News

Immigration, Fear, and Belonging in the Shadow of ICE: A Campus Conversation on Deportation

On October 7, 2025, UM-Dearborn hosted “Mass Deportation, Our Communities, and Our Campus,” exploring how deportation and shifting immigration policies affect students and communities.

Dr. Camron Amin highlighted the university’s long history of welcoming international students while noting current fears over sanctions, travel bans, and deportations.

Shahad Atiya, immigration attorney and professor of Crimmigration, shared how high fees, harsh ICE encounters, and fear-driven self-deportations impact her clients.

Dr. Amy Brainer discussed the extreme vulnerability of LGBTQ+ immigrants, especially transgender individuals, to detention and abuse.

Kimberly Batchelor-Davis and Eugenia Charles-Newton highlighted how race and Native heritage increase immigration scrutiny and mistreatment.

Dr. Michael MacDonald emphasized the classroom as a space of inclusion and skill-building for all students.

Panelists called for protecting student speech, providing intersectional support, and grounding advocacy in community expertise.

Important Update for Asylum Applicants: New Annual Fee Requirement

Starting October 1, 2024, individuals who file for asylum (Form I-589) must pay an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) of $100 for each year their case remains pending with USCIS beyond one year. This applies to applications filed on or after October 1, 2024.

What You Need to Know:

Eligibility:
Anyone who files Form I-589 after October 1, 2024, and whose case remains pending for 365 days or more must pay the AAF starting on the one-year anniversary of their filing date, and every year thereafter if the case is still pending.

USCIS Notifications:
Applicants do not need to track when their fee is due. USCIS will send a personal notice including:
- The fee amount
- Payment deadline
- Payment methods
- Consequences of not paying
Fee Amount & Refund Policy:
The fee is $100 per year pending. USCIS automatically calculates the fee due. Note that USCIS does not refund fees under any circumstances.

How to Pay:

If you have questions about the Annual Asylum Fee or need help understanding what it means for your case, we’re here to support you.

Privacy and Security:

USCIS collects payment information under federal regulations (8 CFR 103.7) to authorize electronic credit card or ACH payments via Pay.gov.
Providing this information is voluntary, but failure to pay may delay or prevent your immigration benefit.
USCIS may share information with authorized federal, state, and local agencies as required by law or national security.

For more details on privacy and data use, visit the USCIS privacy notices linked on their site.