The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently seeking public comment on proposed fee changes for certain immigration benefit applications and petitions. By law, USCIS is required to reevaluate its fee structure every two years. The goal of the proposed fee changes is to better reflect the actual cost of USCIS operations. In accordance with Federal administrative law, USCIS will accept public comments on the proposed changes until July 26, 2010 at
http://www.regulations.gov/.
USCIS Director, Alejandro Mayorkas, states that USCIS is “mindful of the effect of a fee increase on the communities we serve and have worked hard to minimize the size of the proposed increase through budget cuts and other measures.” Fortunately, a few fees, such as the I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e), would be decreased under the proposed changes, and the N-400 Application for Naturalization fee will remain at $595, in recognition of the “unique importance of naturalization.” According to Director Mayorkas, “Requesting and obtaining U.S. citizenship deserves special consideration given the unique nature of this benefit to the individual applicant, the significant public benefit to the Nation, and the [N]ation’s proud tradition of welcoming new citizens.”
Posts
