Lawsuit Filed Against Federal Government Over Immigration Fines
A federal lawsuit was submitted on Thursday for immigrants facing substantial fines, potentially up to $1.8 million each, due to their undocumented status in the United States.
Currently, over 21,500 immigrants are charged at a rate of $998 daily. Their legal representatives argue that these individuals were making efforts to adhere to federal immigration protocols. These fines, they claim, serve as a tactic to push immigrants towards deportation.
The attorneys contend that the penalties imposed are “catastrophic civil penalties” that are “grossly disproportionate” when compared to the actual seriousness of the immigration violations, labeling them as unconstitutional.
This lawsuit, initiated in Massachusetts for the benefit of two immigrant women, aims to secure class-action status for those collectively fined more than $6 billion under the mass deportation initiatives of former President Donald Trump.
“The people we represent are simply following the law by seeking legal channels through immigration courts and federal agencies,” stated Hasan Shafiqullah, a supervising attorney with the Legal Aid Society. “Instead, they face threats from the government that could endanger their wages, vehicles, and even homes.”
One plaintiff, a Florida resident referred to as Nancy M., was told to leave the country for her safety but was still under a “supervision order,” attending yearly meetings with immigration officials in hopes of achieving lawful permanent residency.
Yet, earlier this year, she received a bill totaling approximately $1.8 million, a figure that seems to stem from being fined daily for five years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the lawsuit by labeling it “another attempt to bypass federal immigration law through activist litigation.” Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin asserted that the lawsuit is an effort by the plaintiffs to undermine federal law while residing in the U.S. illegally.
After Trump resumed office in January, his administration introduced various measures to promote deportation, including a February announcement from DHS, indicating that undocumented individuals could face “significant financial penalties” for not opting for voluntary deportation.
McLaughlin emphasized that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had a straightforward message for those entering the country illegally: “Leave now.”
“The Trump administration is committed to enforcing all immigration laws,” she added, reinforcing that there will be no selective enforcement of laws.
