The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it has already issued more than $84 billion in civil fines to illegal aliens who remain in the United States after receiving final orders of removal. According to the agency, federal authorities have levied over 103,000 total fine notices against non-citizens and illegal aliens since the start of the Trump administration’s crackdown. The dynamic relies on “revived statutory penalty authorizing fines of up to $998 per day” for individuals who refuse to voluntarily depart the country after a deportation order becomes final. [snip] However, according to analysts, the provision was rarely utilized by prior administrations due to the reality that most of these individuals subject to removal lacked the assets to pay. To overcome these challenges, the DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have reportedly “overhauled the enforcement framework.” Under rules enacted in mid-2025, federal authorities eliminated a mandatory 30-day notice of intent, authorized immigration officers to mail direct fine notices via standard mail and shortened the window for individuals to contest or appeal penalties to just 15 business days. [snip] Officials emphasize that these measures are intended to incentivize compliance with federal court orders, describing the financial penalties as an alternative to voluntary departure. Alongside the financial measures, the Trump administration has structured an exit mechanism tied to its “CBP Home” app. Under current regulations, undocumented individuals who agree to self-deport using the app are granted complete forgiveness of all accrued civil fines, provided with a free return flight to their country of origin and issued a $2,600 exit bonus. If you’re here illegally, you have until the end of this song to go. Download the CBP Home App and self-deport today. pic.twitter.com/bIuXwEgdxQ— CBP (@CBP) May 20, 2026 However, class-action lawsuits filed in federal court argue that the penalties “violate the 8th Amendment’s protection against excessive fines,” as well as “5th Amendment due process rights,” citing alleged instances where notices were sent to outdated addresses or applied to individuals with pending status applications. [snip] Despite the litigation, the DHS has since maintained its position that the legal authority to assess penalties is grounded in statute, signaling that fine collection efforts and targeted lawsuits will “remain a pillar of federal immigration policy.” (*) Full article: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/dhs-govt-has-issued-84b-in-civil-fines-to-illegal-aliens-who-remain-in-u-s-after-receiving-final-orders-of-removal/ Post navigation Teen basketball players accused of stealing from Florida 7-Eleven — and their coach lied to protect them, officials say House Republicans confront NJ governor over 6,600 noncitizens registered to vote in alleged software failure
