This bill establishes a mandatory, non-refundable fee of at least $100 for credible fear interviews required for individuals seeking asylum.
Rick Scott
Senator
FL
The Protecting Asylum Integrity Act establishes a mandatory fee, starting at a minimum of $100, for credible fear interviews conducted during the asylum process. This fee must be paid prior to the interview and will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in fiscal year 2027. Collected funds will be split, with half supporting USCIS operations and the other half going to the Treasury's general fund.
Protecting Asylum Integrity Act Mandates $100 Fee for Initial Credible Fear Interviews Starting Now
The Protecting Asylum Integrity Act introduces a significant financial gatekeeper to the U.S. asylum process. Specifically, Section 2 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to charge a minimum fee of $100 for every 'credible fear' interview—the high-stakes initial screening where individuals must prove they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. This isn't a bill that allows for 'pay later' options; the law explicitly states the fee must be paid in full before the interview can even take place. For a family of four fleeing a crisis, this immediately translates to a $400 entry cost just to have their case heard by an officer.
The Cost of Seeking Safety
This isn't just a one-time flat fee. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the $100 base price will be tied to the Consumer Price Index, meaning it will automatically climb alongside inflation just like your grocery bill or rent. While $100 might seem like a small administrative fee to a professional working a 9-to-5 in the States, for someone who has spent their life savings to escape violence and arrived at the border with nothing but the clothes on their back, it represents a massive barrier. By requiring payment upfront, the bill creates a scenario where the legal right to seek asylum is contingent on having immediate liquid cash, potentially filtering out the most destitute and vulnerable applicants before they ever speak to a judge.
Where the Money Goes
The bill splits the revenue from these fees down the middle. Fifty percent is funneled into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account, giving U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) a direct stream of cash to fund its operations and processing without needing to wait for Congress to pass a budget. The other 50% goes straight into the U.S. Treasury’s general fund, essentially acting as a revenue generator for the federal government. While this might help USCIS chip away at its massive backlog by hiring more staff, the trade-off is a system that treats a human rights screening more like a fee-for-service transaction, placing the operational costs of the border directly on the shoulders of those seeking its protection.