Thousands of undocumented immigrants face pressure from the U.S. government to choose between self-deportation, referred to informally as voluntary removal, or paying fines of up to $1.8 million per person. According to the New York Times, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mailed more than 100,000 people letters laying out that choice. Specifically, undocumented individuals owe $998 for each day they remain in the U.S. after an immigration judge orders their removal. Fine increases end after five years, or roughly $1.8 million for a single person. U.S. immigration law differentiates voluntary removal from the formal “voluntary departure” process.
Immigration law has allowed these fines since 1996, but enforcement was inconsistent for decades. The first Trump administration attempted to apply the penalty but ran into logistical obstacles, and the Biden administration rescinded it altogether. The current administration revived and streamlined the process starting in 2025, and DHS says it has now issued roughly 103,000 fines totaling about $84 billion, with about $1.2 billion actually collected as of July 2026.
The same letters offer complete forgiveness of unpaid fines for anyone who leaves voluntarily, and DHS has separately promoted its CBP Home app, which offers a $2,600 payment and a free flight for those who self deport. Some immigration attorneys report advising clients to place assets in trusts to protect property from potential seizure. The exact number of people who have self-deported in response to these fines remains unclear.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.