The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) could impose a series of high fees for asylum applications, work permits, parole applications, and other immigration-related procedures. This proposal, which is still in the comment stage but has a high probability of being implemented, could go into effect as early as the next fiscal year.
General context: an unprecedented change in immigration rates
Currently, filing an asylum application in the United States is free; the fee is zero. However, the new regulation proposed by USCIS would radically change this dynamic. The measure seeks to impose fees that affect not only the initial filing of applications but also the renewal and follow-up processes of immigration cases. This represents a significant shift in immigration policy, impacting thousands of people seeking protection and regularization.
The fiscal year in the United States begins in September, not January like the calendar year, so these changes could be implemented as early as September 2025 if the regulation is approved and remains unchanged during the public comment period.
Proposed fees for asylum applications and related procedures
One of the most worrying aspects of the proposal is the charging of a fee $1,000 for each asylum applicationIt should be noted that this fee is for each application submitted, not for each family member referred to in the case. This means that if a person submits an asylum application and their family members also submit theirs, each individual application will be subject to this fee.
Furthermore, not only would an initial payment be applied, but a annual payment of $100 while the asylum case is pending, either at USCIS or in court. This annual fee is a new development that adds a constant financial burden to those facing protracted immigration proceedings.
Increase in work permit costs
Currently, the first work permit for asylum seekers costs zero dollars. The proposal calls for this permit to cost $100,000. $550, a significant increase. But what's more serious is that this work permit would be valid for only six months, forcing applicants to renew and pay again every six months.
This includes work permits for asylum seekers, parole, and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) applicants, all of which cost $550 for each semiannual renewal. Currently, TPS work permits are longer-term and less expensive, but if the measure is approved, they would also be affected.
Fees for parole applications and unaccompanied children
Humanitarian parole, an important tool for certain immigrants, will also see an increase in its fee, going from approximately $575 to $1,000 COP. per personAlthough there are some exceptions, these are very limited.
A particularly vulnerable group affected will be unaccompanied children entering the United States. Currently, processing for these children, including the application for the SIJ visa (Abandoned Child Visa), was free. The proposal includes a fee. $500 for these minors, which represents a drastic change in child immigration protection policy.
In addition, when these children are released to their sponsors (e.g., relatives or legal guardians), they would be charged a fee of $3,500 to cover the government's expenses during the detention and care of the minors. This unprecedented fee seeks to recover the money invested in these children's care.
Other significant charges
- Visa Integrity Fee: a new $250 fee related to the integrity of the immigration process.
- Copy of Form I-94: will cost $24.
- Continuations in immigration court: Each request for more court time will cost $100.
- Court Residences: will rise to $1,500.
- Court Pardon Requests: will cost $450.
- TPS Applications in Court: will cost $500.
- Visa Lottery Application: Each application will cost $400 and if you are the winner, you will pay $250 for the visa.
The proposal is currently in the public comment period, meaning it is not yet final. However, the likelihood of its implementation is high.
