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US apprehension fee: In a sweeping escalation of its immigration crackdown, the Donald Trump administration has begun charging a USD 5,000 “apprehension fee” (about Rs 4.15 lakh) to individuals aged 14 and above who are found to have entered the United States illegally.

The fee now in effect nationwide was authorised under the administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congress earlier this year.

US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks confirmed the move in a post on X, stating that the penalty applies to “all illegal aliens, regardless of where they entered, how long they’ve been in the US, their current location, or any ongoing immigration proceedings.” Officials say the fee will be levied at the time of apprehension for anyone deemed inadmissible after crossing between ports of entry.

Part Of Larger Enforcement Push

The new financial penalty is one of several measures introduced as the administration attempts to speed up removals and reduce pressure on the southern border. Since returning to office, President Trump has ended the long-criticised “catch-and-release” practice, expanded detention operations, and deployed agents to interior cities far from the border.

Immigration enforcement teams have been making arrests in public parking lots, day-laborer hiring zones, and commercial hubs in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Phoenix. Their presence has triggered multiple lawsuits over alleged excessive force and warrantless arrests.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the apprehension fee quietly took effect in September. Those who fail to pay will accumulate a debt owed to the US government, which could later block their eligibility for legal entry.

Additional Fees For Humanitarian Applications

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also created several new charges tied to humanitarian relief categories. These include a non-waivable USD 100 fee for asylum filings, plus an annual USD 100 charge for pending cases, and a minimum USD 250 fee for applicants seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Alongside harsher penalties, the administration has launched an unusual incentive campaign branded as a “holiday deal of a lifetime.” Migrants who voluntarily return home are being offered a free flight and a $1,000 departure bonus if they register through the CBP Home app. Officials say more than 1.6 million people have self-deported so far this year, contributing to what they call a record drop in border apprehensions.

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DHS argues the fees reflect the high costs associated with processing and removing individuals who lack legal status. It estimates that the government spends roughly USD 17,000 to arrest, detain, and remove an individual, making voluntary departures far cheaper.

Immigration advocates say the apprehension fee is intended to intimidate vulnerable migrants and will likely face court challenges. “It’s one more coercive tactic,” said David Leopold, an immigration attorney based in Cleveland, arguing that such penalties could violate due-process protections.

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Despite criticism, the administration maintains the combination of fines, incentives, and expanded enforcement is necessary to stabilise the border and restore what it calls “order and fairness” to the immigration system.

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