Trump Admin Fining Migrants Thousands to Recoup Deportation Costs

Homeland Security published the proposed fee increase in the Federal Register on May 20 and is accepting public comments on the policy through June 22.

Congress directed DHS last year to begin imposing the fines.

Federal officials are now proposing to increase the penalties from $5,130 to approximately $18,000 per migrant after calculating estimated government costs tied to locating, arresting, detaining, and deporting an individual, said the outlet.

DHS has already increased several other immigration-related penalties in recent years, including fines for illegally crossing the border,