Immigration agency seeks bailout, plans to charge more for visa applications

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

"The federal agency responsible for processing visa and asylum requests has requested $1.2 billion from Congress due to lost revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.  US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a part of the Department of Homeland Security, notified Congress of its projected budget shortfall on Friday, an agency spokesperson said. Additionally, the agency is proposing a 10% surcharge on application fees to reimburse taxpayers.

 

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS has seen a dramatic decrease in revenue and is seeking a one-time emergency request for funding," the spokesperson said in part.

 

The immigration agency is primarily fee-funded and typically continues most operations during lapses in funding, such as last year's government shutdown. However, during the pandemic the agency suspended its in-person services, including all interviews and naturalization ceremonies.  USCIS estimates that application and petition receipts will drop by approximately 61% through the end of the fiscal year, exhausting funding this summer.

 

The agency's depleted funds are the inevitable result of the administration's policies that decreased the number of petitions -- and thus fees -- received by USCIS, said Sarah Pierce, a policy analyst for the US Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute."

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/uscis-emergency-funding-coronavirus/index.html
 

 

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

I knew this was coming, I just commented on it about a week ago....that once travel and bans are lifted immigration will come with a heavy fee. 

Hi there Cap🤩🤩 @Captain Ewok

Edited May 20, 2020 by Sparkle Sparkle

[RKarim 2]

Good day people does anyone have an idea when this will be implemented? 

Thanks. 

[stech786 236]

This is good news & they will soon open embassy around the world.

Edited May 21, 2020 by stech786

[Fe.Ta 874]

Given this situation, would it be possible they would try to continue the interview waivers they have been doing?  I know it is not for certain, just getting some opinions.

[sl1pstream 551]

They're starting to lay off contractors. Expect wait times to increase dramatically.

 

"About 1,000 employees in the Kansas City area working for the National Benefits Center, an agency under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, received notice on Friday that their jobs face elimination in what would be one of the largest mass layoffs of the year for the region."

 

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article242937081.html

Edited May 23, 2020 by sl1pstream

[fs2439 46]

I wonder what happened to the 1000 workers in Kansas City.