USCIS proposes increasing application fees by 21% or more

[afrocraft 313]

Cost recovery is the stated goal, so:

• N-400 fees to go from $640 to $1,170 (83% increase)
• "Weighted-average" fees across all applications going up 21%
• Effective date is unclear, but I assume Oct 1, 2020
   

Lay press report: https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/politics/asylum-fee-uscis/index.html

Press release: https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-proposes-adjust-fees-meet-operational-needs

Proposed rule (technical): https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-24366.pdf?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pi+subscription+mailing+list

[TheKingmaker 153]

I would not mind as long as they provide a commensurate increase in their service level.

[Canerican 242]

I just looked at the federal register document and it looks like USCIS is in a deficit currently as it costs USCIS $871 for the naturalization process which is a loss of $231. If they increase the fee to $1170 they would make a profit. The $1,170 is aside from the $85 biometric fee which would bring the total to $1,255 if the proposal went through.  

[Deagle 508]

Here's the deal, it is not in any party's interest that the USCIS are in deficit.

This is what I think USCIS should do:

Increase the fees for the N400 so they will not be losing money, and give the option of premium processing for a very short time (2-4 months guaranteed) for $2000.

This way USCIS will not lose money for processing application of the ones who can't pay the premium fee, and will be making good profit from the ones who does have the money.

[Philly2017 35]

Interesting News Release

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-proposes-adjust-fees-meet-operational-needs

 

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-24366.pdf?utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pi+subscription+mailing+list

 

For petitioners that are interested and eligible for Naturalization with a pending or approved I-751, DHS proposes to increase the fee for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, from $640 to $1,170, a $530 or 83% increase.  

 

Also, DHS proposes to incorporate the biometric services cost into the underlying immigration benefit request fees for which biometric services are applicable.

 

Effective Date:  The FY 2019/2020 fee review assumes these changes may affect the second year of the biennial period, as FY 2020 began on October 1, 2019.

 

 

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion to US Immigration News and Discussion**

 

[JFH 12,190]

If they increase the fees then USCIS Seattle office seriously needs to do something about the current wait time of 15 months. That’s too much of a joke already. But with an increase in the fee also? Ridiculous. 

[Soul Mates 44]

Also they want to charge separately for employment authorization ($490) and travel document ($585) when filing for adjustment of status, no longer letting people get it for free. Currently its $1,225 including biometrics, they want to change it to $2,195 to adjust status and get employment authorization and permission to travel, a 79% increase. (see page 86 on linked pdf) 😬

[Scandi 4,168]

"Effective Date:  The FY 2019/2020 fee review assumes these changes may affect the second year of the biennial period, as FY 2020 began on October 1, 2019."

 

What does that even mean? Most difficult and confusing sentence I have ever read since becoming an immigrant. 😆 Anyone that can explain it in easier words?

[Philly2017 35]

4 hours ago, Scandi said:

"Effective Date:  The FY 2019/2020 fee review assumes these changes may affect the second year of the biennial period, as FY 2020 began on October 1, 2019."

 

What does that even mean? Most difficult and confusing sentence I have ever read since becoming an immigrant. 😆 Anyone that can explain it in easier words?

USCIS is required to conduct biennial reviews of the fees.  The biennial period of this review is FY 2019 and FY 2020.  My interpretation, therefore, is that the effective date mentioned on the review, will kick in between October 1st 2020 and September 30th 2021, if the proposal is approved.  

 

[Scandi 4,168]

55 minutes ago, NYCQueens2017 said:

USCIS is required to conduct biennial reviews of the fees.  The biennial period of this review is FY 2019 and FY 2020.  My interpretation, therefore, is that the effective date mentioned on the review, will kick in between October 1st 2020 and September 30th 2021, if the proposal is approved.  

 

Thank you! So better off applying for citizenship before then if possible, just in case. The proposed fee is a huge difference from the current.

[Philly2017 35]

2 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Thank you! So better off applying for citizenship before then if possible, just in case. The proposed fee is a huge difference from the current.

I believe so.  That is, of course, if the applicant is eligible and wishes to apply for naturalization.  

[RedroseMT 37]

One more reason to stay a LPR for good ( if someone decides so ) . 

[geowrian 22,337]

Dang...look at those (expected) increases in applications in just 3 years:

• Almost double the # of I-131s (AP) and I-140s
• ~50% increase in # of I-601A waivers
• 4x the # of I-765 (EADs)
• Overall, ~60% increase in total applications

As for how the fees would be used:

• $208 million to be transferred to ICE (FY19/FY20)
• $280 million for existing staff pay increases, benefits adjustments, etc. (for FY19, only $90mil in FY20)
• $117mil/$129mil for new staff (FY19/FY20)
• $157mil other costs (to support the above items, improved shipping security for green cards, etc.)

[JeanneAdil 6,554]

already is a high budget paid by immigration fees (not under a federal budget)

 

51.67 billion USD (2020)

 

United States Department of Homeland Security/Annual budget

with border security getting the following

Since 2003, the budget of CBP has, which includes both the Border Patrol and operations at ports of entry, has more than doubled, rising from $5.9 billion in FY 2003 to $17.1 billion in FY 2019 (Figure 2).