Immigration Parole Fee: DHS Announces $1K Charge Under HR-1

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally announced the rollout of a new immigration parole fee of $1,000, a measure mandated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). The rule, which officially takes effect on October 16, 2025, marks a major development in U.S. immigration policy, introducing additional financial requirements for non-citizens seeking temporary entry under parole authority.

Immigration Parole Fee: Background on HR-1 and Immigration Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced sweeping changes across multiple areas of government, including immigration. Among the changes, the law codified a series of new fees for immigration enforcement and lawful immigration programs. The newly announced Immigration Parole Fee is one of the most significant aspects of this package, designed to generate revenue while adding stricter conditions to temporary parole admissions.

These fees, set for Fiscal Year 2025, are subject to annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index—meaning they are likely to rise over time. DHS has already implemented several other fees from HR-1 earlier this year, but delayed announcing the parole fee until it had fully reviewed the numerous exceptions built into the law.

Who Must Pay the Immigration Parole Fee?

According to DHS, the $1,000 immigration parole fee will be required each time an individual is granted parole under section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes initial parole, re-parole, parole from DHS custody, and parole in place. Importantly, the fee will only be collected after parole is granted—not when an application is filed or a travel document is issued.

The operative event is the actual effectuation of parole into the United States. This means even if a parole request was submitted before October 16, 2025, the fee will still apply if DHS grants parole on or after that date.

Immigration Parole Fee: Exceptions to the $1,000 Fee

HR-1 outlines ten exceptions where the fee will not apply. These exceptions cover urgent humanitarian scenarios such as:

• Medical emergencies where treatment is unavailable abroad.

• Parents or guardians of minors with life-threatening conditions.

• Organ or tissue donors who must travel urgently.

• Aliens seeking to attend the funeral or deathbed of a close family member.

• Certain adopted children with urgent medical needs.

• Individuals returning from temporary travel abroad with pending adjustment of status.

• Individuals paroled to attend U.S. immigration hearings.

• Cuban and Haitian entrants under U.S. law.

• Persons assisting U.S. law enforcement in significant public benefit cases.

In each case, DHS will require proof and exercise discretion in determining whether the fee can be waived.

How the Fee Will Be Collected

Collection responsibilities will be divided among U.S. immigration agencies:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Will collect the fee at ports of entry when granting parole.

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Will collect the fee for aliens granted parole within the U.S. under its authority.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Will require payment before finalizing parole approvals such as parole in place or re-parole applications.

Failure to pay the fee when required will result in denial of parole.

Implications of the New Policy

The implementation of the Immigration Parole Fee represents a pivotal shift in U.S. immigration practice. While DHS emphasizes that exceptions exist for humanitarian and public benefit cases, immigration advocates warn that the fee could create significant barriers for vulnerable individuals who lack financial resources.

At the same time, policymakers backing the measure argue that it helps offset administrative costs and deters abuse of the parole process, ensuring that parole is used strictly for urgent humanitarian and public interest needs.

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