Trump Administration Sues Immigrant for $1 Million Over Deportation Order

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The government under former President Donald Trump has filed a civil lawsuit against a woman named Marta Alicia Ramírez Veliz, seeking over $941,000 plus interest. The lawsuit alleges that Ramírez Veliz did not comply with a final deportation order issued in 2019, with the government seeking penalties based on the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Why it matters

This case represents a shift in immigration enforcement strategy under the Trump administration, with authorities pursuing substantial financial penalties against individuals who remain in the U.S. after receiving final deportation orders. The legal challenges to this approach suggest a debate over the proportionality and fairness of such fines.

The details

The lawsuit names Marta Alicia Ramírez Veliz as the defendant and demands payment of $941,114, stemming from her alleged failure to leave the United States after losing her case in 2022. The claim is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which allows for civil penalties against individuals subject to a final deportation order who do not leave the country. The daily penalty applied in this case is $998, resulting in a total calculation based on 943 days.

• Ramírez Veliz was ordered to leave the United States on July 1, 2019.
• The case was initially reviewed by a panel within the Department of Justice, which ruled against Ramírez Veliz in 2022.
• The demand for payment originates from a notice sent by ICE in April of this year, following more than three years since the order to depart the U.S. was issued.

What’s next

The court could rule in favor of the government, requiring Ramírez Veliz to pay the $941,114 plus interest. Alternatively, the court could dismiss the case, or Ramírez Veliz could attempt to negotiate a settlement. It is also possible the case could be subject to further legal challenges.