Trump To Impose Eye-Popping Fines On Illegals Who Don’t Self-Deport
The Trump administration is moving forward with a policy to impose a daily fine of $998 on undocumented immigrants who have been issued a final deportation order but fail to leave the country.
“Illegal aliens should use the CBP Home app to self-deport and leave the country now. If they don’t, they will face the consequences,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement to Fox News on Tuesday. “This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order.”
The policy is based on a provision in a 1996 immigration law that had remained dormant until it was enforced under President Trump’s administration in 2018. According to an official who spoke to Reuters, this rule will now be applied retroactively—potentially spanning up to five years—which means some individuals could owe more than $1 million in fines.
Additionally, the report highlights that the federal government could seize assets from individuals who do not pay these penalties.
A flyer obtained by Fox News Digital breaks down both the “benefits” and “consequences” of failing to self-deport via the CBP Home app. “Self-deportation is safe,” the document reads. “Leave on your own terms by picking your departure flight.”
Among the touted advantages of voluntary departure are the ability to keep earnings for non-criminal immigrants and maintaining eligibility for lawful entry into the U.S. at a later time. The flyer also notes that in some circumstances, those unable to afford travel may be eligible for subsidized flights.
On the flip side, the “consequences” section issues a warning: those who do not voluntarily leave may be “apprehended by DHS with no opportunity to get your affairs in order beforehand.”
The flyer outlines the daily $998 fine for defying a final removal order and adds another financial penalty—between $1,000 and $5,000—for individuals who declare an intent to leave but ultimately do not follow through.
“If you fail to self-deport, you may be subject to jail time,” the document warns, further stating that individuals would also be “prohibited from reentering the U.S. through the legal immigration system.”
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been actively participating in deportation operations, following through on directives issued by Trump.
On Tuesday morning, Noem led a pre-dawn immigration raid in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside nearly 100 federal agents. During the operation, three undocumented migrants were taken into custody on charges ranging from drug trafficking and weapons possession to money laundering.
According to the New York Post, which was present at the scene, Noem dodged a kick from one suspect wearing slip-on shoes, and responded with a sharp remark: “You’re not scaring me with your Croc.”
The task force—comprising agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration—arrested three undocumented individuals with extensive criminal backgrounds, the Post reported.
Wearing tactical gear, including a flak jacket and her signature two-tone gold Rolex, Noem met agents in a dimly lit underground garage to shake hands, thank them for their work, and promise greater support.
“The effort of cooperation we have between agencies is getting turned onto steroids. We have this being multiplied across the country exponentially, now anyone who’s in this country illegally that’s committing crimes and has broken our laws will face consequences,” she told the Post.
“We’ll be sweeping them up faster than we ever have before,” she added.
Before the operation, agents were briefed on the day’s targets. The convoy—led by Noem in a BearCat armored SWAT vehicle—then rolled out.
Corey Lewandowski, former Trump campaign manager and senior adviser, joined the operation as well. Introducing himself to agents as “chief of staff,” a DHS spokesperson later clarified that Lewandowski is officially an adviser to the department and holds the role of a special government employee.