The situation regarding illegal immigration is becoming increasingly tough under the Trump administration. A recent case involving an illegal alien, Marta Alicia Ramirez Veliz, residing in Chesterfield County, Virginia, highlights this trend. She now faces a staggering demand for nearly $1 million due to her failure to obey a deportation order. The Department of Justice has levied a fee of $941,114 against her, a direct consequence of defying immigration laws.
The timeline showcases a stringent approach. An immigration judge issued an order for Veliz’s removal in July 2019. After her appeal was dismissed by the Board of Immigration Appeals in September 2022, federal authorities had no choice but to take further action. Veliz failed to leave the country as mandated, leading to a fine notice served on April 29, 2025. When she did not contest this penalty within the allowed timeframe, a final judgment cemented her liability for the hefty sum on June 25, 2025. This case underscores a significant trend: the aggressive enforcement of immigration laws.
The court documentation, submitted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, states: “Defendant is indebted to the United States for a civil penalty assessed for willfully failing or refusing to leave the country during the period to do so.” The calculation of the fee reflects a daily fine of $998, accruing since her appeal dismissal. With over 940 days since the last appeal, the proposal stands as the largest sum imposed under a new policy introduced in 2025.
Notably, the policy shift has serious implications. In June 2025, the Justice Department, alongside the Department of Homeland Security, ended the 30-day notice period that previously existed for illegal immigrants facing deportation. This new rule allows immediate fines for those who do not comply with removal orders. Such penalties were introduced during the past Trump administration but rolled back under the Biden administration as “unnecessary.” Reinstating these penalties signals a hardline stance that has re-emerged at the federal level.
While the administration employs a heavy-handed approach with fines, it also offers incentives for illegal immigrants to encourage compliance. In May, the administration announced a program providing individuals with free flights back to their home countries, combined with a $1,000 stipend upon departure. This dual strategy—of both punishment and encouragement—creates a framework intended to motivate self-deportation rather than forced removal.
The results of these policies indicate marked effectiveness in getting illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily. During President Trump’s first year back in office, the Department of Homeland Security reported the deportation of approximately 622,000 illegal migrants. Remarkably, 1.9 million individuals chose to self-deport within the same timeframe. This move reflects not just a change in enforcement but a broader tactic to reshape how immigration laws are upheld.
The Veliz case encapsulates the current approach of the Trump administration to immigration—a blend of stiff penalties for non-compliance and tangible benefits for those opting to leave voluntarily. It’s a clear indication that the administration is committed to reinforcing immigration laws and will take resolute action against those who disregard them.
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