Detained illegal immigrants will face $5K ‘apprehension fee’: Border Patrol chief
In a bold move to tighten immigration enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced that nearly all illegal immigrants detained will now face a $5,000 “apprehension fee.” This new policy, which applies to individuals aged 14 and older who entered the country without inspection, is part of the sweeping immigration reform known as the “big, beautiful bill,” signed into law by President Donald Trump in July. Banks emphasized that this fee will be enforced uniformly, regardless of the circumstances surrounding each individual’s immigration status or any ongoing legal proceedings. This announcement coincided with a lawsuit filed against the federal government on behalf of 21,500 immigrants, who are facing daily penalties of $998, potentially totaling up to $1.8 million each for their continued stay in the U.S. The plaintiffs argue that they have made efforts to comply with federal immigration laws.
In addition to the apprehension fee, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently introduced a $1,000 fee for migrants paroled into the U.S., aiming to enhance accountability and reduce fraud within the parole system. Furthermore, as part of a controversial initiative dubbed the “holiday deal of a lifetime,” DHS is incentivizing illegal immigrants to self-deport by offering a free flight home along with a $1,000 bonus. This strategy is part of a broader effort to manage the costs associated with illegal immigration, as the average expense to arrest, detain, and deport an individual is estimated at $17,000. The DHS has also indicated that individuals may qualify for forgiveness of civil fines incurred during their unlawful stay, potentially allowing them to return to the U.S. legally in the future.
The Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration has produced significant results, with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reporting that the administration is on track to achieve a historic record of 600,000 deportations by the end of Trump’s first year back in office. This year alone, over two million illegal immigrants have left the U.S., including 1.6 million who self-deported, 515,000 deportations, and 485,000 arrests. These measures, coupled with the deployment of additional personnel to the southern border and the termination of “catch-and-release” practices, reflect a significant shift in the U.S. immigration landscape under the Trump administration, aiming to deter illegal entry and enforce stricter penalties for those who violate immigration laws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8iDdQ-K37Q
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced that nearly all
illegal immigrants
detained will be charged a $5,000 “apprehension fee.”
In a post on X on Thursday, Banks said illegal immigrants ages 14 and older who entered the country without inspection will face a fee, a provision included in the “big, beautiful bill,” which President
Donald Trump
signed into law in July.
“This message applies to all illegal aliens — regardless of where they entered, how long they’ve been in the U.S., their current location, or any ongoing immigration proceedings,” Banks wrote.
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The warning came after a lawsuit was filed Thursday against the federal government on behalf of 21,500 immigrants facing daily penalties of $998, reaching up to $1.8 million each for staying in the U.S. illegally.Â
Their lawyers argued they were attempting to comply with federal immigration laws.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October that
migrants paroled in the U.S.
would also face a $1,000 fee “to institute accountability and prevent rampant fraud of the parole system.”
DHS this week launched a “holiday deal of a lifetime,” offering illegal immigrants a “Cyber Monday” incentive to self-deport.
All illegal immigrants in the country could receive a free flight home and a $1,000 bonus for
voluntarily leaving the country
. The average cost to arrest, detain and deport someone is $17,000, according to DHS.
People in the U.S. illegally may also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties incurred for failing to depart, DHS said, allowing the possibility for them to return legally.
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The Trump administration previously announced it closed out fiscal year 2025 with 237,565
Border Patrol apprehensions
, the fewest since 1970.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in October that the administration was “on pace to shatter historic records” by tallying 600,000 deportations by the end of Trump’s first year back in office.Â
More than two million illegal immigrants have left the U.S. this year, she said, including 1.6 million who have self-deported, 515,000 deportations and another 485,000 who were arrested.
Trump deployed additional personnel to the southern border after taking office and ended “catch-and-release,” the practice of releasing illegal immigrants as they wait for hearings.
Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo, Bonny Chu and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
