Foreign-flagged vessels calling at U.S. ports now face a significant new operational challenge: the Department of Homeland Security has implemented a $1,000 immigration parole fee, effective 16 October 2025, for any non-exempt alien who is paroled into the United States. This includes vessel crew members requiring medical treatment under certain circumstances. In this episode, ShorelineHudson’s Global Policy Advisor Andrew Baskin sits down with our Head of Claims Deborah Stabile to unpack what the new fee means in practice, why parole is now being denied in some cases, and what shipowners must do to protect their crews, avoid unnecessary delays, and stay compliant when trading to the United States.