(The Epoch Times)—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Thursday that more than $84 billion worth of civil fines have been imposed on illegal immigrants for their refusal to exit the United States.
In total, 103,000 such fines have been issued to illegal immigrants since the beginning of the Trump administration, the DHS said in a July 23 statement.
The fines include a $998 per day charge levied on any illegal immigrant who does not leave the country voluntarily, even after a final order for removal has been issued in their name.
“Under President [Donald] Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, DHS is working faster than ever before to remove criminal illegal aliens from our country,” Lauren Bis, assistant secretary of the DHS’s Office of Public Affairs, said in the statement.
“Our message to illegal aliens is clear: LEAVE NOW. If you don’t, you will face the consequences, including fines, arrest, and deportation. Illegal aliens have a choice: They can use the CBP Home app and receive a free flight home and $2,600, or be fined, arrested, and deported.”
In June last year, the DHS and the Department of Justice announced a new federal rule streamlining the process of issuing fines for illegal immigrants, making it more efficient and easier.
The update removed a provision that provided illegal immigrants a 30-day notice of the intent to fine them before fines are actually imposed. It also authorized DHS immigration officers to send fines to illegal immigrants through regular mail and shortened the process applied when illegal immigrants contest their penalties.
The fining of illegal immigrants has faced legal challenges. In a July 8 statement, the Legal Aid Justice Center announced filing a lawsuit on behalf of an illegal immigrant from Virginia who is facing over $1.8 million in immigration fines.
The individual entered the United States in 2016 with a minor child. In 2017, an order of removal was issued against both individuals. In February, DHS assessed an over $1.8 million fine against the individual. The lawsuit accused the fines of being “grossly disproportionate” to the plaintiff’s economic circumstances.
“A $1.8 million fine is not immigration enforcement. It is government intimidation,” Rohmah Javed, director of the Immigrant Justice Program at the center, said in the statement.
“The federal government is reviving obscure enforcement powers to financially devastate immigrant families and send a chilling message. These fines are designed to create fear, not compliance, and no government agency should have unchecked power to impose this kind of life-destroying punishment.”
In June last year, when the DHS announced the streamlined process for fining illegal immigrants, the then-DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “The law doesn’t enforce itself; there must be consequences for breaking it,” adding that Trump was making the government more effective and efficient at enforcing immigration laws.
The financial penalty on illegal immigrants is one more reason why they must self-deport from the United States before it’s too late, McLaughlin said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Illegal Immigration Cost Recovery Act last month that seeks to double the civil financial penalties imposed on illegal immigrants who enter or attempt to enter the United States, the lawmaker’s office said in a June 11 statement.
The higher penalties would also apply to individuals with a final order of removal from the United States who fail or refuse to exit the country.
Employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants for work despite them not being authorized to be employed in the United States will face increased financial penalties as well.
“Decades of open border policies have created an enormous and unfair cost burden on Americans that needs to be offset to make things right; meanwhile, those that entered our country illegally should face consequences for their actions,” Scott said in the statement.
“This commonsense bill enforces the law and ensures illegal aliens can’t keep ripping off our country and undermining the hardworking Americans who pay taxes and follow the rules.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
