Million-Dollar Fines of Up to $1.8 Million for Immigrants Who Ignore Deportation Orders: Number of Affected Continues to Grow

• Fines of Up to $1.8 Million for Immigrants
• Deportation notifications on the rise
• Risk of asset seizure for non-payment

Thousands of immigrants in the United States are receiving letters with sanctions that could change their lives.

Although these fines have existed for years under immigration law, their mass enforcement is a recent phenomenon.

The federal government has begun sending notices to individuals with final removal orders who never left the country as required by law.

These letters detail fines of up to $998 for each day the person has remained in the U.S. without authorization.

Soaring Fines Raise Alarm Among Immigrants

“The collection of fines from individuals with removal orders exists in law and has always existed,” explains Armando Olmedo, immigration legal advisor at TelevisaUnivision.

The difference now is that in May of this year, the government ramped up the mailing of these fine notices to immigrants with prior deportation orders.

In the first week alone, more than 4,500 people were notified.

Depending on how long someone has stayed in the U.S. after receiving a deportation order, the amount owed can exceed one million dollars.

For example, if the fine is calculated retroactively over five years, the total can reach $1.8 million per person.

These fines apply only to individuals who have an active deportation order issued by an immigration court, and did not comply with the mandatory departure.

The government has made clear that if the amount is not paid, it may proceed with seizing assets.

Homes, vehicles, and bank accounts could be seized as means of enforcement.

“That’s logical,” says Olmedo. “In any legal process, if you don’t pay a fine, the next step is asset seizure. The government has already stated its intent to do so.”

Is it possible to appeal or reduce the fine?

Yes—but doing so involves significant risk.

A person can appeal the fine if they can prove they were not properly notified or were unaware of the deportation order.

“The problem is, to negotiate the fine, the person must appear before ICE,” Olmedo clarifies.

This could trigger a new deportation process or reactivate a previous case.

The only way to negotiate or reduce the fine is to show up in person at an ICE office—an act that poses a direct threat for many immigrants.

For this reason, experts urge people to consult an immigration lawyer immediately.

Check Immigration Records to Avoid Unfair Penalties

Verifying one’s immigration history and confirming the existence of a removal order is crucial before taking any action.

Meanwhile, social media and community forums are already signaling growing concern.

“They’re laughing at our tragedy,” said activists, denouncing the Secretary of State and Republican representatives from South Florida.

These voices reflect the sentiments of many who see the policy as a double punishment for vulnerable communities.

The retroactive enforcement of these fines is creating a climate of fear, uncertainty, and mistrust in the legal process.

The true scope of this measure is only just beginning to emerge.

What do you think? Is this policy a tool of justice—or a form of intimidation against immigrant communities?

Source: Univision