On top of all the new immigration rules the Donald Trump administration recently announced, there is a new $5,000 ‘apprehension fee’ on migrants without legal status, US Border Patrol chief Micheal banks announced. This charge will apply to people apprehended after crossing the border between posts of entry. The fee is part of a provision of One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed by Congress earlier this year. “This message applies to all illegal aliens—regardless of where they entered, how long they’ve been in the U.S., their current location, or any ongoing immigration proceedings,” Banks wrote in a post on X.

What does the Act say about apprehension fee?

The Act set the initial amount at a minimum of $5,000 for fiscal year 2025 and gave the DHS secretary the authority to adjust the fee over time. The bill implements new fees for certain humanitarian protections, including a minimum $100 non-waivable fee for asylum applications, plus an additional $100 for each year the application remains pending. It also implements a minimum $250 fee for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a form of humanitarian relief for children who have been abused or neglected by one or both parents.

‘Holiday deal of a lifetime’

The DHS this week launched a ‘holiday deal of a lifetime’ offering illegal immigrants free flight home for the holidays and a $1000 gift if they self-deport. “The CBP Home App offers those in this country illegally a fantastic gift this holiday season: a free flight home, a $1,000 gift, and the potential opportunity to return to America the right, legal way,” said assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Your choice is simple: Choose self-deportation and reap the rewards, or stay here and continue breaking our laws, which will lead to you being arrested and deported. Make the right choice for you and your family this Christmas and join the 2 million illegal aliens who have already left the country: Download the CBP Home App today.”