Hey everyone — immigration attorney here, and I wanted to flag something that could seriously affect people with pending asylum cases.
DHS just announced that starting **May 29**, if you haven't paid the Annual Asylum Fee and miss the 30-day window after getting notified, USCIS will flat-out reject your I-589. No legal status? They can start removal too. Oh, and you'd lose your work permit.
The fee is $100/year (thanks, HR-1), no waivers, and it has to be paid online. USCIS is supposed to notify you when it's due — but honestly, don't just sit back and wait for that letter.
If you've got a pending case or know someone who does, please read up on this. You've also got until June 29 to submit public comments on the rule if you want to push back.
Link with the full breakdown: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-announces-consequences-for-unpaid-annual-asylum-fees-unveils-new-hr-1-requirements