According to the ICE memo, the agency is encouraging officers to keep migrants in custody until their cases are fully resolved. This could impact individuals who have lived in the U.S. for years, built families, and maintained steady employment—even if they entered without documentation.
The policy doesn’t mandate detention for everyone. In some cases, release is still possible at the officer’s discretion.
The directive is already being implemented in several immigration courts across the country.
Immigration attorneys and human rights advocates are preparing legal challenges to oppose this new rule.
If you’re currently going through immigration proceedings, it’s important to:
Know your legal rights
Never sign any documents without legal advice
Seek guidance from a licensed immigration attorney if needed
Despite these new restrictions, many immigrants still have valid legal grounds to stay in the U.S., especially if they have strong ties to the community.
On July 15, 2025, a major legal victory came for refugee applicants who were blocked under Donald Trump’s travel ban. A federal judge in Washington State, Jamal Whitehead, established new legal criteria to allow previously approved Lautenberg refugees to enter the U.S.
The case of a refugee named Pacito set a precedent. His family had received full approval, passed all background checks, and even purchased tickets for January 22—but just two days before their flight, they were told not to come. The judge ruled that such individuals deserve special consideration due to the trust they placed in government assurances.
Identify all refugees who had received approval before January 20 and had confirmed travel plans.
Provide them with a questionnaire to assess their “reliance interest”—that is, the extent to which they changed their lives based on U.S. promises.
Immediately admit and begin resettling those whose reliance is confirmed.
160 previously approved refugees
Unaccompanied minors
Afghan nationals moved to third countries at the U.S.’s request
Now, the burden is on the government to prove that these individuals did not have valid reasons to trust the system.
Forms like I‑589 (Asylum), EADs (work permits), and annual maintenance fees now have updated costs. Always refer to the official USCIS fee chart (Form G‑1055) or individual form pages.
Payment Methods:
Online via pay.gov with a U.S. bank account or card
By mail using a personal check or bank draft
If you’re applying for asylum through the immigration court (defensive asylum), send the following to the special USCIS processing center for EOIR cases:
Copy of I‑589 form
Check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Form G‑28 (if you have an attorney)
USCIS cover letter
After payment, USCIS will send a receipt notice confirming your fee has been accepted. Without this, your case won’t be processed.
As of July 12, 2025, EOIR accepts payments via its EOIR Payment Portal.
Examples of EOIR Fees:
$900 — Motion to reopen or reconsider a case
$110 — Appeal to the BIA
$100 — Annual asylum case maintenance fee
During this transition, courts may temporarily accept filings without payment but will require the fees to be submitted later.
USCIS began rolling out new fees in mid-July.
EOIR started accepting portal payments July 12, though full functionality is still developing.
Until systems are stable, lawyers continue to use pay.gov or checks by mail, and courts are granting short-term flexibility.
A new report from ProPublica reveals that the IRS is developing a system to automatically transfer sensitive taxpayer data to ICE in support of mass deportations. This could give ICE instant access to the home addresses of millions of migrants, dramatically increasing the pace of Trump-era enforcement efforts.
The project has sparked alarm inside the IRS. In June, Acting Chief Counsel Andrew De Mello refused to release data on 7.3 million individuals, citing legal concerns. Two days later, he was forced out. Critics argue that ICE hasn’t provided the necessary legal justification—such as ongoing criminal investigations—for requesting this data.
Many IRS staff have already abandoned the project, fearing legal consequences under federal privacy laws.
Experts warn of dangerous consequences:
Innocent individuals with similar names could be wrongly targeted.
The system could expand to include employers and family members.
ICE is already requesting permissions beyond current agreements—such as access to data on U.S. citizens if they’re “linked to criminal activity.”
The IRS had long reassured migrants that tax collection had no ties to immigration enforcement. This trust is now being undermined. As attorney Nandan Joshi from Public Citizen put it, “The IRS has betrayed the trust of millions.”
Trump administration officials insist everything is legal, citing court rulings affirming a prior IRS-ICE cooperation memo. However, the technical scope of this new system hasn’t been reviewed by any court—yet.
The system is being developed in IRS offices in Maryland and Dallas and could be operational as soon as late July. If implemented, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that the IRS actively assists in immigration crackdowns.
Senator Ron Wyden has warned that this move turns the IRS from a tax agency into a surveillance tool—setting a dangerous precedent for all Americans.
Behar International Counsel, APC provides a full-range of immigration legal assistance to our clients. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
