Improbable Fines and Alien Scofflaws
By Dan Cadman on July 5, 2019
National Public Radio (NPR) has aired, and published online, a story about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sending fine notices to aliens illegally in the United States who have failed to depart after being ordered to do so; the fines range up to $500,000. Yes, you read that right, up to half a million dollars. I'm of several minds about the whole thing.
On their face, the notices would seem to be ludicrous, falling into the "you can't bleed a turnip" category. Why waste the time and paper? Clearly NPR agrees and, given its pro-migrant bent in recent years, was probably happy to publish a piece making the agency look foolish. A part of me agrees—but only a part. Like so many immigration stories, you have to peel back the layers, as you would with an onion.
First, the facts: immigration law does in fact provide for civil fines of up to $500 per day for aliens who fail in their legal responsibility to depart, leaving no doubt that it is a legal responsibility. It would only take 10 days to accrue a fine of $5,000, and in less than three years of willfully remaining after being ordered by an immigration judge to depart, you'd be at that $500,000 mark.
https://cis.org/Cadman/Improbable-Fines-and-Alien-Scofflaws
