The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new financial pressure tool targeting irregular immigrants with final deportation orders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun imposing a $998 fine on these individuals for each day they remain in the country.
According to the New York Times, more than 100,000 immigrants have been sent fine notices so far. The fines can reach up to $1.8 million per person over five years, the legal maximum.
Authority dating back to 1996 used at this scale for the first time
The legal basis for this fine practice dates back to 1996. However, previous U.S. administrations did not use this authority on a large scale. Trump revived the practice at the start of his second term, after attempting it during his first presidency but facing administrative hurdles, and ordered the collection of all fines.
Immigrants are forced to choose between leaving the U.S. and leaving behind their lives and families, or facing massive debts that could lead to the seizure of their assets and the transfer of their cases to collection agencies.
$1.8 million fine shock for Mexican immigrant
The New York Times reported the story of Vivi Vasquez, a Mexican who has lived in the U.S. for 17 years and has a humanitarian visa application and official work permit. While awaiting the outcome of her application, Vasquez received a notice demanding over $1.8 million in fines due to a prior deportation order against her.
The notice also stated that the fines would be waived if she used a government program called "self-deportation" and voluntarily left the country. Vasquez said she experienced great anxiety and sleeplessness, but her lawyer later managed to get the fine canceled.
However, immigration lawyers say this outcome is exceptional, and that most appeals against the fines are rejected, even in critical humanitarian cases.
103,000 fines, $84 billion accrued
According to DHS data, more than 103,000 fines were issued from January 2025 to mid-July 2026. The total amount of fines accrued exceeded $84 billion, while the amount actually collected in the same period was only $1.2 million.
Despite this, the administration has brought in private companies to collect the fines, made deductions from tax refunds, and begun garnishing the wages of some immigrants. The Justice Department has also filed lawsuits against those who do not pay.
Claims of unconstitutionality and legal battle
Human rights organizations and lawyers have filed numerous lawsuits, arguing that the fines violate constitutional guarantees, due process, and the prohibition on excessive fines. Critics claim the government is automatically imposing the fines without considering immigrants' individual circumstances or legal applications.
The Trump administration, on the other hand, argues that continuing to stay in the country after a final deportation order does not eliminate liability or stop the accrual of fines, even if a new legal status application is made.
As the legal battles continue, many immigrants fear that this financial pressure will turn into a widespread tool to force them to leave the U.S. out of fear of losing their savings, homes, and their families' futures.
Ridvan Sezer | Editor-in-Chief
