The recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces sweeping changes across multiple sectors—and immigration is no exception. The law contains a series of significant and controversial provisions that could have a lasting impact on asylum seekers, parolees, and other immigrant populations in the United States.
First-Ever Fee for Asylum Applications
In a dramatic policy shift, the legislation establishes—for the first time—a mandatory $1,000 fee for individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. Previously, asylum applications had no filing cost due to the humanitarian nature of the process. Now, applicants will also need to pay an additional $550 to apply for work authorization and will be charged at least $100 annually while their asylum case remains pending. Parolees—individuals allowed to temporarily enter the country on humanitarian grounds—may face similar fees.
Shorter Work Permit Validity, Higher Costs
Under the new law, immigrants applying for work permits based on asylum or parole status must now renew their employment authorization every six months. Each renewal comes with a fee of at least $550, significantly increasing the financial burden for those trying to work legally while their immigration case is being adjudicated. Even recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are not exempt from this renewal schedule.
Limitations on Access to Public Benefits
The bill also includes major restrictions on access to federal aid programs. Immigrants in several categories—including refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of human trafficking or domestic violence—are now excluded from benefits such as Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often known as food stamps.
These changes are raising concerns among immigrant advocacy groups, who warn that cutting off access to healthcare and nutrition programs for vulnerable populations could have serious public health and humanitarian consequences.
New Tax on Remittances
A new financial penalty targets immigrants without Social Security numbers by imposing a 3.5% tax on money they send abroad—known as remittances. These payments, often used to support family members in other countries, are a lifeline for many. Immigrants with valid SSNs will be eligible to claim tax credits to help offset this new remittance tax, but those without legal status will likely shoulder the full cost.
Funding Boost for Detention Infrastructure and Border Enforcement
In addition to cost increases for immigrants, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act directs increased federal funding toward expanding and upgrading immigrant detention centers, border checkpoints, surveillance technologies, and related staffing. Supporters of the bill say these investments will strengthen national security, while critics argue that the emphasis on enforcement further criminalizes immigrants and diverts resources away from humanitarian needs.
What Immigrants Should Know
These changes are extensive and may affect a wide range of individuals—from asylum seekers to TPS holders to undocumented workers. Immigrants currently in the U.S. or planning to apply for legal status should consult an immigration attorney to understand how these new rules may impact them and their families.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks one of the most aggressive legislative overhauls of immigration policy in recent years, and it signals the Trump administration’s continuing shift toward stricter controls and higher barriers for immigrants seeking relief in the United States.
