WASHINGTON — House Republicans unveiled a sweeping proposal this week that would impose hefty new fees on immigrants—including asylum seekers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders—to fund border security and immigration enforcement.
The legislation, advanced by the House Judiciary Committee, would require certain immigrants to pay $550 every six months to renew their work permits—a sharp increase from current costs. It would also introduce first-ever fees for asylum applications and significantly raise costs for parolees and sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children.
Key Provisions of the Proposal
Work permits (Form I-765): $550 initial fee, plus $550 every six months for renewals (applies to asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS recipients).
Asylum applications: A first-time $1,000 fee to file for asylum.
Parole program: $1,000 fee for most immigrants paroled into the U.S.
Sponsors of migrant children: $3,500 fee per child.
Annual asylum maintenance fee: $100 while cases are pending.
Elimination of fee waivers, which currently assist low-income applicants.
GOP: Fees Would Fund Border Crackdown
Supporters, including House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), argue the measure would generate $77 billion to expand ICE detention capacity, hire more enforcement personnel, and bolster immigration courts.
“The current fee structure hasn’t been updated in decades and doesn’t cover the real costs of processing,” Jordan said in a statement.
Critics: Penalizing Legal Immigrants
Opponents, including immigrant rights groups, call the plan a de facto barrier to legal immigration, arguing it would price out vulnerable populations.
“This isn’t about cost recovery—it’s about shutting the door on people fleeing persecution,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council.
The bill faces slim chances in the Democratic-controlled Senate but signals House Republicans’ hardline stance ahead of 2024 elections.
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