Bill · H.R. 1220· House(119-HR-1220)
FIRM Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Ann Wagner
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Fee Increases for Reckless Mismanagement Act of 2025," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. It directs the Secretary of State to increase visa application fees for certain nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(B). These increases apply to nationals of specific countries meeting certain criteria. The criteria include countries that deny or delay accepting citizens/residents, those designated as state sponsors of international terrorism, or those listed as a tier 3 country in trafficking reports. The fee increases can be at least 50 percent, 100 percent, or 150 percent depending on how many criteria are met.
Yes
No question was scored yes.
The opposite
Would immigrants be better off under this?-7
The bill creates a substantial financial burden for certain immigrant groups by increasing visa fees by 50 to 150 percent.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-5
The bill imposes significantly higher visa application fees which disproportionately affect lower-income visa applicants.
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-3
The bill increases the financial barriers for nonimmigrants seeking visas, which can complicate the immigration process.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial adjustments based on country behavior: The bill increases fees for aliens applying for specific nonimmigrant visas based on how their home country interacts with the United States regarding the acceptance of its citizens or residents (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1; Section 2, subsection b).
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Response to international terrorism designations: The fee increase applies to nationals of countries that the Secretary of State has designated as a state sponsor of international terrorism (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 2).
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Response to human trafficking concerns: The fee increase applies to nationals of countries listed as a tier 3 country in the most recent Trafficking in Persons report (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased costs for visa applicants: Individuals filing an application abroad for a visa described in section 101(a)(15)(B) may face significantly higher costs, with increases of at least 50 percent, 100 percent, or 150 percent depending on the country's status (Section 2, subsection b).
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Financial burden based on country status: Nationals of countries that have denied or unreasonably delayed accepting individuals, are sponsors of terrorism, or are tier 3 trafficking countries will be subject to these higher fees (Section 2, subsection a).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-7Good For Low Income Households-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship-3
- 11/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas