The Trump administration has announced a major escalation in immigration enforcement efforts across the United States. A new policy targets illegal immigrants under final deportation orders with heavy daily fines if they fail to leave voluntarily.

Under this plan, individuals who do not self-deport could face fines of $998 per day. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to enforce these penalties retroactively for up to five years, meaning some could owe over $1 million in fines.

This policy relies on a previously ignored 1996 law that allows for such financial penalties. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin promoted the CBP Home app as a tool for illegal immigrants to self-deport on their own terms, aiming to avoid harsher consequences.

DHS flyers distributed to the public warn that failure to self-deport after declaring intent could result in jail time, permanent bans on legal reentry, and additional fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

In a bold demonstration of the administration’s renewed enforcement drive, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem led a pre-dawn raid in Phoenix, Arizona. She was joined by over 100 federal agents in this high-profile operation.

The raid resulted in the arrest of three illegal immigrants with serious criminal records, including charges related to weapons possession and money laundering. Noem wore tactical gear and arrived in a BearCat SWAT vehicle, signaling a tough stance.

Noem promised increased resources and the aggressive expansion of similar raids nationwide, emphasizing the goal to remove illegal immigrants “faster than we ever have before.” Former Trump aide Corey Lewandowski also participated as an adviser.

This move marks a significant intensification of Trump-era immigration policies, signaling a stricter and more forceful approach to immigration enforcement under the current administration.