A Canadian who illegally crossed the border this week was fined $5,000 for breaking U.S. law, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports. At $5,000 a pop, that could add up to significant revenue if the government fined all those who have illegally entered the U.S.

On the afternoon of Sept. 7, a U.S. Border Patrol agent from the Houlton Sector arrested a 44 year-old male Canadian citizen for illegally entering the United States south of the Notre Dame, Canada border crossing area.

Because the Canadian entered the U.S. without lawful inspection, he was assessed a $5,000 civil penalty under 19 USC 1459 for Failure to Report. He will not have to go through a judicial process and will have approximately 30 days to pay the fine.

The citizen of Canada (Lebanese national) was returned to Canada on an expedited removal via the Woburn, Quebec, port of entry.

A 40 year-old U.S. citizen was also arrested that day on the same charge and assessed the same $5,000 fine before being released on his own recognizance.

If every one of illegal aliens in the U.S. was assessed the same fine and subjected to expedited removal, the government could both solve the immigration problem - and generate a significant amount of revenue as our national debt approaches $12 trillion.

The latest Pew research estimates that there are 11.7 million illegal aliens in the country. At $5,000 each, that would add $58.5 BILLION to the federal coffers.

And, that's just based on the low estimate. According to the chairman of the National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers, Inc., there are as many as 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. - and a study by anti-illegal immigration group Californians for Population Stabilization (CAPS) says that number could be as high as 38 million.

At 20 million illegal aliens, the government could collect $100 BILLION in fines. And, at 38 million illegal border-crashers, it could generate a whopping $190 BILLION.

A billion here, a billion there, and before you know it, you're talking real money (even in the government).

Just saying...