An undocumented immigrant from Honduras, residing in Florida and the mother of three American children, is facing a civil penalty of 1.82 million dollars imposed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after failing to comply with a deportation order issued in 2005.
According to a report by CBS News, the 41-year-old woman received a formal notification from ICE on May 9, demanding the payment of 500 dollars for each day she has remained in the United States since she was ordered to leave the country 20 years ago.
The sanction is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, a legal framework that has rarely been used to impose fines of this nature.
Attorney Michelle Sánchez, the legal representative of the immigrant, indicated that her client did not attend a immigration hearing in April 2005, which resulted in an order of expulsion in absentia.
However, she argues that since then the woman has lived peacefully in the country, with no criminal record, and has formed a family with three children born in the U.S., who would face "extreme and exceptionally unusual difficulties" if their mother were deported.
In 2024, Sánchez submitted a motion to reopen the case and overturn the deportation order, but in March of this year, ICE denied the request, claiming that the current administration lacks clear guidelines on the prosecutorial discretion established during the previous term.
“ICE is terrorizing people without even arresting them, sending out these notifications with exorbitant fines that often exceed what a person earns in a lifetime,” Sánchez reported.
The attorney warned that although the notification allows for contesting the sanction through a personal interview with ICE, doing so without legal counsel could put immigrants at risk of immediate deportation.
"It's like stepping into the wolf's mouth," he warned.
Sánchez announced that he will appeal the fine, arguing that his client was never properly informed about the consequences of not leaving the country after the removal order.
This case is one of the first in which ICE resorts to the civil provisions of the 1952 Act to impose such high economic sanctions.
Under the current Trump administration, the government has reiterated its intention to use all available legal mechanisms to tighten immigration policy, including the requirement for registration for individuals residing illegally in the country and the imposition of fines, prison sentences, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Immigration Policy and Deportation Cases
Why is an undocumented mother in Florida facing a million-dollar fine for not complying with the deportation order?
The Honduran immigrant faces a fine of 1.82 million dollars for failing to comply with a deportation order issued in 2005. This penalty, imposed by ICE, is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and is part of an effort to tighten immigration policies under the Trump administration.
What are the consequences of not attending an immigration hearing in the U.S.?
Failing to attend a immigration hearing can result in a deportation order in absentia. In the case of the Honduran immigrant, her absence in 2005 led to such an order, which subsequently resulted in the million-dollar fine. These types of orders can have devastating effects on the lives of immigrants and their families, especially when minor children are involved.
What does it mean to receive an I-220B form in the immigration context?
The I-220B form, known as the "Supervision Order," involves an active or pending deportation order. Immigrants with this document face a heightened risk of deportation, especially under strict immigration policies. In the case of the Cuban mother Heydi Sánchez, who was deported despite fulfilling the conditions set by ICE, this form did not guarantee protection against deportation.
How does Trump's immigration policy affect immigrant families in the U.S.?
Trump's immigration policy has led to the separation of immigrant families. Cases like that of Heidy Sánchez, who was deported leaving her 17-month-old daughter in the U.S., reflect the human impact of these measures. Deportations under this administration have been criticized for their cruelty and lack of consideration for individual circumstances, deeply affecting the families involved.
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