House Republicans have introduced a sweeping immigration bill that would impose new fees on immigrants, including a first-ever $1,000 fee to apply for asylum in the United States. The proposal also includes a $550 charge every six months to renew work permits for asylum seekers, parolees, and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Spearheaded by the House Judiciary Committee, the bill seeks to generate $77 billion in funding for expanding immigration detention centers, increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staffing, and supporting immigration courts.
Currently, most immigrants pay up to $520 for a two-year work permit. Under the proposed legislation, work permit validity for certain groups would be cut to six months, significantly increasing renewal costs. The bill would also eliminate fee waivers for low-income applicants, marking a major shift in U.S. asylum policy.
Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and other proponents argue the fees reflect the true cost of immigration processing and are necessary to modernize the system. However, critics warn the plan could hinder access to legal protections for vulnerable migrants and erode core humanitarian principles.
The bill has not yet been enacted and must still pass through Congress and be signed by the president to become law.
