Immigration Fees Set To Increase Under New Proposal
Federal officials are proposing to raise immigration fees up 10 percent. It would now cost immigrants nearly $1,100 to legally come to the United States legally, according to the Associated Press. 
Applications to replace permanent resident cards, applications for naturalization certificates, and applications for status as temporary residents are among those that would be affected by fee increases under the new proposal.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is a "fee-based organization with about 90 percent of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners to obtain immigration benefits," according to its site. According to the Alejandro Mayorkas, director of the Service, fee increases are necessary to close a projected $200-million deficit for 2010-11.
Fees for naturalization, however, would not be affected.
"Recognizing the unique importance of naturalization, we propose that the naturalization application fee not be increased," Mayorkas stated.
The USCIS has established a public comment period on the proposal from Friday to July 26, 2010. Comments can be submitted here.
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