Steep New Immigration Court Fees Take Effect Under 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

EOIR's new fee regime took effect June 11, 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The most visible change is a dramatic increase in court filing fees, from $130 to $1,670 for many filings, as well as a new annual asylum fee of $102 for cases that have been pending for more than a year. Many courts have begun charging or attempting to charge these fees, and advocacy groups report that fee waivers are being denied in some jurisdictions. The changes are designed to fund court operations and address backlog, but they raise significant barriers for individuals facing removal proceedings or seeking asylum. The policy also introduces or enhances a number of other fee increases tied to EOIR's regulatory updates. Practitioners should review any notices they receive from EOIR or USCIS, confirm whether the fees apply to their clients, and plan accordingly for potential payment obligations. For asylum seekers and others in the system, early budget planning and outreach to counsel can help reduce the risk of disruptions to case progress. The court system remains under intense scrutiny, and litigation challenging these fees continues in several venues.