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H.R. 1, "The Big Beautiful Bill," having recently passed the House of Representatives and now moving to the Senate, represents a significant and highly contentious legislative package. While it encompasses various sectors, its proposed immigration reforms are a central and intensely debated component. This article delves into these proposed changes, examining their potential impact on individuals and the broader system, and highlighting the widespread controversies they have ignited. Immigration Fees: A Barrier to Entry and Justice? A core element of H.R. 1 is the establishment of numerous new fees and the adjustment of existing ones for a wide range of immigration applications and processes, including asylum applications, employment authorizations, parole, special immigrant juvenile status, temporary protected status, visas, and court and appeals. The bill often sets these fees as a minimum for Fiscal Year 2025, with provisions for increases in subsequent years and no allowa...

The Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation dating back to 1798, might seem like a dusty relic of a bygone era. However, it's a law that continues to cast a long shadow over immigration policy in the United States, particularly in times of perceived national crisis. This article delves into the Act's history, its application in past and present court cases, and the stark contrast between its historical use and its contemporary role in deportations.   What is the Alien Enemies Act? The Alien Enemies Act, passed during the presidency of John Adams, grants the president the power to apprehend, restrain, secure, and remove any alien subject to a foreign government with which the United States is at war or during a declared invasion or predatory incursion. Crucially, the President must issue a public proclamation of such an event before the act can be invoked.   This proclamation then authorizes the President to regulate the conduct of alien enemies within the U.S. and deter...