USCIS Fee Changes and Asylum Updates: What You Need to Know as of July 31, 2025

📌 New USCIS Filing Fees Effective July 31, 2025

As of July 31, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented updated filing fees for applications related to Re-Parole (Form I-131) and Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-765). According to the official USCIS Fee Schedule (Page 1):

• New fees apply to applications postmarked on or after July 22, 2025.

• Starting August 21, 2025, any applications submitted with incorrect or outdated fees will be rejected.

• ⚠️ Filing now using old fee amounts may already result in denial.

💼 Updated Filing Fees Overview

📄 Re-Parole (Form I-131):

• Without EAD:

  • Paper: $630

  • Online: $580

• With EAD (combo filing):

  • Paper: $1,150

  • Online: $1,050

  • + Mandatory Additional Fee: $275 (paid separately, non-refundable)

🧾 EAD (Form I-765) Filed Separately:

• Paper: $520 + $275 mandatory fee

• Online: $470 + $275 mandatory fee

Eligible categories:

• (a)(12) — Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

• (c)(8) — Asylum applicants

• (c)(11) — Parolees

• (c)(19) — TPS applicants

⚠️ Important Notes About Fees

• Even if you qualify for a fee waiver, the additional $275 fee is always required.

• Re-Parole (I-131) is considered a new parole period, so it may be eligible for a fee waiver.

• Form I-765 is generally fee-waivable, except for category (c)(33) — DACA.

• In some combo filings, applicants do not receive a separate receipt for the EAD portion — only for the I-131.

❗️Misinformation Alert: Don’t Be Misled by False Claims on Asylum Access

Some Telegram channels have been spreading false information suggesting that, as of August 2, 2025, the U.S. southern border is open for new asylum seekers. This is not true.

🔍 What Really Happened: Court Decision on Trump’s Asylum Ban

On August 2, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a partial block of former President Trump’s January 2025 executive order, which had significantly restricted access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Here’s what the ruling clarified:

• The executive order allowed automatic deportation of individuals who crossed the border illegally, without the chance to apply for asylum.

• The court ruled that the administration cannot override federal laws protecting individuals from removal to countries where they face persecution or torture.

As a result, even though the asylum ban remains partially in place, the government must still consider:

• Withholding of Removal

• Protection under the UN Convention Against Torture

These forms of relief are mandatory if the applicant can prove a high risk to life or freedom if returned to their country.

👥 Who Is Still Affected?

The court limited eligibility for protection:

• Relief now applies only to individuals who were already physically present in the U.S. at the time the order was in effect.

• New arrivals at the border are still subject to the asylum ban, since asylum remains a discretionary benefit under U.S. immigration law.

⚖️ What’s Next?

The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU and other advocacy organizations, called the policy “draconian” and life-threatening. The government argues that it helped reduce illegal crossings — citing only 4,600 apprehensions in July, the lowest monthly number since the 1960s.

The full hearing on the case is scheduled for Fall 2025, with both sides expected to submit arguments by September 26, 2025.

✅ Final Thoughts

If you’re applying for re-parole or EAD, make sure to:

• Use the correct new fees

• Understand which parts of the application are fee-waivable

• Be wary of misinformation, especially on social media

And if you’re seeking asylum or protection, consult with a licensed immigration attorney — policies are rapidly changing, and your eligibility may depend on the smallest details.