Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary | official facebook
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will introduce a new $1,000 fee for foreign nationals paroled into the United States. The measure, which takes effect on October 16, 2025, is intended to increase accountability and reduce fraud in the immigration parole system.
Under the direction of Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS says the fee is part of a broader effort to improve oversight and prevent misuse of parole authority. According to DHS, this move responds to concerns about abuse within the program.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “The Biden Administration abused America’s immigration system and turned parole into a de facto amnesty program, thereby allowing millions of unvetted illegal aliens into the U.S., no questions asked, to the detriment of all Americans. Through the implementation of this new fee, President Trump and Secretary Noem are guaranteeing that foreign nationals, who wish to stay here, have skin in the game and do not exploit the system. This immigration parole fee notice is another tool to stop the degradation of our immigration system and restore law and order to our country.”
The $1,000 fee will apply to all individuals granted parole under Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), including those receiving initial parole, re-parole, parole in place, or release from DHS custody. There are ten statutory exemptions for certain categories.
The fee will be assessed when parole is actually granted—not at the time an application is filed or a travel document is issued. Any individual whose parole is approved on or after October 16, 2025 will be subject to this charge even if their request was submitted before that date.
Three DHS agencies—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—will be responsible for collecting these fees.
DHS has indicated that it may adjust the $1,000 amount annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Updates on any adjustments will be published each year in the Federal Register.
