On October 16, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new $1,000 fee for foreign nationals granted parole into the United States. The measure aims to increase accountability and prevent widespread fraud and abuse of the immigration parole program, which officials say was misused under previous policies.

According to DHS, the fee applies to all individuals paroled under INA Section 212(d)(5)(A), including initial parole, re-parole, parole in place, or parole from DHS custody. The fee is triggered when parole is granted, not when the request is filed. It will be collected by CBP, ICE, and USCIS, the three DHS components responsible for parole decisions.

Key Details:

• Effective October 16, 2025, for all new parole grants.
• Ten statutory exemptions exist, but most applicants will be subject to the fee.
• The fee may be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
• DHS will publish annual updates in the Federal Register.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated:
“Through this new fee, President Trump and Secretary Noem are restoring integrity to our immigration system and ensuring that foreign nationals have skin in the game.”