Key Takeaways
• The House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on May 22, 2025, by a 215-214 vote.
• The bill introduces new fees for Diversity Visa applicants, part of immigration-related fees.
• It funds extensive border security measures, including 701 miles of wall and hiring thousands of agents.
The House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) on May 22, 2025, by a razor-thin margin of 215-214. This sweeping legislation, which now heads to the Senate, brings major changes to U.S. immigration policy—including new fees for Diversity Visa (DV) applicants. The bill’s provisions have sparked heated debate among lawmakers, immigrants, and advocacy groups, as its impact could reshape the immigration landscape for years to come.
What Is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that covers a wide range of issues, but immigration is at its core. The bill’s name comes from President Trump, who has championed the legislation and called it “the big beautiful bill.” The Act includes funding for border security, changes to public benefits for immigrants, and a new fee structure for many immigration processes.
Key facts about the bill:
– Passed the House of Representatives on May 22, 2025, by a 215-214 vote.
– Moves next to the Senate, where significant changes are expected.
– Aims to fund border security, including President Trump’s border wall.
– Introduces new fees for various immigration applications, including the Diversity Visa.
Diversity Visa Applicants Face New Fees
One of the most talked-about parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the introduction of a new fee for Diversity Visa applicants. The Diversity Visa, often called the “green card lottery,” is a program that gives people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States 🇺🇸 a chance to apply for permanent residency.
What is the Diversity Visa?
– The Diversity Visa program offers up to 55,000 green cards each year.
– Applicants are chosen randomly from eligible countries.
– Winners can apply for a green card, allowing them to live and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
What does the bill change?
– Section 70015 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces a new fee for Diversity Visa applicants.
– The exact amount of the fee is not specified in the available information.
– The fee is part of a larger set of immigration-related fees included in the bill.
This new fee is just one of many changes that could affect people hoping to move to the United States 🇺🇸 through the Diversity Visa program. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the fee provision is part of a broader effort to raise funds for immigration enforcement and border security.
Other Immigration Fees in the Bill
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act doesn’t stop with the Diversity Visa. It includes a long list of new or increased fees for many types of immigration applications and processes. These fees are outlined in the Judiciary Committee’s section on “Immigration Matters,” specifically in “Part 1—Immigration Fees” (Sections 70001-70023).
Some of the key fees include:
– Asylum applications (Section 70002): People seeking protection in the United States 🇺🇸 may have to pay a new fee to apply for asylum.
– Employment authorization documents (Section 70003): Immigrants who want to work legally may face higher costs for work permits.
– Parole (Section 70004): Those seeking temporary permission to enter or stay in the country could see new fees.
– Special immigrant juvenile status (Section 70005): Children who need protection may have to pay to apply for this status.
– Temporary protected status (Section 70006): People from countries facing disasters or conflict may face new costs.
– Unaccompanied alien child sponsorship (Section 70007): Sponsors of children who arrive alone at the border may have to pay a fee.
– Visa integrity (Section 70008): This fee is meant to support efforts to prevent visa fraud.
– Form I-94 (Section 70009): Travelers may face new fees for this arrival/departure record. You can find the official Form I-94 here.
These changes could make the immigration process more expensive for many people. For some, the new fees might be a barrier to applying for legal status or protection.
Border Security and Enforcement Provisions
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is not just about fees. It also includes major funding and policy changes for border security and immigration enforcement.
Key border security measures in the bill:
– Funding for President Trump’s border wall: The bill sets aside money for 701 miles of primary wall, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, and 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers.
– Boosting Border Patrol and ICE resources: The bill funds at least one million annual removals (deportations) and calls for hiring 10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents.
– Expanding grounds for removal: The bill adds new reasons why someone can be denied entry or deported, especially for crimes like domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and sex offenses.
These measures are designed to strengthen border security and speed up the removal of people who are in the country without permission.
Changes to Public Benefits for Immigrants
Another major part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is its impact on public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP (food assistance).
What’s changing?
– About 1.4 million undocumented immigrants could lose Medicaid benefits. The bill frames this as a way to eliminate “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
– SNAP work requirements: The bill reduces the number of people who can be exempt from work requirements, making it harder for some to qualify for food assistance.
– Medicaid work requirements: The final House version of the bill includes stricter work requirements for Medicaid, which was a key issue in securing enough votes to pass the bill.
Who is affected?
– Tens of thousands of people in Western Pennsylvania alone could lose health insurance and SNAP benefits if the bill becomes law.
– Immigrant families, especially those with mixed status (some members with legal status, others without), could be hit hardest.
Political Debate and Stakeholder Reactions
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has sparked intense debate in Congress and beyond. President Trump has been a vocal supporter, urging Republicans to back the bill. During meetings with House Republicans, he said, “This is what I want on Medicaid, we’re not touching anything, all I want is one thing, three words: we don’t want any waste, fraud, or abuse, very simple. Waste, fraud, abuse. Other than that, we’re leaving it. Medicare, we’re leaving it.”
Divisions within the Republican Party:
– Some Republicans are worried about cutting Medicaid benefits, seeing it as a political risk.
– Others think the cuts don’t go far enough or want work requirements to start sooner.
– The final House version included faster Medicaid work requirements to win over enough votes.
Democratic response:
– Most Democrats oppose the bill, arguing that it will hurt vulnerable families and make it harder for immigrants to build a life in the United States 🇺🇸.
– They also point to the new fees as a barrier for people seeking legal status.
Advocacy groups:
– Immigration advocates warn that the new fees and stricter rules could discourage people from applying for legal status or protection.
– Health and social service groups say the changes to Medicaid and SNAP will leave many families without basic support.
What Happens Next?
With the bill now in the Senate, the legislative process is far from over. The Senate is expected to make significant changes to the bill, especially since the House and Senate have different ideas about how to handle the budget and immigration policy.
Next steps:
– The Senate will review and likely amend the bill.
– Lawmakers hope to approve a final version before July 4, 2025.
– Any differences between the House and Senate versions will need to be resolved in a conference committee.
– The final bill will then go to the President for signature.
What should Diversity Visa applicants do?
– Stay informed: Watch for updates on the bill’s progress in the Senate.
– Prepare for possible new fees: If you are planning to apply for the Diversity Visa, be ready for potential new costs.
– Check official sources: For the most current information on the Diversity Visa program, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa Program page.
Broader Implications for Immigrants and Stakeholders
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act could have far-reaching effects on immigrants, their families, and the organizations that support them.
For immigrants:
– Higher costs: New and increased fees could make it harder for low-income applicants to afford the immigration process.
– Stricter enforcement: More funding for removals and border security could lead to more deportations and increased fear in immigrant communities.
– Loss of benefits: Changes to Medicaid and SNAP could leave many without health care or food assistance.
For employers:
– Workforce impact: Stricter immigration enforcement and higher fees for work permits could make it harder to hire and retain immigrant workers.
– Compliance challenges: Employers may need to adjust their hiring practices to comply with new rules.
For advocacy groups:
– Increased demand for services: Organizations that help immigrants may see more people needing legal and social support.
– Policy advocacy: Many groups are likely to step up efforts to influence the final version of the bill.
For the government:
– Revenue from fees: The new fees are expected to raise money for border security and immigration enforcement.
– Administrative challenges: Implementing new fees and rules will require changes to government systems and processes.
Historical Context: The Diversity Visa Program
The Diversity Visa program was created in 1990 to encourage immigration from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States 🇺🇸. Each year, people from around the world apply for a chance to win a green card through a random lottery.
Why is the program important?
– It helps keep the United States 🇺🇸 diverse by welcoming people from many different backgrounds.
– It gives people from countries with fewer immigrants a fair chance to come to the United States 🇺🇸.
– Many winners go on to become successful members of American society.
How does the new fee fit in?
– The new fee could make it harder for some people to apply, especially those from poorer countries.
– Supporters of the fee say it will help pay for the costs of processing applications and enforcing immigration laws.
– Critics argue that it could reduce the number of people who can afford to apply, making the program less accessible.
Practical Guidance for Diversity Visa Applicants
If you are thinking about applying for the Diversity Visa, here are some steps you can take:
- Check eligibility: Make sure you are from a country that qualifies for the Diversity Visa program.
- Watch for updates: The rules and fees may change if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act becomes law.
- Budget for fees: Be prepared for possible new costs when applying.
- Use official sources: Only trust information from the U.S. Department of State or other official government websites.
- Seek help if needed: If you have questions, consider reaching out to a trusted immigration lawyer or a reputable nonprofit organization.
Conclusion: What to Expect Moving Forward
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is one of the most significant immigration bills in recent years. Its passage in the House of Representatives marks a major step, but the final outcome is still uncertain as the Senate prepares to debate and amend the bill. For Diversity Visa applicants and other immigrants, the proposed new fees and stricter rules could make the process more difficult and expensive.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the coming weeks will be critical for anyone affected by these changes. Lawmakers, advocates, and immigrants themselves will be watching closely as the Senate takes up the bill and works toward a final version. For now, the best advice is to stay informed, use official resources, and be ready to adapt to new requirements if the bill becomes law.
For more information about the Diversity Visa program and updates on immigration policy, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official Diversity Visa Program page.
Learn Today
One Big Beautiful Bill Act → A comprehensive 2025 U.S. immigration bill passed by the House introducing new fees and border security funding.
Diversity Visa → A lottery program granting up to 55,000 green cards annually to applicants from low-immigration countries.
Asylum → Protection granted to individuals fleeing persecution, requiring application and possibly new fees under the bill.
Employment Authorization Document → A permit allowing immigrants to legally work in the U.S., now subject to increased fees.
Form I-94 → Arrival/departure record for visitors, possibly incurring new fees under the bill’s provisions.
This Article in a Nutshell
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed narrowly, altering U.S. immigration laws with new Diversity Visa fees and border security funding, reshaping immigrant benefits and enforcement policies significantly.
— By VisaVerge.com
