Critics Charge Slow Immigration Processing Nets USCIS Billions In Fees

[90DayFinancier 910]

Due to long processing times, since 2014 companies have been forced to pay $2.4 billion in “premium processing” fees to ensure their business immigration cases are decided within a reasonable time. Critics say U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has no incentive to process cases faster because the more time it takes, the greater the revenue the agency receives in additional premium processing fees.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2020/03/02/critics-charge-slow-immigration-processing-nets-uscis-billions-in-fees/#350b1503457a

[African Zealot 1,452]

I think Premium Processing is unfair. Like the article implies, there is no incentive to adjudicate other petitions expeditiously when they can be forced into premium processing by delaying their cases.

 

In my opinion either USCIS adjusts upwards the cost of regular processing and eliminates premium processing, or abolishes premium processing altogether.

 

I didn't realize they were making such a killing from Premium Processing. Gosh!

Edited March 3, 2020 by Ray.Bonaquist

[Dashinka 23,245]

At least businesses have the option of paying for premium processing.  If it was available for family based visas I imagine many would consider paying it.

[millefleur 5,035]

This is like a chicken and egg argument...they just need to hire more people because we know every year they get more money from fees (fees go up, more and more people apply.) 

[sl1pstream 551]

4 hours ago, millefleur said:

This is like a chicken and egg argument...they just need to hire more people because we know every year they get more money from fees (fees go up, more and more people apply.) 

Legal immigration has actually gone down pretty significantly.

Edited March 12, 2020 by sl1pstream

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,079]

On 3/11/2020 at 6:28 AM, Dashinka said:

At least businesses have the option of paying for premium processing.  If it was available for family based visas I imagine many would consider paying it.

I imagine for family based visas, premium processing would have to be way more expensive than regular processing if they didn't want 'premium' processing to effectively become regular processing. It's really hard to put a price on getting your fiance(e), spouse, or child here sooner.

[millefleur 5,035]

16 hours ago, sl1pstream said:

Legal immigration has actually gone down pretty significantly.

Would love to know why wait times are longer than ever in that case. Closing all DCF offices probably contributed, but still, you would assume fewer applications + larger fees = faster processing. That doesn't seem to be the case though.