House Republicans have unveiled a bold proposal to charge a $1,000 fee to asylum seekers, igniting fierce debate over the future of U.S. immigration policy. The move is part of a sweeping 116-page legislative package crafted to strengthen border security and advance President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.
The proposal, released by the House Judiciary Committee, would not only impose a $1,000 application fee on all asylum seekers but also require a $3,500 fee from individuals sponsoring unaccompanied minors. In addition, asylees applying for work authorization would face a $550 charge. Supporters argue that the fees would help curb fraudulent asylum claims and ease the strain on an overwhelmed immigration system.
Funds collected through the new fees would be used to bolster border enforcement efforts, including the construction of new detention centers and the hiring of additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The bill also calls for significant expansions to the U.S.-Mexico border wall and seeks to increase detention facility capacity to house up to 100,000 individuals.
Critics claim the proposed fees could burden vulnerable populations seeking refuge, but Republican lawmakers maintain that securing the nation’s borders and restoring law and order must remain a top priority. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to reassert American sovereignty and ensure that the immigration system serves the nation’s interests, not open-borders advocates.
The House Judiciary Committee plans to review the legislation in the coming weeks, with the goal of tying it to broader tax reform and domestic spending packages. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled an urgency to move the bill forward, aiming for passage before Memorial Day.
