures are fully implemented.
A 2019 analysis by the Migration Policy Institute found that one in four undocumented households live under the federal poverty line, underscoring the disproportionate burden the penalties would impose on the working poor.
Despite the administration's enthusiasm, the start date for the fines remains unclear. DHS has not commented on the logistics or timeline for enforcement. Internal memos highlight the lack of infrastructure within CBP to manage the rollout and hint at a costly, complex implementation process.
Still, with pressure mounting from top White House policy officials, including Stephen Miller, known for his hardline immigration stance, it appears the administration is determined to move forward.
As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Trump is doubling down on immigration as a cornerstone of his platform. This policy which threatens massive financial penalties and property loss may play well with his base, but it also sets the stage for what could be a major legal and humanitarian battle in U.S. immigration policy.
The proposed penalties are based on a 1996 immigration statute, which was rarely enforced until Trump's first term. Now, under his renewed push for tougher immigration measures, the administration is looking to apply the law retroactively for up to five years, potentially levying fines that exceed $1 million per person in some cases.
A senior official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the White House is pressing for aggressive implementation, targeting an estimated 1.4 million migrants who have been ordered removed by immigration courts. These individuals, many of whom have established lives in the U.S., are now at risk of facing not only deportation but also crippling financial penalties.
Property seizures and civil forfeiture on the table
One official email revealed that the White House wants CBP to handle these seizures, but a follow-up internal memo pushed back, suggesting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be better suited for the job. The memo cited technical limitations and the need for at least 1,000 additional legal staff to enforce the program.
The role of the CBP app: from entry to exit
In a recent statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned:
“If they don’t, they will face the consequences. This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order.”
The policy marks a significant reversal from the Biden administration, which had halted the imposition of such fines and dismantled many of Trump’s earlier enforcement tactics.
Civil rights concerns and economic impact
According to research by FWD.us, over 10 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. live in households that include citizens or lawful residents. Many of these families could face severe economic hardship if the fines and seizures are fully implemented.
A 2019 analysis by the Migration Policy Institute found that one in four undocumented households live under the federal poverty line, underscoring the disproportionate burden the penalties would impose on the working poor.
Legal and logistical hurdles remain
Still, with pressure mounting from top White House policy officials, including Stephen Miller, known for his hardline immigration stance, it appears the administration is determined to move forward.
As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Trump is doubling down on immigration as a cornerstone of his platform. This policy which threatens massive financial penalties and property loss may play well with his base, but it also sets the stage for what could be a major legal and humanitarian battle in U.S. immigration policy.