ICE rescinds half-million dollar fine against undocumented immigrant living in Ohio church

ICE also withdrew fines for six other women who were living inside churches across the country to avoid deportation, according to the National Sanctuary Collective.

The fines drew national attention earlier this year and spawned legislation to grant Espinal deportation relief. ICE began issuing notices of its intent to fine migrants last December following President Donald Trump's executive order, issued a year earlier, instructing the agency to begin collecting fines from migrants unlawfully in the US.

CNN has reached out to ICE for comment.

In a letter received by the families, ICE wrote, "Following consideration of matters you forwarded for ICE review, and in the exercise of discretion under applicable regulations, ICE hereby withdraws the Notice of Intention to Fine," according to the National Sanctuary Collective.

"We knew that these exorbitant fines were illegal and nothing more than a tool to scare our clients and retaliate against them for fighting back and standing up to this administration," said Lizbeth Mateo, Espinal's attorney.

In July, CNN reported that Espinal, a Mexican national, had received a letter from ICE notifying her that it intended to fine her for staying in the US illegally over several years and failing to follow orders to leave the country, her attorney said at the time.