Court Enters More Than $668,000 Judgment Against Honduran National Who Failed to Comply with Removal Order

MIAMI - A Southern District of Florida court has entered a judgment of more than $668,000 against a Honduran national who remained in the U.S. for more than three years after she was ordered removed from the country.

According to court documents, on July 22, 2022, an immigration judge ordered Kenia Elizabeth Vasquez Dubon removed from the U.S. to Honduras. The removal order became final on Aug. 23, 2022, Vasquez Dubon was advised that she could face daily civil penalties if she failed to depart the U.S. as ordered.

"Immigration court orders are not optional," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "Kenia Elizabeth Vasquez Dubon was ordered removed from the United States, repeatedly warned of the consequences of refusing to comply, and nevertheless remained in the country for years. This $668,390.95 judgment reflects the serious consequences that can follow when a final removal order is willfully ignored."

Despite the final order of removal and multiple notices from the government, including a Notice of Intent to Fine and an invoice demanding payment, Vasquez Dubon remained in the U.S.

The Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the imposition of civil penalties against individuals who fail to depart the U.S. following a final order of removal. In granting the U.S.'s motion for default judgment, U.S. District Judge Ed. Artau found that Vasquez Dubon had willfully violated the immigration judge's order by remaining in the U.S. and that a civil penalty was appropriate.

The court entered judgment in favor of the U.S. in the amount of $668,390.95, representing the balance of the daily civil fine, calculated at $998 per day, plus statutory interest through Feb. 6.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case numbers 26-cv-80141.

The Order Granting United States' Motion for Default Final Judgment is available here.

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