Trump Admin Fining Migrants Thousands to Recoup Deportation Costs

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