$1.8M ICE FINE FOR SOUTH FLORIDA MOM AFTER 20 YEARS
A South Florida woman is facing an astonishing financial penalty from federal authorities.
The amount is staggering, linked to a decision made two decades ago.
Decades in the U.S. After Order
Identified only as “Maria,” the 41-year-old mother has resided in the United States for twenty years.
Originally from Honduras, she entered the country through California in February 2005.
Just two months later, a crucial step in her immigration process was missed.
The Legal Basis for Penalties
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Maria was ordered to leave the country in April 2005.
This order followed her failure to appear at a scheduled immigration hearing.
Under U.S. law, individuals who receive removal orders are required to depart.
The government has the authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 to impose daily fines for non-compliance with such orders.
Anxiety and Fear Cited
“Maria” spoke to CBS News Miami about the impact of receiving the notice from ICE’s civil fines department.
Ever since that day I live with anxiety… I can’t sleep… I don’t feel.
I don’t want to go back.
She cited fear for her safety as the reason for requesting anonymity.
Attorney Preparing Challenge
Maria’s attorney, Michelle Sanchez, acknowledges the situation is serious but is challenging the penalty.
Sanchez described the fine as “absolutely nuts.”
She filed a motion in 2024 seeking to reopen Maria’s original immigration case.
Arguments include Maria’s long residence and lack of criminal history as potential grounds for residency.
Impact on U.S. Citizen Children
Maria is the mother of three children who are U.S. citizens.
Attorney Sanchez highlights the potential impact on these children.
It would be extremely painful to be separated from my children, this is their country, this is all they know.
Sanchez argues deportation would cause them “extreme and exceptionally unusual hardships.”
A request to reopen the case under specific administrative discretion was reportedly denied earlier this year.
The Staggering Total Revealed
So, how did the fine reach such a massive figure?
According to the notice sent on May 9, ICE is levying a penalty of $500 for each day Maria has remained in the U.S. since the 2005 removal order.
Calculated over the two decades, this daily penalty accumulates to a total of $1,821,350.
Maria claims she never received proper notification of the order or its consequences after failing to appear for her hearing.
I told the immigration officer I didn’t have any family in this country or a specific place to stay. I never received any document and they did not know where I was going to be.
Sanchez plans to appeal the fine itself, arguing her client was not adequately informed of the legal ramifications of not leaving the country.
Seeking Mercy Amidst Legal Process
“Maria” made a direct plea regarding her situation.
Please have mercy I want to stay with them.
ICE South Florida stated they would need more time to respond when contacted for comment on the case.
The legal battle over the substantial fine continues.