By Philip Marcelo -
The Associated Press
A company that provides services to immigrants in federal detention must pay more than $811 million in fines and compensation following a lawsuit that alleged it used deceptive and abusive tactics.
Nexus Services must pay nearly $231 million in compensation, and fines of $13.8 million to New York, $7.1 million to Virginia, and $3.4 million to Massachusetts, according to a ruling filed in federal court in the Western District of Virginia in Harrisonburg. The Virginia-based company, its subsidiary Libre by Nexus, and three of its executives must also each pay more than $111 million in civil penalties.
Minors inside a capsule at the Donna Department of Homeland Security detention center in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. Dario Lopez-Mills / AP file
"This decision is a victory for thousands of immigrant families who lost their life savings and were targeted by Libre's predatory practices," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "Libre exploited immigrants vulnerable people and their families to fill their pockets, and that is illegal and inconceivable," he added.
James joined the attorneys general of Virginia and Massachusetts, as well as the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in a 2021 lawsuit that accused the company of violating state and federal consumer protection laws.
They charged that the company promised to secure the release of immigrants on bail while their immigration claims were processed, but concealed and misrepresented the true nature and costs of its services. They added that the company charged thousands of dollars in fees above the face value of the bonds and forced immigrants to wear painful ankle monitors.
District Judge Elizabeth Dillon noted in her decision that the company is neither a licensed bail bond agent nor a Treasury-certified bail bond company, but rather a “service provider that acts as an intermediary between detained immigrants, their bondsmen, and their agents.” of bail.”
The company said in a statement that it intends to appeal the ruling, calling it
“a shocking departure from normal American jurisprudence
,” as it was decided “without evidence, without a trial, and without a damages hearing.”
“We remain committed to serving our customers: people who suffer and sacrifice for a better life and who do not deserve to be political pawns in a legislature or a court,” the company added.