US may confiscate property of illegal migrants – Reuters
The US government is reportedly weighing the option of confiscating the property of undocumented migrants who neglect to pay fines associated with overstaying their deportation orders, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. Since taking...
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The US government is reportedly weighing the option of confiscating the property of undocumented migrants who neglect to pay fines associated with overstaying their deportation orders, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.
Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has initiated a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced that migrants who remain in the country after receiving a final removal order would incur penalties of $998 per day.
Should these individuals fail to settle their fines, property confiscation could be on the table, as noted by Reuters. An unnamed senior official indicated that the government intends to impose these penalties retroactively for up to five years, which could result in fines exceeding $1 million.
Currently, there are no federal laws preventing undocumented immigrants from purchasing property in the US. They are able to buy homes or vehicles using cash, and financing options are available. However, some states, such as Texas and Florida, mandate proof of legal presence for vehicle registrations and obtaining driver's licenses.
According to emails reviewed by Reuters, the White House has directed US Customs and Border Protection to manage the penalties, property seizures, and asset sales for migrants who remain noncompliant.
This plan is aimed at approximately 1.4 million individuals who have received removal orders from an immigration judge.
The fines stem from a 1996 law that was enforced for the first time during Trump's first term in 2018, with court records indicating that at least four migrants faced fines around $60,000 at that time.
Upon taking office in 2021, former President Joe Biden halted the issuance of these fines and revoked related policies.
During his election campaign last year, Trump criticized Biden’s handling of undocumented immigrants, attributing the increase in migration at the US-Mexico border to his policies.
Since assuming the presidency, Trump has expanded expedited removal procedures, cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, and increased hiring for border enforcement through executive orders. He has also declared a national emergency to facilitate the deployment of armed forces to secure the border.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has initiated a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced that migrants who remain in the country after receiving a final removal order would incur penalties of $998 per day.
Should these individuals fail to settle their fines, property confiscation could be on the table, as noted by Reuters. An unnamed senior official indicated that the government intends to impose these penalties retroactively for up to five years, which could result in fines exceeding $1 million.
Currently, there are no federal laws preventing undocumented immigrants from purchasing property in the US. They are able to buy homes or vehicles using cash, and financing options are available. However, some states, such as Texas and Florida, mandate proof of legal presence for vehicle registrations and obtaining driver's licenses.
According to emails reviewed by Reuters, the White House has directed US Customs and Border Protection to manage the penalties, property seizures, and asset sales for migrants who remain noncompliant.
This plan is aimed at approximately 1.4 million individuals who have received removal orders from an immigration judge.
The fines stem from a 1996 law that was enforced for the first time during Trump's first term in 2018, with court records indicating that at least four migrants faced fines around $60,000 at that time.
Upon taking office in 2021, former President Joe Biden halted the issuance of these fines and revoked related policies.
During his election campaign last year, Trump criticized Biden’s handling of undocumented immigrants, attributing the increase in migration at the US-Mexico border to his policies.
Since assuming the presidency, Trump has expanded expedited removal procedures, cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions, and increased hiring for border enforcement through executive orders. He has also declared a national emergency to facilitate the deployment of armed forces to secure the border.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
