Undocumented Florida Woman Fined $1.82 Million by ICE for 20-Year Overstay

An undocumented Honduran woman living in Florida has been fined over $1.82 million by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for failing to depart the country following a 2005 removal order.

The fine, issued in a May 9 notice by ICE's civil fines department, charged the woman $500 for each day she remained in the United States since the order was issued, totaling $1,821,350. The woman, a mother of three U.S.-born children, is being represented by immigration attorney Michelle Sanchez, who said this is the first time she has seen such a high civil penalty imposed.

"This is ICE terrorizing individuals without even having to go pick them up," Sanchez told CBS News. "They are terrorizing them by sending these notices where they are fining individuals an exorbitant amount of money that a person sometimes doesn't even make that amount in their lifetime."

The woman's removal order was issued after she missed a court hearing in 2005. Sanchez has filed a motion to reopen the case, citing her client's clean record and eligibility for legal residency due to her long-term presence in the country and her U.S. citizen children. However, ICE declined the request in March, citing lack of prosecutorial discretion guidance from the Trump administration.

The fine is being issued under the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, a statute that allows ICE to levy civil fines against undocumented immigrants but has rarely been enforced.

The notice indicates the woman may contest the fine and request a personal interview, though Sanchez warns clients not to respond without consulting legal counsel. She plans to appeal the fine, arguing her client was not informed of the penalties for failing to leave the U.S.

The enforcement action comes as Florida intensifies its role in national efforts. A 37-page state blueprint obtained by The Miami Herald outlines how the DeSantis Administration is positioning itself as a key partner in mass deportation initiatives led by the Trump administration. The plan includes identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants, expanding detention capacity, and providing transportation and legal infrastructure to assist federal operations.

Florida is home to an estimated 1.2 million undocumented immigrants, according to Pew Research, and has deputized local law enforcement under federal programs like 287(g). Critics argue the state's aggressive approach oversteps federal authority and undermines due process.