immigration fees going up after April 30th

[athena_ny 1]

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/04/20...5_304_19_04.txt

USCIS says the fee increase will decrease the backlog of applications (don't believe it) but there are other opinions in the article...like helping to fund DHS. Who knows, but I thought it was a good heads-up.

[Savanphil 3]

Dang, these people get more than enuff of our money

Edited January 30, 2007 by Savanphil

[Nanusia & Lukaszek 0]

Dang, these people get more than enuff of our money

Exactly! Charging more does not mean that they'll hire more people to process applications quicker.

[irishgirl73 1]

what a bunch of bull-sh*t!!!!!!

[Samra 0]

I guess I will be in the minority and say I have no problem with fees going up.

[doefamily 0]

That article is dated April 2004. The "increased" fees listed in the article are actually lower than what they are now.

[Savanphil 3]

That article is dated April 2004. The "increased" fees listed in the article are actually lower than what they are now.

[athena_ny 1]

My mistake. They still are going up again, according to the Sun-Sentinel's immigration column http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/immigration/

IMMIGRATION

Fee for applying for citizenship soon to increase

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that another fee increase is coming for many immigration applications, including for naturalization (U.S. citizenship) applications. The new fees will likely be in place by April. The coming fee increase is a good reason to apply for citizenship now.

I googled to find more and didn't look at the date! Oops!

That article is dated April 2004. The "increased" fees listed in the article are actually lower than what they are now.

[athena_ny 1]

Immigration Fee Increase. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will raise fees in 2007 for immigration benefits such as green cards, work permits, and naturalization, according to USCIS Director Emilio González. While the agency has not officially determined the fee increase, current proposals would nearly double the current costs. Currently, USCIS charges $180 for an employment authorization application and $325 for adjustment of status to permanent resident. According to USCIS, the higher fees are needed to cover increased administrative costs for processing applications. Immigrant advocates have said that raising the fee for naturalization from its current $330 will present a barrier to citizenship for many working-class immigrant families. González, himself a naturalized citizen, defended the proposed increases, stating that "American citizenship is priceless."

For a list of USCIS immigration forms and fees, visit the USCIS website.

THis is from... http://www.migrationinformation.org/Featur...play.cfm?id=547

I'd go back and edit the original but I can't Sorry about the bad link! My husband saw it on the news this morning as well... just is a heads up, I'm not upset about it because we'll have filed by then. But they're talking about doubling them so that's a significant increase

My mistake. They still are going up again, according to the Sun-Sentinel's immigration column http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/custom/immigration/

IMMIGRATION

Fee for applying for citizenship soon to increase

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that another fee increase is coming for many immigration applications, including for naturalization (U.S. citizenship) applications. The new fees will likely be in place by April. The coming fee increase is a good reason to apply for citizenship now.

I googled to find more and didn't look at the date! Oops!

That article is dated April 2004. The "increased" fees listed in the article are actually lower than what they are now.

[mercy 1]

Immigration Fee Increase. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will raise fees in 2007 for immigration benefits such as green cards, work permits, and naturalization, according to USCIS Director Emilio González. While the agency has not officially determined the fee increase, current proposals would nearly double the current costs. Currently, USCIS charges $180 for an employment authorization application and $325 for adjustment of status to permanent resident. According to USCIS, the higher fees are needed to cover increased administrative costs for processing applications. Immigrant advocates have said that raising the fee for naturalization from its current $330 will present a barrier to citizenship for many working-class immigrant families. González, himself a naturalized citizen, defended the proposed increases, stating that "American citizenship is priceless."

For a list of USCIS immigration forms and fees, visit the USCIS website.

THis is from... http://www.migrationinformation.org/Featur...play.cfm?id=547

We would not have been able to afford to pay the fees if they'd been doubled. That is crazy. Glad we filed before any changes are made.

[athena_ny 1]

We would find a way to pay them, but doubling them just makes me go

Immigration Fee Increase. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will raise fees in 2007 for immigration benefits such as green cards, work permits, and naturalization, according to USCIS Director Emilio González. While the agency has not officially determined the fee increase, current proposals would nearly double the current costs. Currently, USCIS charges $180 for an employment authorization application and $325 for adjustment of status to permanent resident. According to USCIS, the higher fees are needed to cover increased administrative costs for processing applications. Immigrant advocates have said that raising the fee for naturalization from its current $330 will present a barrier to citizenship for many working-class immigrant families. González, himself a naturalized citizen, defended the proposed increases, stating that "American citizenship is priceless."

For a list of USCIS immigration forms and fees, visit the USCIS website.

THis is from... http://www.migrationinformation.org/Featur...play.cfm?id=547

We would not have been able to afford to pay the fees if they'd been doubled. That is crazy. Glad we filed before any changes are made.

[brtlmj 0]

Think about it. Most people seem to apply for AOS, AP and EAD simultaneously. Why? Because it takes so long to get a green card. Processing APs and EADs takes quite a bit of manpower in USCIS and delays AOS approvals even more.

Now imagine paying more for AOS... almost as much as we pay for AOS+AP+EAD now, but with a guarantee that most applications would be processed within a month. Wouldn't you like it? Less hassle, less money overall and - a very important issue for some - the citizenship clock starts ticking a few month earlier.

That would be GREAT. But USCIS is an absolute monopoly and bureaucracy, so I would not expect any significant improvements due to the fee increase...

Bartek

Edited January 30, 2007 by brtlmj

[athena_ny 1]

I'd love it, but I highly doubt that scenario will come to fruition. Like I said, I'm not really complaining about the fees because we're filing for AOS very soon (next week, hopefully), but it is unfortunate for future filers because I doubt it will speed anything up.

Think about it. Most people seem to apply for AOS, AP and EAD simultaneously. Why? Because it takes so long to get a green card. Processing APs and EADs takes quite a bit of manpower in USCIS and delays AOS approvals even more.

Now imagine paying more for AOS... almost as much as we pay for AOS+AP+EAD now, but with a guarantee that most applications would be processed within a month. Wouldn't you like it? Less hassle, less money overall and - a very important issue for some - the citizenship clock starts ticking a few month earlier.

That would be GREAT. But USCIS is an absolute monopoly and bureaucracy, so I would not expect any significant improvements due to the fee increase...

Bartek

[Milka 0]

Crazy. I applied for all and the did not even look at EAD or AP. This money was for nothing. But well, at least I got my Greencard.

[brtlmj 0]

Crazy. I applied for all and the did not even look at EAD or AP. This money was for nothing.

No, it was not for nothing. By applying for AP and EAD you - in effect - bought insurance. Some get a GC in three-four months and some wait for years...

Bartek