Millions of people living illegally in the United States are facing stiff new fines from the Trump administration as the White House pressures migrants to self-deport to their birth countries.
A newly issued rule allows federal immigration authorities to fine people up to $500 for illegally crossing the border and $1,000 per day for not leaving the United States if so ordered. The measure also allows a $10,000 fine for people who said they would leave voluntarily but haven't.
Crossing the border illegally or overstaying a visa is typically considered a civil violation, and the White House said the fines reflect the administration's efforts to reduce illegal immigration.
"The law doesn’t enforce itself; there must be consequences for breaking it," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
Federal law has long given authorities the power to impose such fines, although they were rarely issued until the first Trump administration, and even then only rarely because officials found the process cumbersome.
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