USCIS Introduces New Immigration Fees and Procedures Required by H.R.1

You might care about this because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released new rules for immigration. These rules are called an 'interim final rule' which means they are effective now but also open for public comments. They put into law several new fees and changes required by a new law called the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' or H.R.1. This means if you apply for asylum, you will now pay a fee that is not refundable, even if your application is rejected. There is also a new yearly asylum fee. If you do not pay this yearly fee, your asylum application and any work permit request may be denied. Another change is a new fee for the Form I-94 document. Also, work permits for people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will now have shorter validity periods. These changes aim to make individuals applying for immigration benefits pay more of the costs of running the immigration system. The new rules started on May 29, 2026, and you can submit comments until June 29, 2026. What is particularly interesting about this document is that these changes are not optional for DHS. They are directly required by Congress through H.R.1. This shows a clear shift in policy where the government intends for individuals seeking immigration benefits to cover more of the related costs. The fact that an asylum application fee is not refundable, even if the application is rejected, is a notable change. The introduction of an Annual Asylum Fee that can lead to the denial of an application and work permit is also a significant financial and procedural hurdle for asylum seekers. The immediate effect of this interim rule, even while comments are invited, highlights the urgency DHS places on implementing these congressional mandates. It means these changes are happening quickly and will impact many people right away. People most interested in these new rules include individuals applying for asylum and those who already have Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Their families and employers will also be directly affected. Immigration attorneys, legal aid groups, and advocates for immigrant rights will need to understand these changes to advise their clients. Government agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are also very interested as they implement and manage these rules. Policy experts, academics, and anyone studying immigration law or government administration will find this document relevant. Finally, members of Congress who passed H.R.1 will be interested in how their new law is being put into practice.