The New $100 Asylum Filing Fee Is Here—And It’s Already Causing Chaos

A New Fee, No Way to Pay—And Deadlines That Can’t Wait

As if applying for asylum in the United States weren’t stressful enough, a new twist has just made the process even more difficult.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, a brand‑new $100 annual asylum application fee quietly went into effect. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed on July 4, 2025, asylum seekers are now required to pay this additional fee for every calendar year their asylum case remains pending.

But here’s the problem:

1. USCIS has not created a way to pay the fee.
2. Many immigration courts nationwide are refusing to accept asylum applications without proof of payment.
3. And the one‑year filing deadline still applies—miss it, and you can lose your right to apply for asylum forever.

At the Law Office of Lina Baroudi in San Jose, we’re fielding calls daily from people terrified that this new requirement could derail their entire case. Let’s break down what this means, what risks you face, and what you can do right now to protect yourself.

What is the New Asylum Fee?

Under Title X, Subtitle A, Part I of H.R.1, Congress imposed new fees on a range of immigration applications. According to NAFSA’s update:

• Asylum Application Fee: A new fee of at least $100 per calendar year while your case is pending.
• Asylum Work Permit Fees: An initial employment authorization fee of at least $550 and renewal fees of at least $275.

While many immigration benefits already have filing fees, this is the first time in modern history that the U.S. has charged a separate fee to apply for asylum.

Why is This Fee Such a Problem Right Now?

Ordinarily, you would simply pay the fee with your application. But as of today, USCIS has not released instructions or a system to accept the $100 payment.

USCIS stated in a July 11, 2025 news alert:

“USCIS will soon begin to collect new fees for certain immigration benefit requests. We will provide details on the implementation of these fee changes in the coming days.”

Until those details are released, applicants are in a legal limbo:

• Courts are rejecting filings because the fee hasn’t been paid.
• Applicants can’t pay the fee because no payment mechanism exists.
• Deadlines keep ticking.

The One-Year Asylum Filing Deadline: Why You Can’t Wait

U.S. immigration law requires most people to file for asylum within one year of their last entry into the United States. Missing that deadline can mean losing your chance to apply—forever.

This is why the current situation is so dangerous:

• You must still submit your asylum application on time.
• Even if the court rejects it for nonpayment, you need proof that you attempted to file before your one‑year deadline.
• That proof can be critical evidence to preserve your right to apply later.

What Should You Do If You’re Ready to File for Asylum?

Here is the practical guidance we are giving our clients in San Jose and throughout California:

1. File Your Asylum Application Anyway

Do not wait for USCIS to announce the payment process if you’re approaching your one-year deadline. Submit your I‑589 asylum application before the deadline, even if you can’t pay the $100 fee yet.

2. Keep Proof of Your Attempt to File

If your application is rejected for failure to pay the fee, keep the rejection notice and any proof of mailing or filing. This documentation shows that you tried to comply with the law within the required time.

3. Monitor Updates Daily

USCIS has said it will issue guidance “in the coming days.” Check USCIS.gov regularly, and work with an attorney to act quickly once payment methods are announced.

4. Get Legal Advice Now

Every case is different. Some applicants may have exceptions to the one-year deadline, while others may not. A lawyer can help you understand your options and reduce your risks.

Why Did Congress Add This Fee?

The One Big Beautiful Bill was marketed as a way to generate revenue and fund immigration enforcement. According to NAFSA, the law imposed new fees on a wide range of applications—from visas to TPS to asylum—to offset federal spending.

Supporters claim that these fees will help process cases more efficiently. Critics, including many in the immigration law community, see them as yet another barrier for vulnerable people fleeing persecution.

What We’re Seeing on the Ground in San Jose

In just the past week, our office has spoken with asylum seekers who:

• Arrived months ago and are racing against the one-year clock.
• Are terrified their applications will be rejected because they can’t pay a fee no one can pay.
• Are confused about whether submitting without payment will hurt their case.

We’ve also heard reports from colleagues nationwide of courts refusing to docket asylum filings until proof of payment is provided. This creates a risk that cases will be unfairly labeled as “late filed.”

What’s at Risk If You Don’t Act Before Your Deadline

Missing the one-year filing deadline can bar you from asylum entirely, leaving you only with limited forms of relief like withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture—relief that is far harder to win and offers far fewer benefits.

That’s why, despite the chaos, the advice is clear: get your application in on time and work with an experienced immigration attorney.

Get Step‑By‑Step Support From a San Jose Immigration Lawyer

At the Law Office of Lina Baroudi, we know how unsettling this news is. You are already trying to build a new life while carrying the trauma that led you to seek asylum. Now, the system is putting up another barrier—and it’s one you cannot ignore.

Here’s how we help:

• We track every policy change and fee update from USCIS in real time.
• We work with clients to file strategic, timely asylum applications—even when the rules are shifting.
• We fight to preserve your rights with documented proof of every step you’ve taken.

Schedule a consultation with our firm today.

Do not wait. If your one‑year deadline is approaching, we need to act now.

Don’t Let Confusion Cost You Your Future

The new $100 asylum filing fee is more than just a line in a budget—it’s a roadblock that could keep people from the protection they desperately need. Until USCIS provides a payment method, the best way to protect yourself is to file anyway and keep proof of your attempt.

You deserve safety, stability, and a fair shot at asylum. Let us help you get there.