Federal Court stays Trump administration’s civil immigration fine scheme

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted preliminary relief in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s civil penalty scheme targeting immigrants. The court issued a stay on all fines issued after July 27, 2025, preventing the government from enforcing them while the case proceeds.

The lawsuit, Maria L. v. Mullin, argues that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to adequately consider individual circumstances when issuing fines. The administration’s policy has reportedly affected more than 100,000 people, with civil penalties totaling over $84 billion since January 2025. Some individuals faced fines as high as $998 per day, totaling nearly $1.8 million per person.

Judge George A. O’Toole noted that the plaintiffs face enormous fines beyond their capacity to pay. The case was brought by several organizations, including Public Justice, The Legal Aid Society, and the NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic, on behalf of immigrants pursuing lawful status.