Federal judge blocks Trump administration fines of up to $1.8M for migrants

A federal court in Boston has halted the Department of Homeland Security's effort to levy penalties as high as $1.8 million on migrants who remained in the country after final removal orders. Judge George O'Toole, a Clinton appointee, ruled Monday that the government's method of issuing the penalties broke federal law, granting the plaintiffs early, preliminary relief while their case continues, according to Fox News.

Two migrants brought the class-action suit, which covers a much larger group of people who got such penalties. O'Toole concluded the notices ran afoul of the Administrative Procedure Act because they never laid out specific allegations about why a particular person's conduct deserved a fine. He also warned that people already living on thin margins could be driven into insolvency, facing wage garnishment, the loss of cars and homes, and federal collection suits. Even a final win, he wrote, might not restore their circumstances.

The judge singled out plaintiff Nancy M., who was assessed more than $1.8 million. She works two jobs totaling over 60 hours weekly, and has reported severe anxiety that disrupts her sleeping and eating. O'Toole noted the plaintiffs had come to the United States to flee political violence.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →