The Trump administration plans to fine migrants under deportation orders up to $998 a day if they fail to leave the United States and to seize their property if they do not pay. These fines stem from a 1996 law that was enforced for the first time in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office. The administration is considering applying the penalties retroactively for up to five years, potentially resulting in fines of over $1 million.
The Department of Homeland Security is urging immigrants to use a mobile app to self-deport and leave the country to avoid these fines. The administration is also considering seizing the property of immigrants who do not pay the fines. President Trump had previously levied fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars against migrants seeking sanctuary in churches, and President Biden stopped issuing fines and rescinded related policies when he took office.
The proposed asset seizures could impact U.S. citizens or permanent residents in households with migrants who fail to comply with deportation orders. The steep fines could particularly impact lower-income immigrants living in mixed-status households. The White House and a top official, Stephen Miller, have been pressuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection to administer the fines and handle seizures, but some within the agency argue that it may not have the necessary systems and resources to do so effectively. The start date for the fines remains unclear.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
