Trump Administration Issues $84 Billion in Illegal Immigration Fines

The Department of Homeland Security has issued 103,000 civil fines totaling approximately $84 billion to illegal immigrants since President Donald Trump returned to office roughly 18 months ago. The policy imposes a $998 daily fine on individuals subject to final removal orders who fail to comply or voluntarily depart the United States.

As of July 2026, the agency has collected $1.2 billion in payments. To ensure settlement, the government may seize assets from those who fail to pay, as fines must be resolved prior to deportation. DHS describes the program as a cost-effective alternative to traditional proceedings designed to encourage self-deportation.

To facilitate this process, U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CBP Home app, which allows non-criminal immigrants to preserve earned funds and maintain future legal eligibility by leaving voluntarily. DHS reports that over 3 million illegal immigrants left the U.S. during Trump's first year back in office, with 2.2 million of those individuals self-deporting.