The One Big Beautiful Bill: A Closer Look at New and Rising Immigration Fees

On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R.1 – The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. immigration system that dramatically increases enforcement funding, tightens entry pathways, and—crucially—raises or introduces new immigration-related fees across nearly all categories.

Supporters call it a long-overdue modernization of border policy. Critics argue it places undue financial pressure on low-income immigrants and asylum seekers. This post explores the new and increased fees introduced by the legislation and how they reshape access to immigration relief in the United States.

  • New Asylum Application Fee: $1,000
    Previously free, this fee now applies to all new asylum filings.
  • Annual Pending Asylum Fee: $100/year
    Even if an application is still pending, this recurring cost applies until adjudication.
  • Work Authorization (Form I-765) for Asylees: $550
    A significant increase from previous costs of ~$410.
  • Appeal/Motion Filing Fee: $900
    Up from under $120, this fee applies to legal motions or appeals in immigration court.
  • Humanitarian Parole Entry Fee: $1,000
    For individuals seeking urgent entry under parole authority.
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Application Fee: $500
    Introduced to offset processing and security vetting costs.
  • Adjustment of Status (Green Card): $1,500
    Up from ~$1,225 when bundled with biometrics and EAD.
  • Waiver of Inadmissibility (I-601): $1,050
    Previously under $930; applies to individuals seeking to overcome inadmissibility barriers.
  • Visa Integrity Fee (All Categories): $250
    A new surcharge for all visa types, supporting fraud detection and enforcement.
  • I-94 Arrival/Departure Fee: $30
    Introduced for administrative tracking and data integration.
  • Failure to Appear / Entry Without Inspection: $5,000
    A non-waivable penalty for immigration violations, enforced by ICE with limited discretion.
  • 1% Tax on Money Transfers
    Applies to outbound remittances sent via non-bank institutions like money services or wire agencies.
  • The fees make USCIS self-sufficient and reduce taxpayer burden.
  • Increased costs discourage fraudulent filings and abuse of humanitarian systems.
  • New charges put immigration relief out of reach for low-income individuals and families.
  • The asylum and parole fees violate international humanitarian principles.
  • Fee hikes are regressive and disproportionately affect Black, Brown, and Global South immigrants.
  • Asylum Seekers: Previously fee-exempt, now face thousands in recurring charges.
  • Mixed-Status Families: U.S. citizen children may be affected if parents cannot afford status adjustments.
  • Humanitarian Applicants: TPS, DACA, and parole applicants now face costly new hurdles.
  • Small Remitters: Individuals sending money abroad now lose 1% to the federal government.

While the revenue from these fees is intended to help fund the bill’s $170 billion enforcement apparatus, the estimated $1.2 billion in projected collections over ten years remains modest in comparison. The broader question is ethical: Should humanitarian relief and legal protections be tied to one’s ability to pay?

Conclusion

H.R.1 may reshape the American immigration system, but it does so with a financial barrier that many argue is both unnecessary and unjust. As these changes begin to take effect, legal service providers, advocacy organizations, and affected families are bracing for a wave of new challenges—and preparing for the legal and legislative fights to come.

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