What H.R. 1: “One big Beautiful Bill” Means for Immigrant Communities: Massive Enforcement, Fines & Fees
1. Increased Interior Immigration Enforcement
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) mandates a massive expansion of interior immigration enforcement, leading to a projected surge in detentions and deportations within the United States.
H.R. 1 allocates significant funds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for hiring thousands of additional officers, vastly expanding immigration detention facilities, and boosting transportation and removal operations with an explicit goal of deporting up to one million individuals annually, alongside expanding “expedited removal” authority.
This means ICE’s presence and operations inside the country will intensify, leading to more arrests, increased detentions, and faster deportations that may limit due process for many, thus increasing the number of individuals identified, detained, and ultimately removed.
H.R. 1’s focus on interior enforcement represents a substantial shift towards a more aggressive and pervasive system of immigration control within U.S. communities, aiming for a dramatic increase in detentions and deportations. For individuals potentially affected, it is crucial to know your basic rights if approached by immigration officers, such as the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney, and to seek legal counsel immediately if you or a loved one is approached or detained, avoiding signing anything without legal advice. Additionally, preparing an emergency plan for your family, including important documents, contact information for an attorney, and arrangements for children, is highly advisable in case of detention or deportation.
2. Immigration-Related Fees
H.R. 1 introduces a wide array of new and increased fees for various immigration applications and processes beyond asylum, making it significantly more expensive to pursue legal status or protection.
The bill establishes or raises fees for numerous immigration forms and processes, critically prohibiting fee waivers, including for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, employment authorization document (EAD) renewals, motions in immigration court, and introduces a 5% tax on money sent abroad by non-citizens.
These non-waivable fees will create major financial hurdles, potentially making various immigration benefits and processes unattainable for many, imposing recurring financial strain through frequent EAD renewals, and directly impacting the disposable income of non-citizens supporting families overseas.
The extensive introduction and increase of immigration-related fees without waivers by H.R. 1 will create substantial financial barriers, potentially making various immigration benefits and processes unattainable for individuals who cannot afford the escalating costs. To prepare for this, individuals planning to file an application should consult with an immigration attorney to understand the most current fee schedule and consider if filing sooner could help avoid higher costs, while also beginning to save for anticipated fees and renewals to understand the full financial implications of their immigration process under the new rules. It is also wise to explore all options with a legal expert to identify any alternative immigration pathways or strategies that might have different fee structures or offer relief from these increased costs.
3. Restrictions on Access to Federal Public Benefits
H.R. 1 severely restricts access to several key federal public benefit programs for various categories of non-citizens, directly impacting their access to essential social safety nets.
The legislation imposes new limitations on who can receive federal benefits, including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by prohibiting federal financial participation for individuals without verified status, narrowing eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to primarily U.S. citizens and LPRs, and excluding children from the Child Tax Credit if their parent lacks a Social Security number.
These new limits mean that many lawfully present immigrants who previously qualified could lose access to critical healthcare and food assistance, creating significant hardship for affected individuals and their U.S. citizen family members, and potentially reducing financial support for families with mixed immigration statuses.
H.R. 1’s provisions regarding public benefits will reduce access to essential healthcare and food aid for specific non-citizen groups, potentially increasing poverty and health disparities within immigrant communities and their families. To navigate these changes, individuals should verify their eligibility regularly with local social service agencies or legal aid organizations, as state and local benefits may differ from federal programs. It is crucial to consult with a trusted immigration attorney or qualified legal services provider regarding their immigration status and benefit eligibility, remaining cautious about “public charge” implications. Finally, researching and connecting with local non-profits, food banks, and community health clinics that may offer assistance regardless of immigration status is highly recommended.
4. ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Codified and Expanded
“Remain in Mexico” Policy Codified: H.R. 1 provides $500 million to reinstate the policy of returning asylum-seekers to Mexico while their claims are pending. Section 70113 funds the “return of aliens arriving from contiguous territory”, explicitly for carrying out INA §235(b)(2)(C) – the statutory basis of the Migrant Protection Protocols. This means migrants who enter from Mexico or Canada and request asylum can be sent back across the border to wait for their U.S. hearings, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. during proceedings. By codifying and heavily financing this practice, the bill ensures a broad use of Remain-in- Mexico, exposing asylum-seekers (many of them undocumented entrants) to extended stays in often dangerous border camps and making it harder for them to access U.S. counsel or attend hearings. This will likely deter asylum claims and increase the hardship on those fleeing persecution.
5. Elimination of ACA Premium Subsidies for Many Lawfully Present Immigrants
H.R. 1 sharply limits access to affordable health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by excluding many categories of lawfully present immigrants from eligibility for premium subsidies. Section 112102 of the bill redefines the term “eligible alien” for ACA premium tax credits, excluding groups such as asylum seekers (including those with pending applications), parolees, individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), DACA recipients, and those granted withholding of removal. Under current law, many of these groups can purchase marketplace health coverage and receive subsidies to make that coverage affordable. H.R. 1 eliminates that access, barring tens of thousands of low-income immigrants from obtaining affordable insurance. Section 112103 further repeals the special ACA rule that allowed certain lawfully present immigrants to qualify for subsidies even if barred from Medicaid due to their status, deepening coverage gaps and increasing the risk of uninsured rates among immigrant populations.
6. Punitive Fines for Missing Immigration Court Hearings
H.R. 1 introduces harsh financial penalties for immigrants who miss their scheduled immigration court hearings, even in cases where failure to appear may result from confusion, lack of legal representation, or other reasonable factors. Section 70021 imposes a $5,000 civil fine on any immigrant who is ordered removed “in absentia” and later apprehended by immigration authorities. This penalty is automatic and cannot be waived, regardless of an individual’s circumstances or ability to pay. Given the complexities of immigration proceedings and the well-documented barriers many immigrants face in receiving proper notice or securing legal counsel, this provision significantly increases the financial and legal risks for undocumented individuals navigating removal proceedings.
7. $5,000 Fine for Unauthorized Border Crossings
H.R. 1 imposes a new, immediate financial penalty on individuals apprehended while crossing the U.S. border without authorization. Section 70022 establishes a mandatory minimum $5,000 “Inadmissible Alien Apprehension Fee” for any migrant caught entering the United States between designated ports of entry. This fee is levied at the time of apprehension, with no waivers available, and applies regardless of the migrant’s intent to seek asylum or other protection. The provision effectively turns unauthorized entry into a costly financial burden, further punishing individuals—many of whom are fleeing violence or persecution—before they have the opportunity to present legal claims for relief. It may also deter future lawful immigration efforts by saddling migrants with substantial debt that could jeopardize future visa eligibility.
8) 5% Tax on Remittances to Certain Countries
H.R. 1 imposes a new financial penalty on individuals sending money transfers, or remittances, to specific foreign countries. Section 70031 establishes a mandatory 5% tax on remittances sent to nations that fail to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement or are designated as state sponsors of terrorism. This tax applies regardless of the sender’s immigration status and is collected at the point of transaction by money transfer services. By reducing the amount of money reaching families abroad, this provision places additional financial strain on immigrant communities and may drive remittance activity toward unregulated channels, increasing risks for both senders and recipients.
Prepared By: Defne Geyikci
All rights of the photograph/image used belongs to: Getty Images