Unfortunately, the discussion revolving around migrants who have entered the United States by any means other than the way the current administration is proposing has only gotten bigger. Across the country, there have been various ICE raids and protests that stem from the Trump administration’s hatred for anyone not born in America. Every time I read a story about an immigrant being singled out or emotionally tortured, I can’t help but feel absolutely terrible. That’s why this story of a Florida mother being fined by ICE for over a million dollars was particularly alarming to me.
The Florida woman in question, who only wishes to be identified as Maria for fear of her safety, explained that she was apparently asked to leave the country two months after she arrived in 2005. Unfortunately, during that period of time, she did not have a permanent place of residence, meaning that she never actually received a notice detailing this. To make matters worse, as of May 9, ICE has decided to charge her $500 for every day since she violated that 2005 order, totaling over 1.8 million dollars.
According to Maria’s lawyer, Michelle Sanchez, the former qualifies for a US residency due to the length of time she has been in the country and a lack of a criminal record, which has recently become a defining factor in whether or not a migrant is deported. Maria has no intentions of returning to her maiden country of Honduras, as she has a family and has moved on with her life for the 20 years since she arrived.
Various commenters on the YouTube video have no sympathy for Maria. However, what remains to be seen is precisely why the US failed to appropriately notify her after 20 years. While it is known that she missed a trial date that resulted in the fine’s procession, there is no official record stating that the country tried to reach out again within that period of time. Considering that, I agree with this commenter who said, “1.8 million? How is that not a cruel and unusual fine?” No person should ever be asked to pay a sum that only 4.7% of Americans have in their retirement funds.
