The US government is imposing a hefty fine of $5,000 on unaccompanied immigrant teenagers who entered the country without adult supervision. This financial penalty is part of a new set of regulations created by President Donald Trump's administration, aimed at discouraging minors from crossing into the US alone.
According to youth advocates and fine notices obtained by New York Focus and The Intercept, around 10 teenagers in New York aged 14-17 received these fines in mid-October. A teenager in Michigan has also been fined under this new rule. While exact numbers are unclear, several attorneys handling unaccompanied minors cases reported hearing about the fines for the first time.
These fines are part of the "Inadmissible alien apprehension fee" created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is meant to be applied to individuals caught between official ports of entry. Critics argue that this fine disproportionately affects vulnerable kids who lack resources and access to support systems, leaving them with no way to pay.
The law's proponents claim that the fine encourages people to cross at legal ports rather than taking risks by crossing the desert or using smugglers, which would otherwise drain Customs and Border Protection resources. However, advocates warn that this is a "clever way" of creating fear among unaccompanied children who are already in dire situations.
As part of these new regulations, other fines have been introduced, including $100 for asylum applications, plus an annual fee of $100 while the application remains pending. There's also a $5,000 fine for anyone ordered removed in absentia and later arrested by ICE.
Critics argue that lack of clarity surrounding how to pay these fees has led to panic among asylum-seekers in New York, with reports of misinformation and scams spreading rapidly. The Department of Homeland Security referred questions about the fine's application on minors to a different fee for immigrants paroled into the US.
A law professor at Hofstra University notes that unaccompanied kids in ORR custody are particularly vulnerable because they often don't have access to lawyers or guidance, making them more susceptible to these financial penalties. "This appears to be an effort to go after the kids who are especially defenseless," he said.
The US government's actions have sparked criticism and calls for press freedom in defending democracy. The Intercept, one of the news outlets involved in investigating this story, warns that it faces significant challenges in reporting on authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies.
According to youth advocates and fine notices obtained by New York Focus and The Intercept, around 10 teenagers in New York aged 14-17 received these fines in mid-October. A teenager in Michigan has also been fined under this new rule. While exact numbers are unclear, several attorneys handling unaccompanied minors cases reported hearing about the fines for the first time.
These fines are part of the "Inadmissible alien apprehension fee" created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is meant to be applied to individuals caught between official ports of entry. Critics argue that this fine disproportionately affects vulnerable kids who lack resources and access to support systems, leaving them with no way to pay.
The law's proponents claim that the fine encourages people to cross at legal ports rather than taking risks by crossing the desert or using smugglers, which would otherwise drain Customs and Border Protection resources. However, advocates warn that this is a "clever way" of creating fear among unaccompanied children who are already in dire situations.
As part of these new regulations, other fines have been introduced, including $100 for asylum applications, plus an annual fee of $100 while the application remains pending. There's also a $5,000 fine for anyone ordered removed in absentia and later arrested by ICE.
Critics argue that lack of clarity surrounding how to pay these fees has led to panic among asylum-seekers in New York, with reports of misinformation and scams spreading rapidly. The Department of Homeland Security referred questions about the fine's application on minors to a different fee for immigrants paroled into the US.
A law professor at Hofstra University notes that unaccompanied kids in ORR custody are particularly vulnerable because they often don't have access to lawyers or guidance, making them more susceptible to these financial penalties. "This appears to be an effort to go after the kids who are especially defenseless," he said.
The US government's actions have sparked criticism and calls for press freedom in defending democracy. The Intercept, one of the news outlets involved in investigating this story, warns that it faces significant challenges in reporting on authoritarian governments, billionaire oligarchs, and backsliding democracies.
. It's like they're trying to add more stress to an already super tough situation for them. They just want a safe place to be and some guidance, but now the government is throwing $5k at them and it's just not right 
.
$5k fine is too harsh on unaccompanied teens 
I dont think its a good idea to fine unaccompanied minors $5000... thats like asking them to pay for a mistake they didnt even make! 
Its not like they had control over the situation in first place. And now they're gonna get slammed with a huge bill? That's just not right. What about all the resources that should be going towards helping these kids, not punishing them? 
so they're fining unaccompanied immigrant teens $5k if dey enter US alone? dat's crazy! like, what r we even talkin bout here? 
and it's not like dey had access 2 resources or anythin'... they're just tryna survive 
so yeah, dis new law is straight up problematic 
It's like they say, "if you want to make a good first impression, start with a good last impression"... not exactly what we want from our gov 
. the gov's trying to scare them off but it wont work, kids are desperate and willing to take risks. plus, what about the parents who sent them? shouldn't they be held accountable too? 
. I get what they're trying to do, but I feel like it's gonna push more kids into the shadows or force 'em to rely on sketchy sources for cash 
.