New US Fees to Hit African Asylum Seekers as Trump Tightens Immigration Rules
African asylum seekers in the United States face a fresh financial and legal squeeze as the Trump administration imposes steep new fees and tightens work authorisation rules in a bid to deter migrants.
For the first time, applicants for asylum must pay a non-refundable $100 filing fee, ending decades of free access to the process.
From late 2025, they will also be charged $100 annually for every year their claim remains pending — a significant burden for those caught in lengthy backlogs that can stretch for years.
The government has also sharply raised fees for work permits, a vital lifeline for asylum seekers who rely on legal employment while their cases are decided.
The cost to apply for an initial work permit has jumped to $550. Renewals will now cost $745 online or $795 by mail, replacing what was once a free service.
The measures come alongside a new $250 “visa integrity” levy on certain non-immigrant visas, further raising the cost of legal migration and potentially pushing more people to seek asylum after arrival.
Many African migrants enter the US on temporary visas or through border crossings, then apply for asylum before their permitted stay — often six months — runs out.
Current rules allow them to request a work permit 150 days after filing their asylum claim and receive it after 180 days, which also enables them to obtain a Social Security number and work legally.
Immigration lawyers warn the administration is considering extending the wait for work permits to a year or more, or withholding them until a claim is resolved.
Critics say such changes would leave people without lawful income for extended periods, increasing the risk of destitution and forcing some into exploitative work.
The tougher fee regime comes as deportations accelerate, with Washington striking agreements to send migrants to third countries. Rwanda recently agreed to take 250 migrants from the US, following similar deals with other nations.
Supporters say the fees will deter abuse of the asylum system and reduce costs for taxpayers.
Opponents counter that the policy punishes people fleeing persecution and undermines their ability to support themselves.
Advocates and legal aid groups are preparing court challenges, arguing that charging for asylum applications and delaying access to work authorisation violates the principles of protection.
Lawyers are urging those considering asylum to file promptly, meet the one-year application deadline, and seek professional help to navigate the higher costs.
gandae@businessdayafrica.org