The Department of Homeland Security has issued more than 100,000 civil fines totaling roughly $84 billion to individuals subject to final removal orders, and has collected about $1.2 billion in payments.
Under the current administration, fines of $998 per day are imposed on those who fail to leave voluntarily, with payment required before deportation proceeds. The agency has indicated it may seize assets from individuals who do not satisfy the financial penalty.
Officials contend that the fine‑based program costs significantly less than traditional removal proceedings and is intended to encourage voluntary departure.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection flyer outlines a self‑deportation option through the CBP Home app, describing the process as safe and allowing migrants to select their own departure flight.
The flyer notes that non‑criminal migrants who self‑deport may retain earnings accrued while in the United States and preserve eligibility for future legal immigration pathways; some may qualify for subsidized travel if needed.
Conversely, the notice warns that individuals who do not self‑deport face apprehension by DHS without the opportunity to arrange personal affairs beforehand.
Data from the agency indicate that more than 3 million illegal immigrants left the country in the first year of the administration’s return, with approximately 2.2 million doing so through self‑deportation.
As of mid‑May, the department reported nearly 900,000 deportations and over 900,000 arrests, reflecting a shift in migration patterns following a period of record illegal crossings.
