The Trump administration has officially eliminated the warning period before fining undocumented immigrants, allowing immediate civil penalties and opening the door to mass property seizures and multi-million-dollar enforcement actions.
What We Know:
A new joint rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) eliminates the traditional 30-day grace period, permitting immediate civil fines for migrants in the U.S. illegally.
Migrants can now be fined $100 to $500 per unauthorized entry, and up to $1,000 per day for defying deportation or voluntary departure orders.
Over 10,000 fine notifications have already been issued since the rule took effect in June 2025, amounting to more than $3 billion in proposed fines.
The administration has also signaled that property seizures will begin against those who refuse to pay, including potential levies on cars, cash, and even mobile phones.
DHS officials claim the policy “strengthens deterrence,” while critics argue it is punitive, retaliatory, and targets vulnerable asylum seekers.
The measure is part of a larger suite of executive actions by President Trump in his second term, which include reviving the Alien Enemies Act, expanded expedited removals, and dismantling Biden-era immigrant protections.
This revelation adds to the growing archive of Trump-era enforcement practices that targeted immigrants with punitive measures designed more for headlines than results.