Big Beautiful Bill Cost: What the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act Means for Your Business and Foreign Talent

As a business immigration lawyer, I’ve seen how even small policy shifts can create big waves for the companies and talented individuals I represent. On July 4, 2025, a sweeping new law, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), was enacted, and it’s already raising questions and concerns. Many of my clients are asking: What does this mean for our ability to hire and retain foreign talent? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed by both the House and Senate, with differences between the house version and senate version debated before the final bill reached the president's desk.

During my time as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State, I adjudicated thousands of visas. I saw firsthand how policy changes in Washington directly impact people’s lives and business operations. This new law is no different. The federal government will be responsible for implementing the law's provisions and funding the expanded enforcement measures. While its name might make it sound like a good thing for America, its effects are a complex mix of higher costs and systemic pressures that every employer and foreign national should understand.

Let’s break down what the H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text actually does and how it will indirectly, yet significantly, affect employment-based immigration. The White House and Senate Republicans played key roles in shaping the final senate bill and senate legislation, particularly regarding enforcement priorities and funding allocations.

The Big Picture: What Hasn't Changed is as Important as What Has

The OBBBA does not introduce new employment-based visa categories, change the annual caps for H-1B visas, or alter the eligibility rules for employment-based green cards (or the still-hypothetical Trump Gold Card). The core architecture of business immigration—the visa types you know, like H-1B, L-1, O-1, and the employment-based green card categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)—remains intact.

So, what does the bill do to our immigration system? It focuses on two main areas:

1. A massive increase in federal funding for immigration enforcement.
2. A significant hike in fees for a wide range of immigration applications and processes.

The bill also permanently extends certain enforcement funding, but critics argue that some provisions are political gimmicks that do not address core immigration challenges.

While these changes don’t target business immigration directly, their ripple effects will be felt across the entire legal immigration system.

Key Takeaway: The One Big Beautiful Bill is not an overhaul of employment visa rules. Instead, it’s an enforcement-and-fee-focused law that will make navigating the existing system more expensive and potentially slower.

The Direct Hit: Soaring Fees and the New Cost of Immigration

The most immediate impact for employers and employees will be financial. The bill introduces several new fees and dramatically increases others, raising the overall cost of hiring and retaining foreign talent. These bill increases will require businesses and individuals to reassess their monthly payments and overall financial planning. Experts agree these hikes will be felt most by individual applicants and by small and medium-sized businesses that have less room in their budgets to absorb these new expenses.

Here’s a look at some of the key fee changes that could affect your bottom line:

For instance, individuals managing car loans or seeking tax deductions for auto loan interest may find that the new law's fee hikes and deduction changes further complicate their financial situation.

The new fee on I-94 records, as introduced by the recent legislative changes, is set at $24. This fee applies to applications for Form I-94, which is the Arrival/Departure Record used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to track the arrivals and departures of nonimmigrants. Under the current law, there is a $6 fee for nonimmigrants entering the country by land, and the new provision raises the total fee to $30 starting this year.

The collection of this fee will be managed by CBP, as they are responsible for issuing Form I-94. The fee is likely to be collected at the point of entry or through the application process for obtaining or replacing Form I-94. The fee is expected to be implemented as part of the operational processes at ports of entry and through online systems where applicable.

On the humanitarian immigration side, the new fees include a $100 fee for asylum applications, a $100 annual fee for pending asylum applications, a $550 fee for initial Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for asylum applicants, a $275 fee for renewal or extension of EADs for asylum applicants, and a $1,000 fee for parole applications. These fees are not waivable in most cases and are subject to increase by regulation and annually for inflation

Tax Implications: Navigating the New Fiscal Landscape

The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a turning point in U.S. tax policy, with sweeping changes that will affect businesses, families, and foreign talent alike. Signed into law by President Trump, this legislation—often referred to as the “big beautiful bill”—brings a host of new tax cuts, credits, and deductions, while also introducing new rules and accountability measures that every taxpayer should understand.

One of the headline features of the law is the permanent extension of the child tax credit, offering continued relief for families and simplifying planning for the years ahead. In addition, the law introduces Trump Accounts, a new savings vehicle designed to help parents set aside funds for their children’s future needs. For both individuals and married couples, the standard deduction has been increased, providing broader tax relief and streamlining the filing process.

On the business side, the law aims to make the U.S. more competitive by offering new tax breaks and incentives for companies with international business income. These provisions are intended to encourage growth and investment, particularly for firms operating across borders. The law also includes targeted tax credits for certain assets, such as electric vehicles, and introduces new regulations for foreign entities doing business in the U.S.

However, not all changes are cuts or credits. The law phases out several clean energy tax credits, which could impact both the environment and future energy costs. It also places new limits on the deductibility of state and local taxes, a move that may affect taxpayers in high-tax states and alter the calculus for businesses considering where to locate or expand.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) sees an expansion in eligibility, but with new work requirements for recipients. Meanwhile, the law enacts significant spending cuts to programs like Medicaid, raising concerns about the future of rural hospitals and the well-being of federal employees who rely on these benefits.

From a fiscal perspective, the Congressional Budget Office projects that the law will increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion and add $2.8 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. To address concerns about improper payments and fraud, the law introduces new accountability rules and verification processes, aiming to ensure the security of taxpayer information and the integrity of government spending.

For businesses with global operations, the new tax code offers both opportunities and challenges. Enhanced tax credits for international activities may boost profits, but increased scrutiny and compliance requirements—especially for those employing foreign talent or dealing with employment authorization and temporary protected status—mean that careful planning is more important than ever.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has sparked debate across the political spectrum. Supporters argue that the law will drive economic growth, create jobs, and simplify the tax code, while critics contend that it disproportionately benefits corporations and high earners, potentially widening income inequality and straining public services.

As the law takes effect, it’s crucial for taxpayers, businesses, and federal employees to stay informed about the evolving landscape. Understanding the new tax credits, deductions, and compliance requirements will be key to maximizing benefits and avoiding pitfalls. Whether you’re a business owner, an employee, or a family planning for the future, now is the time to review your financial strategies and ensure you’re prepared for the changes ahead.

The Indirect Impact: A System Under Strain

Have you ever been stuck in traffic because of construction miles ahead? That’s a good way to think about the second major impact of this bill. The OBBBA allocates over $170 billion through 2029 to immigration enforcement, massively expanding the budgets of agencies like ICE and CBP. This significant increase in enforcement spending may come at the expense of other federal priorities, such as controlling Medicaid costs, as resources are shifted away from programs that help manage healthcare spending.

ICE is now the largest federal law enforcement agency, with $45 billion earmarked for new detention facilities and expanded operations. So, what does this have to do with your company’s H-1B petitions?

When government resources and attention are heavily diverted to one area (enforcement), other areas (like benefits adjudication) can feel the strain. My concern, shared by many immigration experts, is that this intense focus on enforcement could lead to:

• Slower Processing Times: With agency priorities and personnel potentially shifting toward enforcement-related tasks, the adjudication of routine employment-based petitions and applications could slow down. We are already dealing with significant backlogs at USCIS, and redirecting hundreds of USCIS employees to work on ICE projects could make it worse.
• Increased Scrutiny: An enforcement-first mindset can permeate the entire immigration system, leading to more scrutiny on all types of immigration processes, even those that are straightforward and involve immigrants who have always held legal status.
• A Less Competitive America: The combination of higher costs and longer waits could make the U.S. a less attractive destination for global talent. For the innovative industries I serve, like tech and healthcare, losing our competitive edge in attracting the best and brightest is a serious risk.

While the bill does allocate funds to hire more immigration judges to address court backlogs, the overwhelming emphasis remains on enforcement. This will inevitably reshape the landscape for everyone navigating the immigration system.

What You Should Do Now: Key Takeaways and Actionable Steps

Navigating this new environment requires being proactive and strategic. Together with your legal counsel, anticipate challenges and plan accordingly. Be sure to review how changes to gross income calculations, itemized deductions, and the pass through deduction may affect your tax liability under the new law.

Key Takeaways from the One Big Beautiful Bill: It’s About Money and Enforcement: The law’s primary impact on business immigration is indirect, stemming from higher fees and a massive shift in resources toward enforcement. Costs Are Up Across the Board: Budget for significantly higher government filing fees for nearly every step of the immigration process. Expect Delays: Plan for potentially longer processing times as the system adjusts to new priorities. The Rules of the Game are the Same: The fundamental requirements for H-1B, L-1, green cards, and other employment-based visas have not changed.

Here are three things you can do right now to prepare:

1. Budget Accordingly. Review your company’s immigration budget for the upcoming year. Factor in the new fee structure to avoid surprises. If you sponsor multiple employees, these costs could add up quickly. Businesses should also consider the impact of temporary provisions in the law, which may affect future costs if extended beyond their current expiration.
2. Plan Ahead. If you are considering sponsoring an employee for a visa or green card, start the process as early as possible. Building extra time into your timeline can provide a crucial buffer against potential processing delays and costs that will continue to rise. Individuals planning for higher education expenses or managing foreign entity compliance should consult with a tax advisor to maximize available tax deductions and credits.
3. Seek Expert Guidance. An experienced immigration attorney can help you navigate the new cost structures, anticipate delays, and ensure your petitions are filed correctly to minimize the risk of RFEs (Requests for Evidence) or denials in a climate of increased scrutiny. Those receiving social security, overtime pay, or affected by the debt limit should review their financial strategies in light of the new law's changes.

At Locke Immigration Law, we are closely monitoring the implementation of this new law and advising our clients on creative strategies to achieve their business goals. If you are concerned about how these changes will affect your company or your professional journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can build a clear path forward. The law builds on previous reforms such as the Jobs Act and includes new rules for foreign entities, which may affect international business operations.

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