Trump admin moves to fine illegal immigrants $998 per day if they don't self deport

The Trump administration is planning to fine illegal immigrants who don’t self deport from the US just under $1,000 per day that they remain in the country.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News, "Illegal aliens should use the CBP Home app to self-deport and leave the country now. If they don’t, they will face the consequences. This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order."

A senior Trump official told Reuters that the administration plans to use a 1996 law to apply retroactive penalties on illegal immigrants for up to five years, which could result in fines over $1 million.

The outlet, which reviewed government emails, said that the administration is also considering seizing the property of illegal immigrants who do not pay the fines.

Trump first used the law under his first term to levy hundreds of thousands of dollars against nine migrants, though the administration withdrew the penalties and instead imposed fines of around $60,000 per person against at least four of the migrants. Joe Biden ceased issuing the fines when he took office.

A flyer obtained by Fox News outlined the "benefits" and "consequences" of self-deporting, including massive fines. "Self-deportation is safe. Leave on your own terms by picking your departure flight," the flyer stated.

Those who self-deport would receive the benefit of being able to keep the money they earned in America, being able to have future eligibility for legal immigration, and possibly subsidized flights if they cannot afford it.

Those who fail to self deport would be "apprehended by DHS with no opportunity to get your affairs in order beforehand," and could face the $998 per day fine as well as a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 for failing to self deport after "claiming that you will."

The White House has pushed for US Customs and Border Protection to handle the fines and property seizures, however, a memo from the CBP has said that ICE should take on the task as CBP’s systems would not be able to support implementing the fines.