Mumbai: The Trump administration is planning to fine undocumented migrants up to $998 a day if they remain in the U.S. after receiving a deportation order, Reuters reported, citing internal documents. These penalties could be applied retroactively for up to five years, potentially saddling some migrants with more than $1 million in fines.
Impact Of The Decision
The move targets around 1.4 million migrants who have been ordered deported by immigration judges but have not yet left the country. A senior official told Reuters that the administration is also weighing property seizures for those who cannot or do not pay—homes, vehicles, and other assets could be confiscated, with the Department of Justice’s civil asset forfeiture unit potentially overseeing the process. These harsh measures are based on a 1996 law first enforced during Trump’s first term in 2018.
According to Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, migrants must now use the rebranded CBP Home mobile app to “self-deport.” Failure to comply will trigger daily fines. “If they don’t, they will face the consequences,” McLaughlin said.
The Department of Homeland Security had already issued a warning about the fines via social media on March 31. Reuters reviewed emails indicating the White House has directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement the fines and assist in any asset seizures or forced sales. The Department of Justice could also step in if assets are to be auctioned.
Since Trump returned to office, his administration has aggressively pursued tougher immigration enforcement. This new push to impose retroactive financial penalties and seize property escalates that effort, aiming to compel compliance and deter overstaying. Critics say the move raises legal and humanitarian concerns, particularly about retroactivity and the scale of financial ruin it could impose on already vulnerable populations.
