On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1 into law, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In addition to implementing a broad range of policy reforms, this bill contains several immigration specific and border-related provisions, including both spending and non-spending measures.
Spending Measures:
H.R. 1 allocates $170.7 billion for immigration and border enforcement through a process that limits congressional oversight. Major provisions include $51.6 billion for border wall construction and facility upgrades, $45 billion for expanded detention capacity, potentially increasing ICE detention to over 125,000 beds. Additionally, nearly $30 billion was allocated to ICE enforcement and deportation operations, including the hiring of 10,000 new officers. The bill also provides billions for state and local law enforcement cooperation, including reimbursements to states like Texas for programs such as Operation Lone Star, which utilize state funds to independently lead migrant apprehension efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border. Notably, funding is available through September 30, 2029, and agencies have wide discretion in how and when to use those funds.
Non-Spending Measures:
The bill imposes sweeping changes to legal immigration by introducing high, mandatory fees for asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and other humanitarian benefits, with most fee waivers being eliminated. For the first time, asylum seekers face a $100 application fee plus a recurring $100 annual fee while their case is pending. The bill also caps the number of immigration judges at 800, even as enforcement efforts expand. This severely restricts progress on court backlogs and increases wait times for migrants awaiting their hearings. Additional provisions limit protections for children in detention centers, allow for longer detention in lower-standard facilities, and establish new barriers to legal relief.
While new information continues to come to light, we urge you to stay informed and seek trusted legal advice to understand how these changes may affect your rights and options moving forward.
If you have any questions regarding the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and how it may affect your immigration matter, please contact Steven Bedoya at sbedoya@bhlfirm.com or contact our office at (201) 880-9374 to schedule a consultation.