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Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail me
(202) 635-5810
Advocates Debate Rise in Fees for US Residency, Citizenship
By Michael Bowman
Voice of America
May 30, 2007
LISTEN TO REPORT (mp3) or WATCH THE VIDEO
President Bush says a primary goal of immigration
reform is to bring millions of illegal aliens "out of
the shadows" and provide a path to legal
residency and eventual U.S. citizenship. But
while the president champions such reform, the
United States is set to implement the largest-ever
boost in fees charged to those applying for
residency and citizenship. VOA's Michael
Bowman reports from Washington, advocates
for immigrants say the administration is sending
mixed messages to an often fearful and
vulnerable community.
For newcomers, both legal and undocumented,
the cost of pursuing the American dream is about
to go up. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Service is doubling, and in some cases tripling, its fees. Beginning July 30, the charge for adults seeking
residency will exceed $1,000; the fee for citizenship will be nearly $600.
Some say the higher fees undermine President Bush's stated goals on immigration.
"To come up with $1,000 per family member to obtain permanent residence - it is going to keep a lot of people in
the shadows for a very long time," says Crystal Williams, a deputy director at the American Immigration Lawyers
Association.
Williams says the new fees constitute an enormous financial hurdle that will force countless poorer immigrants to
delay applications - and may lead some to give up entirely.
But officials at the Citizenship and Immigration Service point out that the agency receives no federal funds to
process applications. Costs are covered entirely by fees charged. They say unless those fees reflect actual
costs, services would have to be cut back and waiting times for applicants would increase.
"We realize that anytime we increase the fees that there is a burden there," says USCIS spokesman Chris
Bentley. "There is pain that is caused along the way. However, to be able to remain a world class service
provider, to be able to get the services and benefits in a timely manner to the people who deserve them, we
simply need the resources to be able to make that happen."
Bentley adds that refugees and asylum-seekers will remain exempt from charge, and some fees can be reduced
for residency and citizenship applicants facing dire economic hardship.
But if USCIS is constrained by its dependence on fees for operating costs, then it is time to change the system,
according to Donald Kerwin of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
"Citizenship is a national good. It is important for our country. And so we think that to fix the system, to reduce
backlogs and improve technology, there needs to be appropriated monies [federal funds] for this. It needs to go
beyond the fee-based system," he said.
Some in Congress counter that it would be wrong to shift the financial burden to U.S. taxpayers. Republican
Congressman Steve King of Iowa says the new fees are still far lower than what illegal immigrants typically pay
smugglers to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
"We are seeing coyote [smuggler] fees go up to $1,500 to $2,500 per person," he said. "I do not see any fees
levied by USCIS that were that high. So if it is cheaper to have access to becoming a citizen than it is to be
transported [illegally] to the United States, then, no, I do not think those fees are too high by comparison."
Immigration officials also defend the fee system, saying it provides spending flexibility, since revenues go up in
proportion to any rise in applications. They say previous fee hikes have not resulted in drastic reductions in
applications for residency or citizenship.
Immigrant advocates counter that the current fee hike is far greater than any previous increase. They also note
studies showing the percentage of eligible immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship dropping in recent decades.
Opinions vary as to the cause, but immigrant advocates say making it more expensive for immigrants to pursue
legal status or citizenship can only serve as a further deterrent.
By Michael Bowman
Voice of America
May 30, 2007
LISTEN TO REPORT (mp3) or WATCH THE VIDEO
President Bush says a primary goal of immigration
reform is to bring millions of illegal aliens "out of
the shadows" and provide a path to legal
residency and eventual U.S. citizenship. But
while the president champions such reform, the
United States is set to implement the largest-ever
boost in fees charged to those applying for
residency and citizenship. VOA's Michael
Bowman reports from Washington, advocates
for immigrants say the administration is sending
mixed messages to an often fearful and
vulnerable community.
For newcomers, both legal and undocumented,
the cost of pursuing the American dream is about
to go up. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Service is doubling, and in some cases tripling, its fees. Beginning July 30, the charge for adults seeking
residency will exceed $1,000; the fee for citizenship will be nearly $600.
Some say the higher fees undermine President Bush's stated goals on immigration.
"To come up with $1,000 per family member to obtain permanent residence - it is going to keep a lot of people in
the shadows for a very long time," says Crystal Williams, a deputy director at the American Immigration Lawyers
Association.
Williams says the new fees constitute an enormous financial hurdle that will force countless poorer immigrants to
delay applications - and may lead some to give up entirely.
But officials at the Citizenship and Immigration Service point out that the agency receives no federal funds to
process applications. Costs are covered entirely by fees charged. They say unless those fees reflect actual
costs, services would have to be cut back and waiting times for applicants would increase.
"We realize that anytime we increase the fees that there is a burden there," says USCIS spokesman Chris
Bentley. "There is pain that is caused along the way. However, to be able to remain a world class service
provider, to be able to get the services and benefits in a timely manner to the people who deserve them, we
simply need the resources to be able to make that happen."
Bentley adds that refugees and asylum-seekers will remain exempt from charge, and some fees can be reduced
for residency and citizenship applicants facing dire economic hardship.
But if USCIS is constrained by its dependence on fees for operating costs, then it is time to change the system,
according to Donald Kerwin of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
"Citizenship is a national good. It is important for our country. And so we think that to fix the system, to reduce
backlogs and improve technology, there needs to be appropriated monies [federal funds] for this. It needs to go
beyond the fee-based system," he said.
Some in Congress counter that it would be wrong to shift the financial burden to U.S. taxpayers. Republican
Congressman Steve King of Iowa says the new fees are still far lower than what illegal immigrants typically pay
smugglers to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
"We are seeing coyote [smuggler] fees go up to $1,500 to $2,500 per person," he said. "I do not see any fees
levied by USCIS that were that high. So if it is cheaper to have access to becoming a citizen than it is to be
transported [illegally] to the United States, then, no, I do not think those fees are too high by comparison."
Immigration officials also defend the fee system, saying it provides spending flexibility, since revenues go up in
proportion to any rise in applications. They say previous fee hikes have not resulted in drastic reductions in
applications for residency or citizenship.
Immigrant advocates counter that the current fee hike is far greater than any previous increase. They also note
studies showing the percentage of eligible immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship dropping in recent decades.
Opinions vary as to the cause, but immigrant advocates say making it more expensive for immigrants to pursue
legal status or citizenship can only serve as a further deterrent.
media inquiries: Melissa Williams
Media Relations Coordinator
(202) 635-5810
Media Relations Coordinator
(202) 635-5810
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