Asylum Seekers Alarmed Over Trump’s $100 Fee
Asylum seekers in New York are expressing concern and confusion over a new $100 fee imposed by the Trump administration. Some have been informed through attorneys that failure to pay the fee by Tuesday could result in the cancellation of their applications and risk of deportation.
Musa, an asylum seeker from Mali living in Manhattan, said, “I’m not sure if I can gather the money in time, but if it’s true and I don’t pay, there will be trouble.”
The July budget package, “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” introduced a one-time $100 fee for new applicants and an annual $100 fee for all pending applications from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. However, details on when and how to pay the fee remain unclear, fueling confusion and anxiety among asylum seekers.
Attorney Deborah Lee noted that the lack of clarity has caused confusion among lawyers and thousands of applicants. Some online portals currently allow only payment for new applications, leaving pending cases uncertain. Meanwhile, some asylum seekers have reported scams where individuals charge additional fees by exploiting the confusion.
As the deadline approaches, many asylum seekers are trying to navigate the system cautiously, unsure of what is genuine and what might be misleading information.
