ICE's $1,000-a-day fines pressure immigrants to self-deport

"The Trump administration has launched an initiative to collect more than $6 billion in fines from immigrants who have remained in the country despite receiving deportation orders. These fines, issued under the president's new immigration policy, represent a financial expansion of immigration enforcement beyond deportations. In recent months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have escalated their efforts to turn deportation denial into a financial issue."

"They have sent notices to immigrants threatening lawsuits, debt collectors, and even tax implications if fines are not paid. Furthermore, the agencies remind people that if they self-deport, the balance will be eliminated and a $1,000 exit bonus will be granted. They also warn that those who remain in the country risk increasingly severe penalties, some as high as $1,000 a day. This affects immigrants already living paycheck to paycheck."

The Trump administration is pursuing collection of more than $6 billion in fines from immigrants who remained in the country after receiving deportation orders. DHS and ICE have escalated tactics to convert deportation denial into a financial matter by sending notices threatening lawsuits, private debt collectors, tax consequences and seizure of federal payments. Agencies offer elimination of balances and a $1,000 exit bonus for self-deportation while warning of penalties up to $1,000 per day for remaining. Retroactive fines can exceed $1 million for long-term presence. The Treasury Debt Collection Service will work with ICE to recover funds, including seizing tax refunds.

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