osgood

https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news...pe-immigration

Rete

Please note these are proposed changes only and asa USCIS issues notification of fee increases and/or decreases those fees will be made available to all and will be placed as a PINNED POST.

Olly_

Wow, they are planning to virtually double the cost of applying for naturalization!

shiversaint

It's interesting that the most maligned visa in the press, the H1-B, is the one most lightly hit. Implies this is basically not political and just in line with their costs.

lizzyq

I suspect that the cost increase is largely to cover the biometrics cost, but with the costs of renewing the green card being similar I can see people delaying naturalization until the green card is due to expire rather than applying as soon as their 3 or 5 year residency period is completed.

tom169

These prices don't look completely out of wack. There's a lot of legwork required at all stages. I think USCIS should continue to improve efficiencies, e-file of forms etc. The work done so far has probably mitigated some increases.

Olly_

Thereby reducing the pool of (likely Democratic leaning) voters for a while

2 years and 9 months until I'm eligible to file and I shall be doing so at the earliest opportunity!

tom169

There are already waivers and charities that assist with fees.

Olly_

USCIS is proposing to reduce/remove many of the fee waivers as well.

neill

I don't buy that the 'poorer' immigrants are all would-be democrats.
I think there's a good cross section of 'poorer', god-fearing immigrants that turn out to be more republican minded. Esp from S. America.

SpoogleDrummer

That's pretty much what I did, I was in absolutely no rush to become a citizen whilst my green card still had years left on it so didn't become a citizen until I'd been here about 12 years. If I knew the price was about to double though I'd probably rush in an application ASAP.

Lord PercyPercy

Filed my N-400 last week because I had heard of these proposed changes. If anyone is thinking of doing it I'd jump on it before the increases come in!

retzie

Wow, I didn't read the book-keeping changes until now. Moving USCIS fee revenue to support ICE enforcement???? If I were still within this fee system, I would be outraged (I'm still outraged, tbh). USCIS fees are, by definition, paid by people following the rules. How could anyone possibly justify asking such people to pay more for enforcement against the rule-breakers?

Also, why does anyone need petitions for immigrant workers to get cheaper?

Olly_

They're proposing to remove the free AP/EAD that you get when you file for Adjustment of Status too

retzie

Jeebus

Nice way to welcome people who are 6ish years from potentially voting. Although, I guess they've got that covered too