Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Migrant Fines

A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to impose fines reaching up to $1.8 million on migrants failing to leave the U.S. after being issued deportation orders. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Boston made the ruling in response to a class-action lawsuit from two migrants among thousands facing such penalties from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The judge determined that the process used by the administration to impose the fines violated federal law and could financially devastate migrants who are in a delicate economic situation. He noted, “The plaintiffs live in an economically precarious position even without the government’s exorbitant fines.”

O’Toole pointed out that these fines could lead to the garnishment of wages, loss of property, and other negative consequences. He raised doubts about the ability to restore the plaintiffs’ status if the fines were overturned.

One of the plaintiffs, referred to as Nancy M., faced a fine of over $1.8 million. She works more than 60 hours a week in two jobs and expressed significant anxiety affecting her daily life. The judge found fault with the administration for not providing specific reasons for penalizing individuals, violating the Administrative Procedure Act.

DHS reported issuing over 103,000 fines totaling approximately $84 billion since Trump resumed the presidency in 2025. DHS justified these fines as necessary penalties for those defying deportation orders, with potential fines of $998 per day authorized under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

During Trump’s first term, the administration began imposing daily fines retroactively for up to five years, with a maximum of $1.8 million. Changes in July 2025 aimed at speeding up the fine assessment process were successfully challenged by the plaintiffs, citing procedural issues and lack of public input.

Congressional opposition has arisen, with lawmakers like Sens. Alex Padilla and Dick Durbin asking DHS and the Department of Justice to review the application of these fines. They argue for fairness towards “law-abiding immigrants.”