Biden admin cancels fines for illegal immigrants who refuse to leave the country

Apr 24, 2021

President Biden’s Department of Homeland Security has done away with orders that demand fines be collected from illegal immigrants who refuse to leave the United States.

“There is no indication that these penalties promoted compliance with noncitizens’ departure obligations”
DHS Secretary Mayorkas

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded two orders that called for financial punishments, according to a Tweet issued by DHS on Twitter.

At @SecMayorkas direction, @ICEgov rescinded two orders to collect fines from noncitizens who fail to depart the U.S. After reviewing the data, it was clear that fines were not effective. @ICE will work to cancel the existing debts of those fined. https://t.co/OnRKu8hGVT
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 23, 2021

The orders, titled ICE Delegation No. 006-2020, “Delegation of Authority to Administer Certain Provisions Relating to Civil Penalties for Failure to Depart,” were put in place during the Trump Administration.

Moreover, the DHS said it was the opposite of the “agency’s best interests.”

“There is no indication that these penalties promoted compliance with noncitizens’ departure obligations,” Mayorkas said. “We can enforce our immigration laws without resorting to ineffective and unnecessary punitive measures.”

Biden Admin Cancels Fines For Illegal Aliens Who Fail To Leave U.S.: Doesn’t Serve Our ‘Best Interest’ https://t.co/0Kv9bRQg7u pic.twitter.com/5BjIx5M4jm
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) April 23, 2021

“Today, at the direction of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rescinded two delegation orders related to the collection of civil financial penalties for noncitizens who fail to depart the U.S., stating they run counter to the agency’s best interest,” reads the press release.

The release said the agency stopped issuing fines on Inauguration Day.

“Although ICE has had the authority to assess financial penalties to individuals for failing to depart for more than 20 years, the agency did not initiate enforcement of these penalties until 2018. As of January 20, 2021, ICE ceased issuing these fines. This formalizes the Biden Administration’s change in direction,” the release said.

Read the full press release and article here.