The Donald Trump administration announced a change in the sanctioning process for undocumented immigrants that facilitates and accelerates the imposition of civil fines.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have eliminated the 30-day waiting period for notifying migrants of their intention to impose fines.
This now allows notifications to be sent directly by postal mail and also shortens the process if those affected contest their fines.
Since June 13, 2025, ICE has issued nearly 10,000 penalty notices, according to DHS in a statement.
The new regulations include severe financial penalties for these individuals
- Foreigners who illegally enter the United States
- Foreigners who ignore expulsion orders or delay their expulsion
- Foreigners who do not comply with the agreements to fulfill the judges' voluntary departure orders
The fines each one faces are as follows:
- From $100 to $500 for illegal entry or attempted entry
- From $1,992 to $9,970 for failing to comply with a voluntary departure order
- Up to $998 per day for deliberately failing to comply with a deportation order
Although these laws originated in 1956 and were reformed in 1996, they began to be actively enforced during Trump's first term and are now being reinstated and strengthened.
"Shortly after President Trump returned to office, the ICE began issuing fines for failure to depart the country," the DHS note states.
CBP Home: voluntary departure as a "preferred option"
As a complement, the government has reactivated and promoted the mobile application CBP Home to manage voluntary departures.
Those who choose to self-deport through the application will receive full forgiveness of accumulated fines, free travel, and a departure bonus of $1,000. The application is available on mobile devices and on the official DHS website.
"Self-deportation is the safest and most economical way to leave the U.S.," emphasized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem also warned that those who do not cooperate will face not only fines but also arrest, forced deportation, and disqualification from legally reentering the country.
Retroactivity and extreme cases: fines of up to $1.8 million
This policy will not only apply to new cases but will also be retroactive for up to five years.
The reactivation of an old immigration law from 1996 allows for penalties that, in some cases, exceed one million dollars.
One of the most shocking cases is that of Wendy Ortiz, a Salvadoran mother living in Pennsylvania, who was fined $1.8 million despite never having received a court summons.
Ortiz, the mother of a U.S. citizen child with autism, sought humanitarian relief, but her case was dismissed following Trump's return to power.
Other immigrants have also received fines amounting to thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, often without knowing that there was a prior deportation order.
In addition to imposing sanctions, the government is considering implementing a property confiscation system for those who do not pay fines, according to documents obtained by Reuters.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the civil asset forfeiture division of the DOJ would be involved in executing seizures, although this plan still faces technical and political challenges.
A massive impact on millions of families
The new measures could directly affect 1.4 million people with final deportation orders, many of whom live in mixed-status households where at least one member is a citizen or legal resident.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, 26% of these households live below the poverty line, making it nearly impossible to pay the imposed fines.
Legal experts and former officials, such as Scott Shuchart, warn that these policies could be challenged in court for being "more deterrent than legal."
Additionally, a wave of litigation is anticipated as immigrant advocacy organizations describe this strategy as an attempt to "govern through fear."
The reactivation and tightening of the regime of economic sanctions under Trump's second term marks a radical shift in the immigration policy of the United States, combining incentives for voluntary departure with multimillion-dollar fines, threats of embargo, and permanent exclusion.
Although DHS has not confirmed when the full retroactive application will begin, the increase in notices since mid-June suggests that the measure is already underway.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's New Immigration Measures
What changes has Trump made to the sanctions on undocumented immigrants?
The Trump administration has eliminated the 30-day waiting period to notify migrants about fines, allowing these to be sent directly by postal mail. This speeds up the process, especially if the affected individuals contest the fines. Since June 13, 2025, ICE has issued nearly 10,000 fine notices. The penalties include fines ranging from $100 to $500 for illegal entry, up to $998 per day for non-compliance with a deportation order, and up to $9,970 for failing to comply with a voluntary departure order.
What does the CBP Home application consist of and what benefits does it offer?
The CBP Home app is a technological tool designed to manage the voluntary departure of undocumented immigrants from the country. It offers benefits such as full forgiveness of accumulated fines, a free trip to the country of origin, and a departure bonus of $1,000. Furthermore, those who use the app for self-deportation can retain the opportunity to return legally to the U.S. in the future.
How will these measures affect immigrants with final deportation orders?
The new measures could affect approximately 1.4 million people with final deportation orders. Many of them live in mixed-status households, and 26% of these households live below the poverty line. This makes it nearly impossible to pay the imposed fines. Additionally, the government is considering implementing a property confiscation system for those who do not pay the penalties.
What options do undocumented immigrants have to avoid penalties and deportation?
Undocumented immigrants have the option to self-deport using the CBP Home app. By doing so, they receive a full waiver of accumulated fines, a free trip, and a $1,000 exit bonus. Those who do not choose this option will face fines, arrest, forced deportation, and disqualification from legally re-entering the country.
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