A 40-year-old Cuban man has been hit with a staggering $534,928 fine by the U.S. government for not voluntarily leaving the country after receiving a deportation order in February of last year. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) delivered this financial penalty in July, as reported by Diario Las Américas, due to the man's failure to comply with a voluntary departure order issued by an immigration judge. According to the report, the individual hails from Campechuela, located in the Granma province of Cuba. In Cuba, he worked independently in the fishing industry.
He arrived in the United States in March 2022, traveling via the "volcano route," and settled in Tampa, Florida, where he found employment as a flooring installation assistant. Upon his arrival, he was issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for a court hearing in Orlando, 84 miles away from his residence. However, lacking legal guidance and unaware of the process, he missed the appointment, leading to a deportation order in absentia in February 2024.
Legal Hurdles and Financial Penalties
In August 2024, a legal attempt to reopen his case was denied, leaving him vulnerable to expedited deportation. On July 22 of this year, ICE informed him of the substantial fine, a measure resulting from a policy by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which revised the procedure for imposing fines. These changes eliminate the previous 30-day notice, allow notifications by regular mail, and significantly shorten appeal periods.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, justified the policy by stating, "Laws do not enforce themselves; there must be consequences for disobeying them." She further mentioned that these penalties serve as an incentive for migrants to use the CBP Home app to self-deport before it's too late. The notification he received specifies, "You must file this Notice of Appeal within 15 business days… You may attach a written defense or documentary evidence."
A Complex Legal Landscape
Beyond the hefty fine, the Cuban man and his wife—a fellow Cuban with an I220-A—fear being detained and transferred to facilities like Baker County, Krome, or Alligator Alcatraz. This case unfolds amid ongoing legal battles over the scope of expedited deportations. A recent ruling by federal judge Jia Cobb in Washington D.C. temporarily blocked the expansion of these deportations, offering temporary relief to those under humanitarian statuses like parole.
Despite this, the U.S. government continues to tighten its measures, which some analysts see as an effort to achieve a net negative migration rate for the first time in five decades, combining deportations with punitive financial tools. Cases like this highlight a new category of exclusion: individuals facing deportation orders and massive fines, unable to adjust their status, work legally, or access immigration relief, yet not being swiftly deported.
This leaves their future hanging in a complex legal web where each day of delay could drastically alter the outcome.
Not the First Cuban to Face a Massive Fine
This isn't the first time a Cuban has been slapped with a hefty fine. In July, another Cuban citizen was notified of an even larger fine of $690,000 for remaining in the country despite a final deportation order. According to his account to journalist Daniel Benítez, he had lived in the U.S. for 12 years, with the first five under legal residency. He was later convicted of a federal crime and sentenced to three years in prison.
During the last six months of his sentence, he was transferred to an ICE detention center for deportation, but the Cuban government refused to accept him, preventing the deportation. Consequently, he was released under parole for two years, during which he had a one-year work permit and even had a scheduled immigration appointment in December before receiving the fine notification.
Self-Deportation: A Viable Option
As part of its immigration policy, the Trump administration introduced a program encouraging voluntary self-deportation through the CBP Home app. Migrants with departure orders who choose to leave voluntarily can benefit from:
- Complete forgiveness of accumulated fines.
- A free flight to their home country.
- A $1,000 cash bonus upon confirming their departure.
The DHS has made its stance clear: those who do not cooperate could face not only fines but also arrest, forced deportation, and a ban on legally returning to the U.S. in the future. "With a free flight, a $1,000 stipend, and fine forgiveness, illegal immigrants have no excuse to remain in the United States," the DHS stated in an official release.
Understanding U.S. Deportation Policies
What is the reason behind the Cuban man's hefty fine?
The Cuban man was fined for failing to comply with a voluntary departure order issued by an immigration judge after receiving a deportation order in February of last year.
How do the recent policy changes affect deportation cases?
Recent policy changes by the DHS eliminate the 30-day prior notice, allow notifications by regular mail, and significantly shorten appeal periods, impacting how deportation cases are handled.
What options do migrants have to avoid fines and deportation?
Migrants can opt for voluntary self-deportation through the CBP Home app, which offers benefits such as fine forgiveness, a free flight to their home country, and a $1,000 bonus.