Border Patrol chief announces $5,000 fee for detained illegal immigrants

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced that nearly all detained illegal immigrants will be charged a $5,000 “arrest fee.”

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“This message applies to all illegal aliens, regardless of where they entered, how long they have been in the United States, their current location, or any pending immigration proceedings,” Banks wrote.

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The warning follows a lawsuit filed Thursday against the federal government on behalf of 21,500 immigrants facing daily fines of $998, up to $1.8 million each, for staying in the United States illegally.

Their lawyers argued they were trying to comply with federal immigration laws.

The U.S. Border Patrol said Thursday that all detained illegal immigrants will be charged a $5,000 “arrest fee.” (Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October that paroled migrants in the United States would also face a $1,000 fee “to create accountability and prevent widespread fraud in the parole system.”

DHS this week launched an “unforgettable holiday deal,” offering illegal immigrants a “Cyber ​​Monday” incentive to encourage them to self-deport.

All illegal immigrants in the country could receive a free return flight and a $1,000 bonus if they leave the country voluntarily. The average cost to arrest, detain and deport someone is $17,000, according to DHS.

People residing in the United States illegally may also receive remission of any civil fines or penalties incurred for failure to leave, DHS said, allowing them to return legally.

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President Donald Trump deployed additional personnel to the southern border after taking office and ended “catch and release.” (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

The Trump administration previously announced it closed fiscal 2025 with 237,565 Border Patrol arrests, the lowest number since 1970.

DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in October that the administration was “on track to break historic records” by tallying 600,000 deportations by the end of Trump’s first year back in office.

More than two million illegal immigrants have left the United States this year, she said, including 1.6 million self-deported, 515,000 deported and another 485,000 arrested.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October that migrants released on parole into the United States would face a $1,000 immigration fee. (AP Photo/Pablo Martínez Monsivais)

Trump deployed additional personnel to the southern border after taking office and ended “catch-and-release,” the practice of releasing illegal immigrants while awaiting hearings.

Peter Pinedo, Bonny Chu and Landon Mion of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.