Border Patrol to impose $5,000 apprehension fee
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks said Thursday that nearly all detained illegal immigrants aged 14 and older who entered without inspection will be charged a $5,000 'apprehension fee,' citing authority in the July 'big, beautiful bill.' The policy, announced in an X post, applies regardless of how long a person has been in the U.S. or any ongoing proceedings, and comes as a new lawsuit challenges separate daily civil penalties; DHS has also set a $1,000 fee for parolees and launched a self-deportation incentive.
đ Key Facts
- Chief Michael Banks announced the fee Dec. 4, 2025 via X; applies to illegal entrants 14+ detained by Border Patrol
- Fee is tied to a provision in the immigration law signed in July ('big, beautiful bill')
- Separate lawsuit filed on behalf of 21,500 immigrants challenges daily penalties of $998 (up to $1.8 million each)
đ Relevant Data
The unauthorized immigrant population in the United States reached 14 million in 2023, accounting for 4.1% of the total U.S. population and 27% of the foreign-born population.
U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population Reached a Record 14 Million in 2023 â Pew Research Center
In 2023, 30% of unauthorized immigrants were from Mexico, 6% from Guatemala, 6% from El Salvador, 5.5% from Honduras, 4.9% from India, and 4.6% from Venezuela.
U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population Reached a Record 14 Million in 2023 â Pew Research Center
In mid-2023, the national poverty rate for unauthorized immigrants was 19%, with 47% having family income below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Changing Origins, Rising Numbers: Unauthorized Immigrants in the United States â Migration Policy Institute
Unauthorized immigrants in Texas had arrest rates for violent crimes less than half that of U.S.-born citizens, for drug crimes less than half, and for property crimes one-quarter, based on data from 2012 to 2018.
Immigrants and Crime in the United States â Migration Policy Institute
In 2023, 9.7 million unauthorized immigrants were in the U.S. labor force, representing 5.6% of the total U.S. workforce, with high concentrations in construction (15%) and agriculture (14%).
U.S. Unauthorized Immigrant Population Reached a Record 14 Million in 2023 â Pew Research Center