The Trump administration has imposed fines on illegal immigrants who haven’t left the country, as reported.
Since January, when Trump assumed office, these fines have accumulated to at least $6.1 billion. Some individuals have received fines in the millions after being ordered to exit the U.S., even as many continue to reside in the country. This information comes from the Wall Street Journal.
To date, around 21,500 fines have been handed out, with adjustments reaching nearly $1,000 per day in some cases.
There’s an instance of a Brooklyn restaurant worker who, ordered to leave in 1998, was hit with a staggering $1.8 million fine in June due to retroactive daily fines.
The Journal highlighted that individuals facing these fines are often threatened with lawsuits from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and face challenges from debt collectors and potential IRS tax penalties. On the flip side, those who leave the U.S. voluntarily can receive a type of reward.
A senior DHS official mentioned, “It’s an easy choice: take a $1,000 check for leaving, or stay and face fines.” The implication was clear—staying could lead to even worse consequences.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described the approach as a straightforward response to those who disregard immigration laws. “These fines target illegal aliens who neglect removal orders and don’t adhere to voluntary departure agreements,” she remarked.
However, some view this as a calculated move to push illegal immigrants out. An immigration lawyer, Latoya McBean Pompey, likened it to a psychological tactic. She noted, “The pressure on immigrants makes them feel as if they have everything to lose by remaining in the U.S., pushing them to simply leave.”
