What’s New?
Pay-to-Stay Immigration
On Friday, the administration imposed a new fee for high-skill work visas and created a $1 million “gold card” visa with a pathway to citizenship. This pay-to-stay approach to immigration is not new.
As part of the budget reconciliation package, the administration pushed Congress to impose new fees or increase existing fees for individuals seeking safety and protection in the United States.
- Asylum applications for people fleeing persecution now cost $100, with an additional $100 annual fee for each year the application remains pending. Previously, applying for asylum was free
- Individuals granted Temporary Protected Status due to unsafe conditions in their home countries must now pay $500 to apply, up from $50.
- Work permit applications, which were previously free, have a new $550 minimal fee.
- Children and youth who are abused, abandoned, or neglected must now pay a $250 fee to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
LSSNCA is hearing from clients and community partners about the challenges the new fees are imposing to seek protection under U.S. law. If you're interested in supporting neighbors impacted by increased immigration fees, contact us at development@lssnca.org.
Read more in "Trump's Pay-to-Play Protection for Unaccompanied Children” by Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense.
What Else?
Presidential Determination for Fiscal Year 2026
Before the federal fiscal year ends at midnight on Sept. 30, the administration is required to issue its presidential determination on refugee admissions for the next year. According to Reuters, officials have discussed mainly prioritizing white South Africans or Europeans, who express certain anti-mass migration views or support populist political parties.
Litigation Updates
Over Labor Day weekend, the administration attempted to unlawfully deport nearly 70 Guatemalan unaccompanied children – most of whom belong to persecuted Mayan Indigenous communities – who are seeking protection in the United States.
On Sept. 18, a judge again blocked the deportation, writing that the administration’s justification "crumbled like a house of cards." The ruling prevents the deportation of all Guatemalan children without removal orders or voluntary departure while the case proceeds.
Earlier this month, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the lower court’s order to reinstate refugee resettlement, leaving thousands of refugees who had been approved to come to the United States stranded. However, the court allowed resettlement agencies to continue providing vital services to the very few arriving in the country, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients. A full opinion from the court is expected soon.
How You Can Help
Donate: Your support enables LSSNCA to continue its critical work, including providing employment and other social services to recently arrived Afghan allies, immigration legal assistance, and direct support for unaccompanied children.
Become a Foster Parent: Foster parents for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) provide loving and responsible homes for youth who have arrived in the United States without parents or legal guardians. Learn more about how you can make a lasting impact.
Stay Connected: Sign up for LSSNCA’s monthly newsletter to get the latest updates straight to your inbox.
