Breaking News: DHS Hikes Humanitarian Parole Fees to $1,000—What This Means for Immigrants

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HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Department of Homeland Security has introduced a $1,000 fee for immigrants granted humanitarian parole in the United States. This change took effect following an announcement from the department.

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According to Homeland Security, the fee applies to all individuals who receive humanitarian parole starting from October 16. The initiative is intended to deter fraud and enhance accountability within the system.

“With this fee, President Trump and Secretary Noem are ensuring that those looking to stay in the U.S. have a vested interest and are not misusing the process. This charge is a strategic measure to reinforce our immigration system and uphold law and order,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Assistant Secretary.

Migrants legally paroled and allowed to be in the United States wait for assistance at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, on June 24, 2021. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

The fee will be imposed on all non-citizens who apply for, renew, or are released on parole by the agency, as part of this new regulation.

The fee will not be collected upon application but only when it is granted.

“The fee will not be due when an application is merely submitted or when a travel document is issued, but rather, DHS will collect the $1,000 fee after it determines that the alien merits a grant of parole as a matter of discretion and the alien either appears for inspection at a port of entry or is already physically present in the United States,” according to a notice in the Federal Register.

There are some exceptions to the fee including:

Medical emergencies whereby the non-citizen cannot obtain necessary treatment in a foreign nation and the situation is life-threatening.
Parents or legal guardians of someone afflicted with a medical emergency who needs immediate entry into the United States.
The non-citizen is donating an organ or other tissue for transplant and needs to be admitted into the United States.
The non-citizen has a family member in the United States whose death is imminent.
The non-citizen is attending the funeral of a close family member.
The non-citizen is an adopted child with an urgent medical condition.
The non-citizen has applied for parole and is returning after temporary travel.
To attend an immigration hearing.

The agency says it might increase the fee annually, depending on the consumer Price Index. Price adjustments will be posted in the Federal Register.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.