Big increase in citizenship fees proposed

[Kajikit 65]

MiamiHerald 1/31/07

Big increases in citizenship fees proposed

BY LESLEY CLARK

lclark@MiamiHerald.com

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/...ws/16588907.htm

WASHINGTON - Fees for immigration and naturalization services would be raised substantially under a proposal that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says would enable the agency to speed up the application process.

The average increase would be about 86 percent. One of the most heavily used services, applying for permanent residence, would be increased from $325 to $905.

Officials with CIS defended the proposed increases -- the first other than inflation since 1998, they said -- as essential for speeding up the processing of applications and strengthening the security of the immigration system.

''This better reflects the true cost of doing business,'' said agency director Emilio Gonzalez.

The proposed increase will be available for public comment for 60 days, starting tomorrow. It would not take effect until later this year -- likely in June.

Members of Congress suggested today they were concerned about the size of the increase and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., the chair of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, said she planned to ''carefully examine'' the justification for the increases.

''Changes in the current fee structure must be fair and reasonable,'' she said.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

proposed new fees:

[sparkofcreation 0]

proposed new fees:

Every time I try to view that link (it's linked to in a few places), it tells me I don't have permission because I'm not logged in. But I am. As you can see, since I'm posting a comment.

[SoL. 0]

proposed new fees:

Every time I try to view that link (it's linked to in a few places), it tells me I don't have permission because I'm not logged in. But I am. As you can see, since I'm posting a comment.

That happened to me too.... I am still trying to figure out when they are going to increase the fees, if it's on June...

[doc_cute 0]

proposed new fees:

Every time I try to view that link (it's linked to in a few places), it tells me I don't have permission because I'm not logged in. But I am. As you can see, since I'm posting a comment.

That happened to me too.... I am still trying to figure out when they are going to increase the fees, if it's on June...

samr thing even i cant open the link says i m not logged in

[akdiver 3]

Big deal. I'd happily pay a $3000 fee if it meant walk-in, same-day processing, new passport, and two copies of the certificate of naturalization before you walk out the door.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

[Aymerlu 3]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

I agree. I can't see the fee increase making anyone work any faster.

[doc_cute 0]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

[akdiver 3]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

Well, then I would still consider it a bargain, but I would ###### about the slow service. (:

[BelwinMills 0]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

Increasing the fees for what when there are so many people who come here illegal and the people doing it the right way get ripped off.

[KarenCee 3]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

It may be worthless, but what can *we* do to stop them? Absolutely nothing. They figure...either cough it up or live without your beloved...they don't care either way. If you want to bring your beloved here, you *will* pay the fee. Period.

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

Increasing the fees for what when there are so many people who come here illegal and the people doing it the right way get ripped off.

I agree with this too, but it's pointless. Our government has to do something about dealing with the illegals. Maybe I have a defeatist attitude these days. All I want is for my husband to be out of name check and get his green card so we can get on with our lives....until we have to do this all over again.

[j-manu 0]

Just another form of a tax increase.

[doc_cute 0]

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

It may be worthless, but what can *we* do to stop them? Absolutely nothing. They figure...either cough it up or live without your beloved...they don't care either way. If you want to bring your beloved here, you *will* pay the fee. Period.

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

Increasing the fees for what when there are so many people who come here illegal and the people doing it the right way get ripped off.

I agree with this too, but it's pointless. Our government has to do something about dealing with the illegals. Maybe I have a defeatist attitude these days. All I want is for my husband to be out of name check and get his green card so we can get on with our lives....until we have to do this all over again.

karen

can u pls let me know what is aos name check is it sama as an a.p ?

Yeah, but what if you are paying the $3,000 increased fees and getting exactly the same level of service? That is more likely to happen than what you propose.

then its worthless kathryn to increase the fees

Increasing the fees for what when there are so many people who come here illegal and the people doing it the right way get ripped off.

i love that one belwinmills ,

[KarenCee 3]

My husband applied for his green card back in July 2006. Everyone who applies goes through FBI name check. Some checks are short...some are LOOOOOOOOOOOONG. Right now my husband has been in name check for 8 months. I know some who are still in name check almost two years...some longer. I don't know if it's the same as AP or not, but it sure sounds like it.