U.S. Department of Homeland Security issues multi-million dollar immigration fines

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued massive civil fines to individuals remaining in the United States after receiving removal orders. One Washington man, a refugee from Vietnam who arrived in the 1980s, received a bill totaling $1,820,352. His attorney, Olia Catala, noted that the client has been unable to obtain a passport from Vietnam to facilitate his departure.

The fines are based on a 1996 federal law that allows DHS to charge up to $998 per day for willfully failing to follow a removal order. While the law has existed for decades, reports indicate the federal government has increased its application of these penalties recently.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that for individuals who choose to leave the country, the fines can be forgiven, and they may receive a free flight home along with a $2,600 exit bonus. However, legal experts suggest the steep fines serve as a significant deterrent for those unable to secure travel documents.