On May 29, 2026, four immigration rule changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1, the 2025 reconciliation law) take effect simultaneously. If you have a pending asylum case, a TPS work permit, or anticipate needing a corrected Form I-94, you need to act before this deadline. Missing any of these changes can result in an automatically closed case, loss of work authorization, or deportation proceedings.
Four changes taking effect May 29, 2026 — what each one means and what action is required.
Change 1: Annual Asylum Fee — $102/Year
Starting May 29, every person with a pending asylum application must pay a $102 annual fee to keep their case active. This applies to both affirmative asylum applicants (cases before the USCIS Asylum Office) and defensive asylum applicants (cases before an immigration judge). The $102 figure is the inflation-adjusted amount for fiscal year 2026 — early announcements referenced $100, but the final indexed amount is $102.
Payment is made through Pay.gov. If you do not pay within 30 days of receiving notification, USCIS will automatically reject your application without the possibility of reopening it. A removal proceeding can follow. Fee waivers are available via Form I-912 for those who cannot afford the payment. Note: unaccompanied minors and certain Convention Against Torture claimants may have partial exemptions, but consult an attorney before assuming you qualify.
Change 2: TPS Employment Authorization Documents Cut to 12 Months
Before May 29, TPS holders received Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) valid for two years at a time. Beginning May 29, all new TPS EADs will have a maximum validity of 12 months. This means TPS beneficiaries must renew their work authorization twice as often.
The cost of each EAD renewal is $520 (plus $85 biometrics in most cases). For the roughly 1.3 million TPS holders in the United States — including large Venezuelan, Haitian, Salvadoran, and Honduran communities — this represents both a significant added cost and a greater risk of lapsing work authorization if a renewal is delayed. USCIS has not yet published updated instructions for the first renewals under the new 12-month rule; those are expected imminently. TPS holders with EADs expiring in the next six months should begin renewal paperwork now.
Change 3: $24 Fee for I-94 Corrections (Form I-102)
Form I-94 is the electronic arrival/departure record that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates when you enter the United States. Until May 29, correcting or replacing an incorrect I-94 was free. Starting May 29, CBP will charge a $24 fee when you file Form I-102 to request a correction or replacement.
You need to correct your I-94 if it shows an incorrect admission class, wrong expiration date, or wrong name; if the record never appeared in the CBP system after your entry; or if you need a physical I-94 for a work or immigration filing. Checking your I-94 record at cbp.dhs.gov remains free — the $24 fee only applies when you file the I-102 to request a formal correction. An uncorrected I-94 can block dependent immigration filings, adjustment of status applications, and employer verification.
Change 4: Strict Penalties for Non-Payment
The law establishes explicit consequences for failing to pay the new fees. For the asylum annual fee: non-payment results in administrative closure of the case (with no path to reopen it), initiation of removal proceedings, and automatic revocation of any EAD that was based on the pending asylum application. For the I-94 fee: the requested correction is blocked, which can in turn stall any dependent filings that rely on a valid I-94.
What You Should Do Before May 29
- If you have a pending asylum case: Contact your attorney or legal representative immediately. Confirm whether you are subject to the fee, when your first payment cycle begins, and whether you qualify for a fee waiver (Form I-912). The USCIS payment portal should be available before May 29.
- If you hold TPS: Check the expiration date on your current EAD. If it expires within the next six months, begin renewal paperwork now to avoid a lapse in work authorization during the transition to the 12-month cycle.
- If you may need an I-94 correction after May 29: Bring the exact fee amount and a valid payment method to any port of entry where you may need to file an I-102.
Frequently Asked Questions
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