Vietnamese Refugee in US Shocked by $1.8 Million Deportation Fine from Homeland Security
A man of Vietnamese origin, now in his late 40s and residing in the United States since the age of five, experienced a profound shock upon opening a letter from the Department of Homeland Security. As detailed in a report by King5, the individual, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of further administrative retaliation, was instructed to pay nearly $1.8 million to the federal government. This staggering demand stems from his failure to depart the US following a deportation order issued years earlier.
Background of the Deportation Order and Legal Complications
The removal order was formally issued to the man in 2007, but he has been unable to comply because Vietnam does not provide travel documents to certain refugees, according to his attorney, Olia Catala. Catala explained to the news outlet that while she has encountered similar cases, the financial penalty in this instance is exceptionally high. "I don’t know anyone who has $1.8 million just lying around. You get this letter and it’s a shocking number," she remarked, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the demand.
Despite the deportation order, the man holds a valid work permit and has consistently participated in annual check-ins with immigration authorities. His journey to the US began in the early 1980s when he arrived as a young child, making America his home for decades. Catala read from the DHS letter, which stated, "It is ordered that a civil penalty be imposed upon you in the amount of one million … eight-hundred-twenty-thousand-three-hundred-fifty-two dollars."
Legal Basis and Historical Context of the Fines
The letter is legally valid, grounded in a federal law enacted in 1996 that permits the government to impose daily fines on immigrants who do not leave the country after receiving a final removal order. Although this law has existed for decades, immigration experts note that it was infrequently enforced until recent times. The fines can accumulate up to $500 per day under the original statute, but according to the American Immigration Council, current rates may reach as high as $998 per day, significantly increasing potential liabilities over time.
Guidance for Immigrants Facing Similar Notices
Catala advised that immigrants who receive such notices demanding substantial fines should avoid panic and immediately seek legal counsel. She highlighted the importance of understanding one's rights and exploring available options. In a related development, the DHS has been encouraging self-deportation through initiatives like their mobile app, offering an exit bonus of $2,600 to those who voluntarily leave. The department announced, "The Department of Homeland Security has announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive cost-free travel, forgiveness of any failure to depart fines, and a $2,600 exit bonus to facilitate travel back to their home country or another country where they have lawful status through the CBP Home Mobile App."
This case underscores the complexities and harsh realities of US immigration enforcement, particularly for long-term residents caught in legal limbo due to circumstances beyond their control.
