Trump Admin Fining Migrants Thousands to Recoup Deportation Costs

ignoring deportation orders, and failing to depart the country after making commitments to an immigration judge.

Federal officials told USA Today that the government issued roughly $36 billion in fines to approximately 65,000 individuals between Jan. 20, 2025, and March 18 of this year.

Officials did not immediately disclose how many recipients had actually paid the penalties, which averaged roughly $553,000 per person.

The proposed fines would apply to individuals ordered removed “in absentia,” meaning they received final deportation orders after failing to appear for immigration court hearings.