Staggering Fine for Southern California Woman Seeking Residency

A woman from Southern California is facing a shocking fine of $1.82 million from the Department of Homeland Security for being in the country illegally. She claims to have spent 13 years trying to secure her legal permanent residency, doing what she thought was the right thing.

For her safety, she asked to remain anonymous and described the moment she received the letter as incredibly frightening. “I was shocked,” she recalled. “When I saw the $1.82 million figure, it felt a bit insane.”

Having come to the U.S. from Mexico about three decades ago at the age of 13, a judge issued a voluntary departure order for her in 2003. However, she wasn’t aware of it until immigration officials contacted her in 2013.

“I have been pursuing the case ever since,” she stated defiantly. “I’ve fought too long to do what’s right.”

Her attorney, William Menard, emphasized that she has no criminal record and has complied with immigration instructions while seeking a green card through her U.S. father and three adult children. Unfortunately, her case has been stuck in bureaucracy, with requested exemptions getting lost in a slow system.

A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security noted that “pending green card applications do not confer legal status to remain in our country.” They also mentioned that the Trump administration is committed to enforcing immigration laws strictly.

“Our message is clear: Undocumented people in the country illegally should leave now or face punishment,” the statement read.

Since Trump took office, undocumented immigrants have faced over $6.1 billion in fines, including some individuals who are being billed millions for staying in the U.S. after deportation orders.

Menard pointed out that the original fine associated with her 2003 voluntary departure order was a maximum of $5,000. He argued that DHS had previously allowed her to stay while her case was processed.

“She’s not hiding. The government knows exactly who she is, where she is, and what she’s doing,” Menard remarked. “After years of compliance, this fine feels sudden and unfair.”

For the woman, paying such an immense fine is simply unaffordable as she works as a house cleaner. “They know these people can’t pay nearly $2 million in fines. That’s not going to happen,” Menard added.

In a similar situation, another individual in Seattle has received a nearly $2 million bill from DHS for not complying with a removal order.

Federal authorities have stated that the fine is a civil penalty for failing to leave the U.S. after a deportation order.

One immigration lawyer shared that her clients, who fled the Vietnam War and settled in the U.S. in the early 1980s, are also struggling with their residency status. “He was just five years old when he arrived, and now he’s in his late 40s,” she explained.