Immigrants may have to pay $370 for new green cards

[peejay 327]

Immigrants may have to pay $370 for new green cards

By SUZANNE GAMBOA

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — What the federal government sees as a way to beef up security, an immigration advocate sees as another roundup of immigrants for deportation.

A division of the Homeland Security Department on Wednesday proposed requiring legal residents with green cards issued without expiration dates to get those cards replaced. And the government estimated about 750,000 cards need replacing.

But getting the card replaced could be like walking into a trap for some legal residents.

A 1996 immigration law expanded the list of crimes for which immigrants, even those with legal residency, could be deported.

Under that law, some legal residents have been deported for crimes they committed when they were younger and for which they've already paid fines or served jail time.

Some legal residents are snared when they try to re-enter the country when returning from vacation abroad. Some leave children and spouses behind in the U.S.

"This is a way of asking people to come report themselves," said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Green cards are proof of authorization to live and work in the United States. Legal residents must carry the card at all times.

The government wants to redo the photos and fingerprints to make sure the cards are updated and accurate.

"It's a security issue," said Bill Wright, Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman. "It's making sure the right person has the right card."

Legal residents will have to pay a $290 replacement application fee plus $80 for electronic fingerprints and a photo. Under the proposal, legal residents would have 120 days — about four months — to replace their cards.

The government is not proposing to go look for legal residents who have the cards without expiration dates. And since most of its records are on paper, it would be difficult to find them.

But the government is proposing to terminate cards that are not updated and to prosecute legal residents who fail to update their cards after giving them two chances to do so.

A terminated card would not invalidate an immigrant's status as a legal resident, but could make it hard to travel or get a new job.

After that, those who fail to comply could face up to 30 days in prison and a $100 fine.

The proposal is not final, but legal residents can begin applying now for a replacement if they choose.

Public comment on the proposal will be taken online at the Federal Register or by mail at Citizenship and Immigration Services through Sept. 21.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5076591.html

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

#### that for a game of Jumanji.

[mawilson 2,133]

$370 - is that a lot?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I dunno - I just get strangely angry whenever I see the USCIS trying to squeeze yet more money out people. Especially given the cost of AOS these days.

[kim&james 0]

Thats going to be one big windfall for the USCIS. Its also going to annoy the ####### out of a lot of permanent residents. The logistics of this are going to be a nightmare. How are they going to notify people that their card is no longer valid especially considering how bad their updated address system is. I hope they arent going to just rely on people coming forward cause there is no way they can get everyone.

Will be interesting over the next year or so to see just how much the USCIS does take in.

[almaty 19]

i agree..they get allot of pissing and moaning on this one....i like to see enforcement on a 70 year old grandmother, who has been here for 45 years

[mawilson 2,133]

i agree..they get allot of pissing and moaning on this one....i like to see enforcement on a 70 year old grandmother, who has been here for 45 years

If she's been here that long and hasn't become a citizen, she deserves to be deported.

[almaty 19]

i agree..they get allot of pissing and moaning on this one....i like to see enforcement on a 70 year old grandmother, who has been here for 45 years

If she's been here that long and hasn't become a citizen, she deserves to be deported.

i agree..have afriend, whose mother is an english citizen, been in america since 1950...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Deporting the 80 year old grandmother. That would be reason enough to support the second amendment.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Deporting the 80 year old grandmother. That would be reason enough to support the second amendment.

Ok, who are you and what have you done with Number 6?

[natty bumppo 297]

Deporting the 80 year old grandmother. That would be reason enough to support the second amendment.

grannys got a gun

[mawilson 2,133]

Deporting the 80 year old grandmother. That would be reason enough to support the second amendment.

LOL - especially if they deport a UK citizen "back to Mexico" because that's where all the illegals are from.

[pedroh 21]

Deporting the 80 year old grandmother. That would be reason enough to support the second amendment.

LOL - especially if they deport a UK citizen "back to Mexico" because that's where all the illegals are from.

ROTFLMAO

[Dr_LHA 3]

$370 - is that a lot?

Actually, I think it is. It's not clear to me why basically issuing a new ID costs $370, or why biometrics are needed to issue the new card. A new photo maybe. The cost for me to get a new drivers license, with photo ID and fancy card cost $26. OK the tech on the Green Card is a bit more fancy than the DL, but how really do USCIS justify $370 for a new card? After all being granted LPR means you're a legal permenant resident. Issuing a new card should be a formality, its not like they have to review your case like they do for AOS.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

$370 - is that a lot?

Actually, I think it is. It's not clear to me why basically issuing a new ID costs $370, or why biometrics are needed to issue the new card. A new photo maybe. The cost for me to get a new drivers license, with photo ID and fancy card cost $26. OK the tech on the Green Card is a bit more fancy than the DL, but how really do USCIS justify $370 for a new card? After all being granted LPR means you're a legal permenant resident. Issuing a new card should be a formality, its not like they have to review your case like they do for AOS.

Agreed. Even so I can't see how $1000 for an AOS application is reasonably justified.