Fee for sponsor of unaccompanied alien child who fails to appear in immigration court

(a) Fee imposed In addition to any other fee authorized by law, for the sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall impose a fee in an amount specified in subsection (b) prior to the unaccompanied alien child’s release to such sponsor. (b) Fee specified (1) Initial amount The amount specified in this subsection for fiscal year 2025 shall be such amount as the Secretary may by rule provide, but in any event not less than $5,000. (2) Subsequent adjustment Beginning in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount specified in this subsection for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of— (A) the amount imposed under this subsection for the prior fiscal year; and (B) rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10, the amount referred to in subparagraph (A), multiplied by the percentage (if any) by which the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the month of July preceding the date on which such adjustment takes effect exceeds the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the same month of the preceding calendar year. (c) Fee reimbursement At the conclusion of an unaccompanied alien child’s immigration court proceedings as an unaccompanied alien child, or upon the ending of such sponsor’s sponsorship of such unaccompanied alien child, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may reimburse to a sponsor a fee imposed under this section if such sponsor demonstrates that the unaccompanied alien child in the care of such sponsor was not ordered removed in absentia under section 240(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In the case of a sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child who was ordered removed in absentia and such order was rescinded under section 240(b)(5)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the sponsor may seek reimbursement of the fee under this section. (d) Crediting of funds The fees received under this section shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury. (e) No waiver A fee imposed under this subsection shall not be waived or reduced.

(a) Fee imposed In addition to any other fee authorized by law, for the sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall impose a fee in an amount specified in subsection (b) prior to the unaccompanied alien child’s release to such sponsor. (b) Fee specified (1) Initial amount The amount specified in this subsection for fiscal year 2025 shall be such amount as the Secretary may by rule provide, but in any event not less than $5,000. (2) Subsequent adjustment Beginning in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount specified in this subsection for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of— (A) the amount imposed under this subsection for the prior fiscal year; and (B) rounded to the next lowest multiple of $10, the amount referred to in subparagraph (A), multiplied by the percentage (if any) by which the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the month of July preceding the date on which such adjustment takes effect exceeds the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the same month of the preceding calendar year. (c) Fee reimbursement At the conclusion of an unaccompanied alien child’s immigration court proceedings as an unaccompanied alien child, or upon the ending of such sponsor’s sponsorship of such unaccompanied alien child, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may reimburse to a sponsor a fee imposed under this section if such sponsor demonstrates that the unaccompanied alien child in the care of such sponsor was not ordered removed in absentia under section 240(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In the case of a sponsor of an unaccompanied alien child who was ordered removed in absentia and such order was rescinded under section 240(b)(5)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the sponsor may seek reimbursement of the fee under this section. (d) Crediting of funds The fees received under this section shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury. (e) No waiver A fee imposed under this subsection shall not be waived or reduced.