The Trump administration wants to increase fines for those living in the country illegally. Under current rules, the government can begin issuing penalties 30 days after informing someone of their presence in the U.S. without authorization, a rule introduced by President Donald Trump during his first term.
The rule had been abolished by Joe Biden, only to be reintroduced by the Republican president in his second term. However, a new federal report reveals that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice plan to completely abolish the 30-day waiting limit and immediately issue fines to those who overstay their visas.
The new penalties start at $100 to $500 for those who enter the states illegally, and can go up to $1,000 a day for those who fail to comply with deportation orders. “DHS believes that the nature of the failure-to-depart and unlawful entry penalties supports the need for more streamlined procedures,” the report reads.
“The law doesn’t enforce itself; there must be consequences for breaking it,” Assistant Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin added, “President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem are standing up for law and order and making our government more effective and efficient at enforcing the American people’s immigration laws. Financial penalties like these are just one more reason why illegal aliens should use CBP Home to self-deport now before it’s too late.”
In June, DHS issued about 10,000 fines, totaling $3 billion. According to the agency’s report, those who self-deport using the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app will be exempt from paying fines.
According to the latest rumors, the Trump administration is also considering confiscating the property of immigrants who do not pay the fines.
Although the unfortunate recipients of the fines can challenge them in court, the threat itself is intended to convince people to self-deport. “Their point isn’t really to enforce the law, it’s to project fear in communities,” said Scott Shuchart, a former ICE policy official under the Biden administration.
