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New budget law burdens asylum seekers, TPS holders, and parole applicants with punishing fees and no waivers
On July 4, 2025, while fireworks lit up the sky in celebration of America’s independence, Maria, an asylum seeker from Honduras, sat on the floor of a shelter in El Paso clutching a stack of paperwork. She had just learned that filing for asylum would now cost her $100—a fee she couldn’t afford. She wondered if freedom in America had always come with a price tag.
That same day, President Donald J. Trump quietly signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Much of the media spotlight has fixated on the bill’s sweeping tax breaks for the wealthy and the deep federal cuts to health care and nutrition assistance. But buried in its fine print is a quieter, more insidious blow—one aimed squarely at immigrant communities across the country.
At its core, the new law escalates the financial and bureaucratic barriers for individuals seeking safety, legal status, or simply a chance to remain with their families. Immigration fees that were once burdensome have now become punitive. For many, justice may now be unaffordable.
A Toll Bridge Over Troubled Waters
For the first time in U.S. history, asylum seekers will be required to pay a $100 initial fee simply to file an application. And that’s just the beginning. For every year their case remains pending, an additional $100 fee applies. For those requesting work permits (Employment Authorization Documents or EADs) while their cases are under review, a $550 initial fee and $275 renewal fee will now be mandatory—with no waivers permitted.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants face a $500 application fee and an additional $550 for an EAD. Like asylum seekers, they must renew that work permit annually for $275. Humanitarian parole applicants will see a staggering $1,000 fee to apply, alongside identical EAD costs and validity restrictions. Even Special Immigrant Juveniles—often vulnerable children fleeing abuse or neglect—now face a $250 petition fee.
Here is a summary of the new immigration fees:
| Case Type | Initial Fee | Renewal/Subsequent Fee | Fee Waiver Available? | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asylum application | $100 | $100 per year pending | No | |
| Asylum applicant EAD | $550 | $275 per renewal | No | EAD ends if application denied and not appealed |
| TPS application | $500 | — | No | |
| TPS EAD | $550 | $275 per renewal | No | EAD valid for one year or length of TPS grant |
| Immigration parole application | $1,000 | — | No | AOS applicants exempt from this fee |
| Parole EAD | $550 | $275 per renewal | No | Valid for one year or length of parole |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | $250 | N/A | Not prohibited |
Additional fees impacting immigration processes:
| Fee Type | Amount | Fee Waiver? | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa integrity fee | $250 | No | Reimbursed if visa terms followed |
| I-94 form | $24 | No | |
| ESTA authorization | $13 | No | |
| EVUS enrollment | $30 | No | Applies to certain Chinese nationals |
All fees will be adjusted annually for inflation and may increase further by DHS regulation. For context, between 2016 and 2024, the average USCIS application fee increased by over 60%—a trend that suggests even steeper costs ahead.
In the Courts and at the Border
For those facing deportation in immigration court, the hurdles mount. The bill imposes new, significant fees on applications filed during removal proceedings, including those for adjustment of status and TPS. Meanwhile, a $250 “visa integrity fee” has been added to every visa application. This fee will only be reimbursed if the applicant abides by all visa terms and departs or adjusts status on time.
Other travel-related fees have also risen: the I-94 arrival/departure form now costs $24, ESTA authorizations $13, and EVUS enrollment for certain Chinese nationals $30. None are waivable.
A Machinery of Detention and Deportation
Beyond paperwork, the financial blueprint of the bill reveals its true intent: mass detention and expedited deportation. The bill authorizes $170 billion for immigration enforcement. That includes $45 billion for new detention centers, $30 billion for ICE operations, and $46.5 billion to complete the border wall.
Detention capacity is set to rise to 116,000 beds—almost double the already controversial levels. Another $13.5 billion is allocated to reimburse states and local governments that assist in federal immigration enforcement. Alarmingly, the bill caps the number of Immigration Judges at 800, despite a case backlog nearing four million. Experts say at least 1,300 judges are needed to clear the docket.
This imbalance suggests a strategy to sideline due process altogether. With fewer judges and more funding for enforcement, immigrants may face deportation without meaningful judicial review.
The Impact on Families and Futures
These policy shifts don’t exist in a vacuum. They directly impact families who fled persecution, students pursuing dreams, and workers supporting American industries. For an asylum-seeking family of four, annual application and work permit fees could now exceed $2,000—with no guarantee of protection. For TPS holders working minimum-wage jobs, the cost of staying compliant may outpace their income.
The chilling effect is real. Communities already living in the shadows may forgo lawful processes altogether, fearing both cost and consequence.
Where We Go From Here
As legal advocates scramble to support clients through these changes, immigrant communities must stay informed, organized, and vocal. Legal aid networks, pro bono attorneys, and local organizations will be crucial in navigating the new landscape.
This moment demands vigilance—and vision. As America celebrates its freedom, it must ask: Who is being shut out of that promise? Because behind the red tape and rising costs are human lives, waiting for the chance to belong.
As immigration advocate Rosa Hernández says, “We fight not just for entry, but for dignity.” Stay proud, stay grounded, stay true.
#ImmigrantJustice #AsylumFees #TPSUnderThreat #StopThePaywall #DeportationMachine #TrumpPolicy #HumanRights #ImmigrationLaw #NoHumanIsIllegal
