Detained illegal immigrants will face $5K ‘apprehension fee’: Border Patrol chief
In a significant policy shift, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced that nearly all illegal immigrants detained will now face a $5,000 “apprehension fee.” This new provision, part of the “big, beautiful bill” signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, targets individuals aged 14 and older who enter the country without inspection. In a post on X, Banks emphasized that this fee applies universally to illegal immigrants, regardless of their entry point, duration of stay, or any ongoing immigration proceedings. This move is seen as a part of the broader strategy to deter illegal immigration and enforce accountability within the immigration system.
The announcement comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed on behalf of 21,500 immigrants who are facing daily penalties for their illegal status, which could amount to as much as $1.8 million each. Their legal representatives argue that these individuals are attempting to comply with immigration laws. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also introduced a $1,000 fee for migrants paroled in the U.S., aimed at preventing fraud within the parole system. In an unusual twist, DHS has launched an initiative dubbed the “holiday deal of a lifetime,” which offers illegal immigrants a free flight home and a $1,000 bonus for voluntarily leaving the country. This initiative highlights the administration’s focus on reducing the costs associated with detaining and deporting individuals, which averages around $17,000 per person.
The Trump administration has been making strides in border enforcement, announcing that the fiscal year 2025 closed with 237,565 Border Patrol apprehensions, the lowest figure since 1970. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reported that the administration is on track to achieve record deportations, with projections of 600,000 by the end of Trump’s first year back in office. Over two million illegal immigrants have departed the U.S. this year, including a substantial number who self-deported. This aggressive approach includes deploying additional personnel to the southern border and ending the “catch-and-release” policy, which previously allowed many illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. while awaiting hearings. As these policies unfold, the landscape of U.S. immigration continues to evolve, raising questions about their long-term implications for both immigrants and the nation.
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.
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.
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.
