The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that, effective October 16, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will charge a new $1,000 immigration parole fee for individuals granted parole or re-parole into the United States. Established under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, the fee includes limited exemptions and annual inflation adjustments.
DHS Implements New Immigration Parole Fee
The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule requiring that individuals paroled into the United States must pay a $1,000 immigration parole fee. The policy change, enacted through the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, is part of ongoing fiscal and immigration policy reforms aimed at making federal immigration programs sustainable.
The Federal Register notice outlines the details of the fee, including its effective date, exceptions, and payment instructions. DHS officials stated that the fee would be reviewed annually and inflation-indexed to keep pace with the cost of processing the parole process. The department cast the adjustment as a financially necessary move to process immigration caseloads more economically.
USCIS Sets October 16 Enforcement Date
Starting October 16, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin implementing the new fee rule for all applicants seeking parole or re-parole into the United States. USCIS will notify applicants formally when they determine parole eligibility and inform them to make payment before final approval.
Each notice will include specific instructions and a payment deadline, along with clearly established consequences for failure to comply. Failure to make payment within the specified time will result in USCIS denying the request for parole. The agency once again instructed individuals not to pay the fee when filing Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document), as the fee will only be collected after parole approval is granted.
Exceptions and Agency Coordination
The DHS explained that certain groups of people, such as those involved in national security, humanitarian, or public interest projects, may be eligible for exemptions or fee waivers. The Federal Register notice, which highlights the department’s commitment to upholding humanitarian discretion while implementing cost-recovery mechanisms, details the exceptions.
In some cases, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also accept the parole fee, depending on jurisdiction and type of parole action. DHS warned that failure to follow payment instructions might result in delayed processing or outright denial of parole.
Officials also stated that the new fee policy is part of an overall administrative reform effort aimed at promoting oversight and transparency in immigration parole operations. It should simplify case management, reduce backlogs, and facilitate coordination among DHS agencies.
DHS Operations Continue Despite Shutdown
Despite the current federal government shutdown, the DHS stated that immigration parole processing and the implementation of the new fee will not be discontinued. Essential immigration functions, the agency explained, remain active as part of the department’s national security and border management responsibilities.
Officials emphasized that the parole fee is designed to alleviate the financial burden on the federal government while ensuring that immigration services remain functional and self-sustaining. DHS described this move as part of its “lawful and responsible stewardship” of U.S. immigration policy during fiscal uncertainty.
Looking Ahead
The single most extensive procedural reform, the $1,000 immigration parole fee, will impact thousands of petitioners annually, including those applying for humanitarian relief, family reunification, or temporary relief. For all information regarding waivers, timelines, and enforcement, applicants and advocates are advised to consult the Federal Register notice and look for follow-up news.
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