Immigration Update – November 24, 2025

Headlines:

USCIS, CBP, ICE Announce New ‘Inflationary Adjustments’ for Certain Fees – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced increases in fees for certain benefits for Fiscal Year 2026.

USCIS Now Accepting Only Electronic Payments for Benefit Requests, With Exceptions – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting payments only through Pay.gov for benefit requests filed electronically, with some exceptions.

USCIS Adjusts EB-5 Fees Under Court Order – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced adjustments in certain EB-5-related fees under a district court order.

TSA Launches Alternative ID Verification Program and Fee – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is launching a “modernized alternative identity verification program” at TSA checkpoints for those without the required acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID or passport.

E-Verify Updates Policy Under Supreme Court Order Allowing Termination of 2023 Venezuela TPS Designation – E-Verify released an update related to work authorization, pursuant to a Supreme Court order allowing immediate termination of the 2023 Venezuela Temporary Protected Status designation.

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USCIS, CBP, ICE Announce New ‘Inflationary Adjustments’ for Certain Fees

On November 21, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced increases in fees for certain benefits as mandated by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

• USCIS’s notice lists the adjusted fees, effective January 1, 2026. USCIS warned that “[a]ny immigration benefit request postmarked on or after that date without the proper filing fee will be rejected.” As an example, the fee for an initial asylum or initial parole applicant filing Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document, is increasing from $550 to $560. The notice explains USCIS’s methodology in calculating the fee increases.
• CBP’s notice states that fees are increasing for enrollment in the Electronic Visa Update System (from $30 to $30.75) and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (from $40 to $40.27), and for those paroled into the United States (from $1,000 to $1,020).
• CBP said that in accordance with H.R. 1, the existing fee for Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record applications will not change for FY 2026. Accordingly, the total fee to apply for a CBP Form I-94 at a land border port of entry for FY 2026 will continue to be $30, consisting of the $6 land border fee and the $24 H.R. 1 fee. (CBP does not assess a fee for those arriving at air or sea ports of entry because they are not required to submit an application for a CBP Form I-94.)
• ICE’s notice states that the adjusted fee amount for individuals removed in absentia and inadmissible individuals arrested between ports of entry is increasing from $5,000 to $5,130.

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USCIS Now Accepting Only Electronic Payments for Benefit Requests, With Exceptions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a reminder that as of October 28, 2025, it is accepting payments only through Pay.gov for benefit requests filed electronically, with some exceptions. For benefit requests mailed to USCIS, it will only accept ACH debit transactions using Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, or credit, debit, or prepaid card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.

Those qualify for an exemption from the requirement to use an electronic payment method should mail the benefit request, with the correct fee payment and a completed and signed Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment, to the appropriate lockbox. Practitioners recommend placing the form on top of the packet (including the cover letter) so USCIS sees the form first.

USCIS said that those requesting an exemption must certify that electronic payment and collection methods are not possible and they meet one or more of the following requirements:

• They do not have access to banking services or electronic payment systems;
• Electronic disbursement would cause them undue hardship, as discussed in 31 C.F.R. Part 208;
• Non-electronic transactions are necessary or desirable for national security or law enforcement reasons; or
• There are other circumstances as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, as reflected in regulations or other guidance.

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USCIS Adjusts EB-5 Fees Under Court Order

On November 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced adjustments to certain EB-5-related fees under a district court order in Moody v. Noem, issued November 12. The order stayed certain fees codified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the 2024 Fee Rule, which became effective April 1, 2024. USCIS noted that the court determined that the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 precluded DHS from adjusting EB-5 program fees in the 2024 Fee Rule. DHS and USCIS said they “believe the Court’s decision is incorrect but are working to implement it.”

Effective immediately, USCIS will accept the fees that were in effect until March 31, 2024, which are listed in the “Current Fee” schedule in USCIS’s announcement. USCIS said that in general, petitioners and applicants “should pay fees according to the ‘Current Fee’ schedule, not the higher ‘Previous Fee’ schedule.” However, for items postmarked November 26, 2025, or earlier, USCIS will also accept payment of the Previous Fee. For items postmarked after that date, USCIS will reject petitions or applications that are accompanied by the Previous Fee.

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TSA Launches Alternative ID Verification Program and Fee

On November 20, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it is launching a “modernized alternative identity verification program” at TSA checkpoints for those without the required acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID or passport.

For participants in the optional program, TSA will check the traveler’s “biographic and/or biometric identification to verify identity and match the individual to their Secure Flight watch list result” and will charge a nonrefundable $18 fee. TSA said that collection of the fee “will begin when TSA announces that individuals may register for the modernized alternative identity verification program on the TSA website TSA.gov.” TSA noted that those who use the alternative identity verification program may still be subject to additional screening or experience delays.

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E-Verify Updates Policy Under Supreme Court Order Allowing Termination of 2023 Venezuela TPS Designation

E-Verify released an update on November 14, 2025, related to work authorization, pursuant to a Supreme Court order allowing immediate termination of the 2023 Venezuela Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation.

E-Verify said that for Forms I-766, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), the termination means that:

• For beneficiaries of the 2021 designation for Venezuela TPS who do not have an EAD or Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with an October 2, 2026, expiration date, their TPS and employment authorization terminated on November 7, 2025. EADs with a category A12 or C19 and an expiration date of September 10, 2025; March 10, 2024; or September 9, 2022, issued under the 2021 TPS designation of Venezuela were automatically extended until November 7, 2025. Employers must have reverified TPS Venezuela beneficiaries who presented these EADs before they started work on November 8, 2025.
• With a timely filed EAD renewal application, EADs with a category A12 or C19 and an expiration date of September 10, 2025, or April 2, 2025, for TPS beneficiaries who reregistered under the January 17, 2025 extension notice may still be automatically extended for up to 540 days. Employees must present their Form I-797, Notice of Action, indicating that their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EAD renewal) was received before February 6, 2025.

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