Government’s Use of Debt Collectors for Immigrant Fines
Government officials are reportedly employing debt collection agencies to levy significant fines on immigrants who fail to comply with judges’ departure orders from the United States.
Since January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security has assessed at least $36 billion in fines against around 65,000 immigrants. It’s worth noting that approximately 1.5 million immigrants have been instructed to return to their home countries but have yet to do so.
Attorneys challenging this initiative intend to approach a judge in Massachusetts on May 13 to contest the imposition of these fines.
A landscaper, who has lived in the U.S. for two decades, received a debt collection notice that left him in shock. The Arizona Mirror reported that Mr. Sanchez felt anxiety upon getting a letter from the Department of Homeland Security. What he found in that letter was unprecedented: a stunning fine of $1,820,252.00.
Coming from Cuba, Sanchez and his family arrived in the United States two decades ago, and he was taken aback by the fine. The Arizona Mirror chose not to disclose his full name due to concerns over possible retaliation for speaking out.
Sanchez’s predicament is emblematic of a broader trend, as the Department of Homeland Security is imposing charges of $998 daily for non-compliance. This means fines can accumulate for up to five years, with Sanchez and many others facing fines around the $1.8 million mark.
The fines are escalating, roughly $1,000 for each additional day an immigrant remains in the U.S.
This enforcement strategy is part of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda following a deportation order issued in November 2024. The underlying belief appears to be that reducing the immigrant population could lead to higher wages and lower housing costs for young American workers, thereby pressuring politicians to prioritize U.S. citizens over immigrants.
There’s an economic angle to this, too; as immigrants leave, firms might be motivated to invest in advanced technology that can enhance the productivity and wages of American workers, especially in the face of global competition, particularly from countries like China.
However, Democrats oppose these enforcement measures, suggesting they could disproportionately affect poorer immigrants who depend on benefits coordinated by local political entities.
Senator Alex Padilla from California expressed his concerns, stating that this tactic seems designed to exacerbate the hardships faced by many individuals. “I can only imagine my own anxiety if I received such a fine, especially when families are already feeling the pinch financially,” he noted.
Immigration attorneys are pushing back against these policies, which they believe could threaten their livelihoods. “Naturally, folks are going to be anxious,” said attorney Hasan Shafiqullah.
As Public Justice attorney Charles Moore pointed out, there’s an intention from the government to collaborate with the private sector to make enforcement efforts less harsh and damaging.
A website called NoImmigrationFines.org, backed by several left-leaning organizations, highlights the legality of these fines. It also guides immigrants on how to contest them, encouraging claims that the fines violate their rights—including the right to a jury trial.
Some immigrants are prompted to argue that these fines not only cause emotional distress but are excessive and disproportionate. “I was never warned of a potential fine like this,” one immigrant lamented.
ABC7 in San Diego shared another story of a house cleaner who expressed her shock upon discovering a $1.82 million fine. Coming to the U.S. from Mexico at about 13 years old, she wasn’t aware of a judge’s order issued in 2003 for many years. It wasn’t until immigration officials contacted her in 2013 that she learned about it, at which point she began seeking a legal status adjustment.
A spokesperson for DHS clarified that having a pending green card application does not grant legal status. They emphasized that the current administration intends to enforce the law strictly.
DHS countered criticism of the fines, asserting that it encourages voluntary departures through its CBP Home app, which offers benefits for returning home legally. Those who remain in the U.S. face escalating fines, alongside the risk of arrest and deportation.
