Pursuant to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a new mandatory $1,000 parole application fee for certain noncitizens seeking parole into the United States who do not meet an exception. The fee is effective as of October 16, 2025, even if the parole request was submitted earlier. 

The fee appears to apply to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries and others seeking parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public interest. Subject to the discretion of DHS, the fee does not apply to applicants for adjustment of status (“green card” applicants) returning to the United States after temporary travel abroad, medical emergencies, and the funeral or imminent death of a close family member, among others. 

The $1,000 fee is triggered upon the actual grant of parole, not upon the filing of Form I-131 or the receipt of an approved travel document. The fee will be collected by the three DHS agencies responsible for parole decisions: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  

Foster LLP will continue to monitor changes in immigration benefits and will provide additional updates via our firm’s website at fosterglobal.com.