Undocumented Immigrants Money Transfers Oversight to Increase

Treasury Alert on Money Transfers From Undocumented Immigrants
Greater oversight of international transfers
Stricter financial monitoring ahead

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert to money-service businesses to monitor money transfers from undocumented immigrants.

The measure requires suspicious transaction reports starting at $2,000 and is part of a broader Treasury effort to prevent illicit funds from entering or leaving the country.

This new regulatory priority will influence how international money transfers are processed and supervised.

Remittances From Undocumented Immigrants Under Greater Scrutiny

According to the notice, FinCEN warns that the U.S. records a significant volume of international transfers every year, including remittances sent by residents.

The alert seeks to identify cases in which undocumented immigrants may be moving funds derived from illicit activities, such as unauthorized employment or income illegally obtained within the country.

John K. Hurley, Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that companies must remain alert to suspicious activity and comply with laws to protect the public.

This action aligns with Executive Order 14159, aimed at strengthening financial-control mechanisms.

Oversight of International Transfers and Tax Changes

Money-service businesses must report any transaction of $2,000 or more when there are signs of possible illegal activity.

🚨 | BREAKING: Trump has ordered a national financial alert: money-transfer companies must report as ‘suspicious activity’ any cross-border transfer above $2,000 made by illegal immigrants.
According to the Treasury, the measure seeks to prevent… pic.twitter.com/BZjuSayXzn

— News Day Mundo (@NewsDayMundo) November 28, 2025

In addition, the Treasury announced that it will propose regulations to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving refundable portions of tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Concern increased after a City Journal report described fraud schemes in Minnesota, where social-assistance funds were allegedly sent to Somalia and may have ended up linked to the terrorist group Al Shabab.

How This Affects Latino Immigrants in the U.S.

For Hispanics who send money legally, the alert does not change the core requirements, but it does intensify surveillance.

Companies may request more information, verify identity with greater rigor, and delay transactions if they detect warning signs.

Among undocumented immigrants, the measure could raise concern about which types of transactions may be reported.

Some may change how they send money out of fear of investigations, even if their activity is low-risk.

What the Sources Say

“The president is right — if you’re here illegally, there’s no place for you in our financial system. Illegal aliens using our financial institutions to move illicitly obtained funds is exploitation, and it will end” wrote Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on X.

.@POTUS @realDonaldTrump is right—if you’re here illegally, there’s no place for you in our financial system.

Illegal aliens that use our financial institutions to move their illicitly obtained funds is exploitation, and it will end.https://t.co/mIy7fFWWNw.

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) November 28, 2025

What Comes Next

The Treasury will continue reinforcing oversight and moving forward with the announced tax-credit changes.

FinCEN will keep evaluating patterns of financial behavior and collaborate with state agencies to investigate alleged fraud schemes.

Regulations are expected to tighten in the coming months, with a focus on greater transparency and stronger control over international transfers — central elements of the evolving money transfer reporting rules.