Comparing Costs: Current vs. Proposed Fees
2020 has been a year of emotional roller coasters for immigrants seeking to come to the United States. Now, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed raising citizenship application fees by 80% and marriage-based green cards by 56%. Which means that possibly starting as soon as November 14, 2020 (when the final rule will be pending), applying for citizenship or residency may be financially out of reach for many.
Currently, applying for citizenship or marriage-based green cards costs the average applicant $640 and $1,760 respectively. USCIS will raise these fees to $1,170 for citizenship applications and $2,750 for marriage-based green cards. This is a sharp spike in cost, and some may not be able to pay it once USCIS makes these changes. Because of this, it may be crucial for some to act quickly in their best interest. By applying before the USCIS increases fees, you may be saving yourself uncertainty and hefty expenses. USCIS will now also impose more restrictions on fee waiver requirements, pushing many to weigh whether they should forge on ahead with the application process or wait until a better time to apply.
Legal Obstacles to Immigration
A better time to apply for green cards or visas is unlikely to appear in the near future. With an unpredictable administration at the helm of the White House, much has changed in very little time. The best time to apply for a visa or green card would be now, before the USCIS increases fees.
As USCIS has reopened after the first wave of COVID-19, there is no telling when they will close their doors again if another wave of the pandemic should hit. In the face of uncertainty, planning ahead may help save time and money down the line. This is something to consider as the Trump administration is not pulling any punches when it comes to immigration. One such example is that immigrants who use public benefits will no longer be able to use this fact as proof of low income in order to receive a fee waiver for applications.
Why USCIS Increases Fees
USCIS will increase fees in order to stay afloat. Unlike other federal agencies, USCIS receives almost no tax dollars. It depends entirely upon the filing fees that immigrants pay in order to apply for visas, work permits, green cards, asylum, and any other forms offered. Due to the current climate of difficulty that is enveloping US immigration, both with the push back from an administration that is not fond of immigration and USCIS’ recent shutdown due to COVID-19, USCIS has had a rocky first half of the year.
In order to survive the economic damage caused by COVID-19 and the decrease in immigration, USCIS has had to increase its fees. Due to the constant roadblocks that the Trump administration places in immigrant’s paths it may feel as if you are being backed into a corner. But you should not forget that you do not have to face the US immigration process alone. With its complex and ever-changing nature, immigration law is both intricate and reactionary to social change, the whims of administrations, as well as public health crises.
Aparisi Law is currently offering three free consultations per day until June 30th in an effort to provide a window of opportunity for those who would like to expedite their visa or green card application. We are committed to giving immigrants a fighting chance at a start in a new country, and will represent you to the best of our abilities. Call a member of our team today at (301) 562 -1416 to schedule a free consultation.
