Migrants Living In U.S. Illegally Could Be Fined Up To $1.8M Under New Trump Administration Plan

The Trump Administration is cracking down on immigrants living in the U.S. illegally by enforcing a 1996 law that penalizes immigrants by requiring them to pay up to $1.8 million in fines.

Wendy Ortiz is among many facing the consequences of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.

Having lived in the U.S. for a decade, Ortiz makes $13 an hour working in a meatpacking plant in Pennsylvania. Besides her rent and daily living costs, she’s also the mother to a 6-year-old U.S. citizen son with autism, whose expenses nearly exceed her salary.

As an asylum seeker, Ortiz faces risks if she has to return to El Salvador. She initially left in 2015 because of the imminent threat of violence by her ex-partner and gang threats.

The new fines would require a daily payment of $998 for people living in the U.S. illegally, with a max of $1.8 million after five years.

So far, 4,500 people have been fined with penalties totaling over $500 million.

Trump argues that his priority is deporting criminals living in the U.S. illegally.

Yet, since taking office, his administration has prioritized ramping up deportation numbers through voluntary actions or people who “self-deport.”

Their previous attempts include incentivizing immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to leave with a payment of $1000 or by tailored campaign ads launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that threaten “illegal aliens” to leave or be found.

“If you are a criminal alien considering entering America illegally, don’t even think about it. If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome in the United States,” said Secretary Kristi Noem in the ad.

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Article by Amanda Morley