Worldandnation: Fees to become a U.S. citizen, resident, to increase sharply

Fees to become a U.S. citizen, resident, to increase sharply

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published May 30, 2007

WASHINGTON - Immigration officials said Tuesday they will proceed with plans to double the cost of applying to become a U.S. citizen and triple the fee for seeking legal permanent residency.

The fee increases will take effect July 30. Citizenship fees will rise from $330 to $595, plus $80 for required electronic fingerprints, an increase of $10. For legal permanent residency and fingerprints the cost will be $1, 010 for those older than 14. The cost now is $325.

Officials with Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, said the increases are needed to improve service, hire 1, 500 workers, improve offices, equipment and systems to process applications.

Many immigration groups and some Democratic members of Congress have protested the fee increases, saying they will put citizenship and legal immigration out of reach of many immigrants. They also question whether better service will follow.

The new fees were to be published this week in the Federal Register and also were posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site.

[Last modified May 30, 2007, 01:50:28]

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by frank	06/20/07 08:28 PM
Hi Kids, If you don't like America, Why are you here ? Cost for doing your paper work is cost to taxpayer. If you don't like America, go back to you country. That's just easy, America did not want you, you want to live in US, don't you.

by Ray	06/06/07 05:08 PM
Well I think they shouldnt rise the immigranted fees because it already expensive enough. People who have been lving in the U.S for there whole life should have the right to get Citizenship or be legal Resident of this Country.

by moroni	06/04/07 09:02 PM
if you know that many people are tire of being an immigrant il do what ever it takes to become a citizen

by Tina	06/04/07 05:44 PM
I had to pay the fees to get my Green Card twice in 1997 because the INS lost the first set of paperwork. Very incompetent ! I want to become an American citizen and don't think that it's fair that I have to pay double the money than what it is now.

by Anne	05/30/07 09:42 PM
Obviously some people here forget that the USA was built on immigrants. Where would you be without your ancestors coming from all over the world? Only because you were born as an American, doesn't give you the right to talk bad about every immigrant!

by Jim	05/30/07 05:28 PM
I am going through a hard legal immigrant process- its been ~10 years and waiting. I have spent almost $15,000 (incl. lawyers) per person in my family and still no sight of GREEN CARD!! DO YOU THINK ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WILL PAY THIS MUCH? AND MORE?

by Meh	05/30/07 05:10 PM
Well, hopefully we will get what we pay for then, rather then the crappy waiting list. And also if this is such a case then people, people w/ permanent residency should not be paying for someelse's grandma and grandpa in day care? Citizen=Taxes..etc

by Arturo	05/30/07 04:02 PM
Most of those families make less than 11,000 a year; those immigrants are exploited in their own countries, why shouldn't we take advantage of those people with no country? We forgot that millions came illegally from Europe, but 99% became citizens.

by Cari	05/30/07 03:59 PM
Born in US-in luv w/an Israeli national-Got married& started the process we've pyd over $10K in fees& lawyers& we're only about 1/2 way done. I've nvr been treated w/such disrespect & prejudice 'til dealing w/ INS-They are evil! FREE RIDE?-YEAH RT!

by JZ	05/30/07 03:46 PM
I have studied here for 2 years and worked here for 8 years. All legally. I am still waiting for my green card. The fee is not an issue for me. But the process time is really bad. I have no idea what INS is doing every day.

by scott	05/30/07 03:35 PM
If they wanna be citizens, let them pay the price. The fees should be at least another 30% higher. Afterall, countries around the world charge Americans the eqivalent of an expensive steak dinner, about $40. just to depart their countries. Screw 'em

by steve	05/30/07 03:31 PM
Now the illegals will pay for some of the other illegals. Win-win. I pay more for the illegals free health care each month,

by Nate	05/30/07 03:28 PM
Some of you are in states where it DOES NOT affect you. I am in Phoenix, one of the worst, and living in fear because of the illegals on the street is NO way to live. Having to be on edge all the time and fear for your families safety is not right.

by Andre	05/30/07 03:27 PM
I agree with Alan, I did it the 'legal' way and it cost over $11k, and I'm still not a citizen, and the wall around Berlin worked I'm sure the one in the USA will too.

by Fred	05/30/07 12:00 PM
This is the main reason when we go oversees, that people doesn't like us, comments like the ones made here are a shame for our nation

by ora	05/30/07 11:48 AM
It's too late, and too little. . . I don't believe in free rides.

by Melinda	05/30/07 11:38 AM
I think the amounts are very fair considering we have been paying through the nose for these outlaws. I think that if any illegals are caught refusing to pay the price...fine them the same amount and send them back...after they pay the fine.

by Tim	05/30/07 11:36 AM
Allen & JT how about you work for 5 years, pay taxes and SS that don't benefit you, and have no right to vote on these issues. I think Immigrants pay plenty already. It cost me close to $13,000 just to be legal resident.

by Alan	05/30/07 11:29 AM
Good move. Immigration Services should collect enough in fees to fully support its expenses.

by Andrew	05/30/07 11:28 AM
Some moron will always roll out the "illegals" stuff. People don't come to this country and just take, you idiot. By the way, no one is "jumping to the front of the line," either, as there is often no line for anyone to get into, $ or not.

by Wayne	05/30/07 11:26 AM
It costs a hell of a lot more than just the fees listed here to become a citizen - this is just the final fee. If you think all it takes for an immigrant to become a citizen is $400, then you really should educate yourself better.

by Hugh	05/30/07 11:25 AM
I'm an immigrant who came to this country the hard way - legally. I guarantee that this fee hike will not improve service. The INS is the nastiest and most incompetent bunch of bureaucrats on the face of the earth. Dealing with them is a nightmare.

by robert	05/30/07 08:30 AM
IF the bush administration had been at plymouth rock this country would still be only 13 colonies and white only!

by Allen	05/30/07 08:12 AM
Well, it is about time. If you really want to become an American it should not be a free ride for just everyone at $400.00. $1000.00 seems pretty reasonable to me. If you want to hear the music, you have to pay the piper.

by JT	05/30/07 08:09 AM
Being an American is more expensive(primarily taxes to support illegal aliens) so becoming a citizen should be more expensive to prove you can afford to contribute not just take. If you can't afford $675 to become a citizen how will you benefit USA?

by Anne	05/30/07 05:17 AM
Between the fees charged at origin to enter green card lotteries, the amount required to support oneself upon entry and now the increased citizen and residency fees here, it would be easier to enter illegally, or at least a lot cheaper.

by Jack	05/30/07 04:42 AM
It's logical. This administration is only about more money. That's why we're in Iraq, for example, although that went a bit wrong.

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Fees to become a U.S. citizen, resident, to increase sharply