Trump Admin Looks to Charge Some Immigrants $18k to Deport Them
The Trump administration is considering charging some immigrants up to $18,000 if they miss court hearings and are later deported.
Officials say the higher fine would help cover enforcement costs and push people to attend hearings, as no-show cases surge.
Immigration experts warn the policy could impose significant financial burdens-and question how it would be enforced.
“An increased fee of $18K could certainly present a burden to individuals and in absentia removal orders have increased substantially since 2023,” Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh, an associate policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, told Newsweek.
“How and if these new fees are being enforced is an open question, especially considering the scale of those with in absentia removal orders.”
What's To Know (At a Glance)
- Still open for public comment (30 days, opening May 20)
- Fine could rise from $5,130 → $18,000
- Targets people who miss immigration hearings
- Applies after in absentia deportation orders
Why This Matters Now
Missed hearings have surged in recent years, putting pressure on immigration courts and enforcement resources while raising questions about whether penalties alone can improve compliance.
New Deportation Fine: What To Know
The new fine would apply to immigrants who are given a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court, which automatically places them in removal proceedings, and who fail to appear at that hearing.
If an immigration judge finds that an immigrant can be deported in absentia, then ICE has to track down, detain, and then deport that individual, fining them $5,130 in the process.
DHS said the amount is insufficient to cover deportation costs and that it plans to raise the fine to $18,000 under provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Officials also argue in the proposal that the higher fee could:
- Deter people from skipping court hearings
- Encourage compliance with removal orders
- Reduce strain on enforcement resources
Immigrants may have a variety of options for paying the fine, including paying it outright, paying it through a payment plan, or paying it as part of fees if they decide to return to the U.S. through a new application at a later date.
Missed Hearings Are Surging - Driving Costs Higher
The number of missed immigration hearings-a key driver behind the policy-has surged in recent years.
In 2022, there were around 62,500 in absentia removal orders-rising to about 309,700 in 2025, according to the Federal Register filing.
DHS said each of these cases requires ICE agents to locate, detain, and deport the individual, placing "a significant strain" on enforcement resources and diverting them from other priorities.
Officials said the proposed fine increase would only partially offset those costs.
Why People Miss Immigration Hearings
- Backlogs: Cases delayed for years, dates shift frequently
- Missed notices: Mail sent to outdated addresses
- No legal help: Unrepresented immigrants less likely to appear
- Fear of arrest: ICE presence at courts deters attendance
Can Immigrants Fight Removal Orders?
In absentia removal orders are harder to fight, as officials have often decided the immigrant has not shown they want to remain in the U.S. by turning up for a hearing. A person can fight the order by filing a motion to reopen their case, however.
The rulings are generally deemed final and come with strict rules, including preventing the individual from being able to change their immigration status or voluntarily depart the U.S. for 10 years. They are then unable to return to the U.S. for at least five years.
What Happens Next
The proposal opens for a 30-day public comment period on May 20, after which DHS will decide whether to finalize the rule.
Any new fine would only apply to future cases, not past deportation orders.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 11:59 AM.