DHS Set to Impose New Parole Fee

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that beginning October 16, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will start collecting a $1,000 immigration parole fee, as required under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill passed by Congress on July 4, 2025.

In this context, “parole” refers to a discretionary authorization that allows an individual to enter or remain in the United States temporarily for humanitarian, national interest, or public benefit reasons. It is important to note that parole does not constitute a formal admission into the United States. According to DHS, the triggering event for the fee is the granting and effectuation of parole, not the filing of an application or request. In other words, the fee becomes due when parole is granted and takes effect, regardless of when the initial request was submitted.

Exceptions to the $1,000 Parole Fee – The following ten exceptions to the payment of the $1,000 fee are available:

• The alien has a medical emergency and the alien cannot obtain necessary treatment in the foreign state in which the alien is residing; or the medical emergency is life-threatening and there is insufficient time for the alien to be admitted to the United States through the normal visa process;
• The alien is the parent or legal guardian of an alien described in paragraph (1) and the alien described in paragraph (1) is a minor;
• The alien is needed in the United States to donate an organ or other tissue for transplant; and there is insufficient time for the alien to be admitted to the United States through the normal visa process;
• The alien has a close family member in the United States whose death is imminent; and the alien could not arrive in the United States in time to see such family member alive if the alien were to be admitted to the United States through the normal visa process;
• The alien is seeking to attend the funeral of a close family member; and the alien could not arrive in the United States in time to attend such funeral if the alien were to be admitted to the United States through the normal visa process;
• The alien is an adopted child who has an urgent medical condition; who is in the legal custody of the petitioner for a final adoption-related visa; and whose medical treatment is required before the expected award of a final adoption-related visa;
• The alien is a lawful applicant for adjustment of status under section 245 of the INA ((8 U.S.C. 1255)); and is returning to the United States after temporary travel abroad;
• The alien has been returned to a contiguous country pursuant to section 235(b)(2)(C) of the INA ((8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(2)(C))); and is being paroled into the United States to allow the alien to attend the alien’s immigration hearing;
• The alien has been granted the status of Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422; 8 U.S.C. 1522 note));
• The Secretary of Homeland Security determines that a significant public benefit has resulted or will result from the parole of an alien who has assisted or will assist the United States Government in a law enforcement matter; whose presence is required by the United States Government in furtherance of such law enforcement matter; and who is inadmissible or does not satisfy the eligibility requirements for admission as a nonimmigrant or for which there is insufficient time for the alien to be admitted to the United States through the normal visa process.

The HR-1 parole fee will not be assessed if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in its discretion, determines that an individual qualifies under one of the ten enumerated statutory exceptions. For most family-based and employment-based applicants who did not require parole to enter the United States, this new fee will likely not impact their primary immigration process.

This safeguard is particularly relevant for advance parole travelers returning from temporary trips abroad. Specifically, applicants for adjustment of status (Form I-485) are exempt from the $1,000 parole fee if they can demonstrate that they:

• Are lawful applicants for adjustment of status under INA §245 (8 U.S.C. §1255); and
• Are returning to the United States following temporary travel abroad.

To qualify for this exemption, travelers seeking reentry to the U.S. using advance parole must present documentation at inspection to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showing:

• Proof of a pending Form I-485 (such as the I-485 receipt notice), and
• A valid Form I-512L Advance Parole Document authorizing travel and reentry.

Our firm is closely monitoring DHS’s rollout and interpretation of this new fee, particularly as it relates to advance parole holders. If you have received an Immigration Parole Fee Notice or are planning travel under an advance parole document, please contact our office for individualized guidance.

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