How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Impacts Immigration and U Visa Applicants

In July 2025, Congress passed what is now being called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a massive federal funding package allocating over $165 billion to immigration enforcement. While the bill includes other initiatives, this article focuses specifically on its impact on immigration policy and U visa applicants.

With this bill, the U.S. government has made its largest-ever investment in border and interior immigration enforcement. But what does that mean for immigrants, especially those applying for protections like the U visa?

In this article, we break down the facts: what the bill includes regarding immigration, what it could mean for immigrants, and what steps U visa applicants can take to stay safe and informed.

What Is the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

The “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July 2025, allocates approximately $165–$170 billion to immigration-related programs—primarily for enforcement. This includes:

Funding for an estimate of 10,000 new ICE agents
Potential hiring of 8,500 new CBP officers
Expansion of detention bed space to 100,000–125,000 beds
New filing and application fees for certain immigration benefits

This sweeping expansion signals a sharp increase in immigration enforcement capacity across the U.S., from more officers on the ground to more detention facilities available to hold individuals.

What It Means for U Visa Applicants

U visas are designed to protect victims of certain crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement. But the program has long suffered from severe backlogs and limited annual caps, leaving tens of thousands of applicants in legal limbo for years.

Here’s how the “Big Beautiful Bill” could affect individuals waiting on U visas:

Backlogs Will Remain—And May Even Worsen

The U visa program is capped at 10,000 principal visas per year, and the backlog has reached well over 300,000 pending cases. Once a U visa applicant receives a bona fide determination or is placed on the waitlist, they receive deferred action and may qualify for a work permit (EAD)—but the final visa approval can take up to 15 years.

This bill does NOT expand the number of available U visas, so while enforcement is growing, relief programs like the U visa remain unchanged in capacity.

More Agents = Higher Risk of Enforcement Actions

The bill adds more than 18,500 immigration enforcement personnel, between ICE and CBP. This might translate into more:

Immigration raids
Detentions and arrests in communities
Checkpoints and field operations

U Visa applicants who have not yet received a Bona Fide Determination (BFD) or been placed on the waitlist may not yet have access to certain protections. A BFD grants deferred action, which can temporarily protect a person from deportation and make them eligible for a work permit.

New Filing Fees Could Increase the Financial Burden

The bill introduces or increases several immigration-related fees, including:

A $100 filing fee for asylum applications
Increased fees for visa renewals and adjustments

While U visa applicants have traditionally benefited from fee waivers, it’s still unclear how these changes will impact programs like the U visa. Applicants should prepare for potential higher costs when it comes to renewals, EAD applications, or future adjustments of status.

Best Practices for U Visa Applicants Right Now

Increased enforcement doesn’t mean applicants are powerless. There are proactive steps U visa petitioners can take to safeguard their status and well-being.

Prioritize Your BFD and EAD

If your U visa application is still pending, your best path to protection is securing a Bona Fide Determination. A BFD means USCIS has completed initial background checks and found that your application is properly filed and eligible for processing. Once granted:

You receive deferred action (temporary protection from deportation)
You become eligible for a work permit (EAD)

Some applicants have chosen to file mandamus lawsuits to compel USCIS to issue a BFD decision when the process is excessively delayed.

Always Carry Documentation

If you’ve received your BFD or EAD, carry copies of them at all times. In the event of an ICE or CBP interaction, having documentation on hand can make a difference in how an encounter plays out.

Should Immigrants Be Worried?

The “Big Beautiful Bill” significantly expands the government’s ability to enforce immigration laws—but it does not change the eligibility rules for relief programs like the U visa. If you’re in the process of applying, the key is documentation, awareness, and preparation.

There’s no need for panic—but there is a real need for strategic planning.

While the government is spending billions on enforcement, it’s not fixing the backlog for U visa cases—something more funding could help solve. At Pro Se Pro, we believe in using the legal tools guaranteed by the Constitution to hold the government accountable.

Thanks to community action and legal pressure, BFD wait times have dropped from 60 months to 35. Everyone deserves fair treatment under the law, and we’re here to make sure that happens.

How Pro Se Pro Can Help

At Pro Se Pro, we specialize in helping immigrants navigate complex application processes—on their own terms, and without needing to hire a lawyer.

If you’re facing unreasonable delays or you’re unsure whether you're protected, don’t wait. We’re here to help you protect your status, your family, and your future.

The “Big Beautiful Bill” marks a turning point in U.S. immigration enforcement—but with the right knowledge and preparation, immigrants can still move forward with strength. U visa applicants should stay informed, gather documentation, and seek early protections like BFD and EAD.

Call our team today and get your U Visa case moving forward (802) 318-4668

To learn more and get the tools you need to stay safe, visit our article on How to Protect Yourself as a U Visa Applicant.