Do I get my money back?

[Josie! 3]

As I sit here completing my final package for my husbands N-400.. I have to wonder.. if the government gives illegal immigrants amnesty.. am I allowed to request a refund for all the money spent from the fiance application forward? Obviously, that request would be denied.. and you you are unable to sue the federal Government by law. Anyone else think about this? How do you feel about it?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Well, for the sake of speculation, even if the US offers an amnesty to undocumented aliens and allows them to apply for immigration benefits, why should this mean you no longer pay for the immigration benefits you are requesting and receiving? An amnesty only allows for an opportunity to apply - which undocumented aliens do not have at this time. It does not provide them 'free' processing or 'free' benefits. They would still have to pay the costs involved - and for certain circumstances will most likely also be required to pay penalties in addition to the costs, the same as anyone else requesting a benefit.

You are using an immigration service. You pay a fee to request the service. If the service is granted, great. If the service is denied, not so great, but you don't get your money back because they have done the work you requested; the answer wasn't what you wanted, but you still got the service - the review of the request for the immigration benefit.

I think you are mixing up apples and oranges. You already have the ability to apply for an immigration benefit and you are paying the requisite fees necessary to obtain a desired benefit. Amnesty would merely grant those who currently do not have the right to apply for an immigration benefit, the opportunity to request an immigration benefit. It won't be given to them free of cost and they, like everyone else, will pay a fee for the service and any user fees in order to obtain any benefits for which they may now qualify.

Nothing has been taken away from you, nor anything given to someone else at a reduced or cheaper cost than you are paying. Why would you get any money back? As Judge Judy likes to say - "you've eaten the steak; you pay the check". Amnesty means that those who have been hovering around the garbage bins in the back yard trying to scrounge something to eat will now be allowed to order from the menu - and pay for that order.

[Josie! 3]

Perhaps, or maybe a bit premature on both of our thoughts:

The bill calls for immigrants to pay both a fee and a fine. In a recent speech Mr. Obama used the word “penalty” to describe the fine illegal immigrants must pay. Fees, on the other hand, are meant to help cover the cost of administering an amnesty.

As to the fees, the bill does not outline what the fees would be – and there are waivers. The bill simply notes that illegal immigrants aged 16 and older who want legal status will have to pay a fee “in an amount determined by [DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano].” While it is unclear how much the fee would be, the bill says it should be enough to cover processing the applications. But in the next section, the bill gives Ms. Napolitano the power to limit the fee and to exempt “classes of individuals” altogether. With such broad authority granted by Congress, it is unclear whether this fee will even apply to most amnesty applicants.

http://cis.org/feere/5-myths-about-amnesty-illegal-immigrants-senate-bill

Regardless, I'll be quite annoyed if those fines and fees don't add up to at least the amount of fees we've paid to do this the legal way.

Just my 2 cents.

[Josie! 3]

I wanted to break down a few points that you made that are unsubstantiated.

It does not provide them 'free' processing or 'free' benefits. They would still have to pay the costs involved - and for certain circumstances will most likely also be required to pay penalties in addition to the costs, the same as anyone else requesting a benefit.

We do not know that at this time.

Amnesty would merely grant those who currently do not have the right to apply for an immigration benefit, the opportunity to request an immigration benefit. It won't be given to them free of cost and they, like everyone else, will pay a fee for the service and any user fees in order to obtain any benefits for which they may now qualify.

Please provide sources. This hasn't been determined yet.

Nothing has been taken away from you, nor anything given to someone else at a reduced or cheaper cost than you are paying.

How do you know that yet? If I've paid taxes and said taxes, whether state or federal supply waivers, then yes, I AM Paying.

Amnesty means that those who have been hovering around the garbage bins in the back yard trying to scrounge something to eat will now be allowed to order from the menu - and pay for that order.

Not sure where you got your meaning but -verb (used with object), am·nes·tied, am·nes·ty·ing.

4.to grant amnesty to; pardon. Law. an act of forgiveness for past offenses, especially to a class of persons as a whole.

3.a forgetting or overlooking of any past offense.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Josie!

[thedude6752000 360]

Also it's good to note that DACA was illegally put into place without a any fee. People who want to the work permit have to pay for that, but the paperwork for DACA is free. So it's not necessarily true that they will have to pay.

[Ed and Gina 45]

Also it's good to note that DACA was illegally put into place without a any fee. People who want to the work permit have to pay for that, but the paperwork for DACA is free. So it's not necessarily true that they will have to pay.

Actually - there is a fee...as I recall reading somewhere...the fee was between $400 - $600.00. Although, if they could not afford it, they could request a waiver.

And, Congress has either suspended DACA or they are in the process of doing so. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Obama from the Immigrant special interests groups to offer something similar to DACA to the rest of the 11 million + undocumented residents. Causes one to shiver with disbelief and anger.

[thedude6752000 360]

Actually - there is a fee...as I recall reading somewhere...the fee was between $400 - $600.00. Although, if they could not afford it, they could request a waiver.

And, Congress has either suspended DACA or they are in the process of doing so. Meanwhile, the pressure is on Obama from the Immigrant special interests groups to offer something similar to DACA to the rest of the 11 million + undocumented residents. Causes one to shiver with disbelief and anger.

You are mistaken. The I-821D, consideration for deferred action, has no filing fee associated with it:

http://www.uscis.gov/i-821d

"

Filing Fee

The total fee for Forms I-821D, I-765 and the I-765WS is $465. This fee includes a $380 fee for Form I-765 and an $85 biometric services fee. "

The I-765 is the work permit. DACA is not self-funded like every other USCIS form. Also DACA has not been suspended by Congress nor is there a workable possibility of doing so, unfortunately. Not sure where you heard this one.

Remember to vote R in November to punch Obama in his big floppy-eared face for this debacle.