Increased Immigration Fees Denounced

[Captain Ewok 1,871]

Increased Immigration Fees Denounced

By Darryl Fears and Spencer S. Hsu

Washington Post Staff Writers

Thursday, February 1, 2007; Page A07

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) joined a chorus of immigrant advocacy groups in condemning the Bush administration's plan to charge legal immigrants significantly more money to obtain green cards, adjust their residency status and bring relatives to the United States.

Under the plan, announced yesterday by Emilio Gonzalez, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government would charge $905 -- up from $325 -- to apply for a green card or to adjust residency status. Immigrants with green cards would have to pay $595 to become naturalized citizens, a $265 increase. The cost of bringing a foreign fiance to the United States would more than double, to $455.

"This drastic increase will price the American dream out of reach for qualified immigrants wanting to be citizens of our country," Kennedy said. He called on Congress to appropriate more money to USCIS, which depends on fees for 99 percent of its budget. "We are a nation of immigrants, and Congress should recognize its responsibility to support the vital work of immigration services by appropriating the necessary funds," he said.

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