WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wendy Ortiz, a 32-year-old meatpacking worker in Pennsylvania, was shocked to learn she was fined $1.8 million by U.S. immigration authorities for staying in the country illegally. Earning just $13 an hour and raising her autistic 6-year-old son, Ortiz called the penalty “not fair,” questioning how anyone could pay such a sum.
The Trump Administration’s Aggressive Fine Program
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump’s administration has begun enforcing a plan to fine undocumented immigrants who fail to leave after deportation orders. Notices have been sent to 4,500 migrants, totaling over $500 million in penalties, according to a senior administration official.
Fines are calculated at $998 per day for up to five years of unlawful presence, which can reach a maximum of $1.8 million per individual. Recipients have 30 days to contest the fines under oath and provide evidence.
Legal and Practical Challenges
Immigration lawyers across the country report that clients have received fines ranging from several thousand dollars to over $1.8 million. The enforcement is unprecedented in scale and amount, baffling many attorneys.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to clarify how it plans to collect these fines or seize property from those unable to pay. Customs and Border Protection is handling the processing of fines but is still working on the logistics for possible asset seizures.
Human Stories Behind the Fines
Ortiz fled El Salvador after facing threats from a violent ex-partner and gangs. Released to pursue asylum in 2015, she missed her 2018 hearing and was ordered deported without her knowledge. Her lawyer has sought humanitarian relief, citing her son’s medical needs.
Other migrants, including spouses of U.S. citizens, have also been fined. One Honduran man was fined $5,000 after missing a voluntary departure date due to his wife’s cancer diagnosis.
Controversy and Criticism
The fines originate from a 1996 law rarely enforced until Trump’s administration revived it. Previous attempts to fine migrants seeking sanctuary faced legal setbacks, and the Biden administration dropped the program in 2021.
Lawyers criticize the policy as overly harsh, especially on low-income immigrants with complex personal circumstances. “It’s absolutely insane,” said Ortiz’s attorney Rosina Stambaugh.
Source Attribution
Reporting based on:
- Reuters: reuters.com
- Interviews with immigration attorneys and affected individuals
**This article was written by [Frank Mooney]. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.**