The Us Plans To Significantly Increase The Price Of Some Important Immigration Processes
The most common immigration procedures, such as requests for Permanent Residence and naturalization, would increase in 2020, according to a rule promoted by Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Although the agency estimates that the average increase is only 21 percent, some of its services, such as the petition to become a United States citizen (Form N-400) would have an increase of 83 percent, going from $ 640 dollars. at $ 1,170.
Others would have increases of 532%, such as the unification of the price for Form I-881, Request for Withholding of Removal or Special Rule for Cancellation of Removal, which currently costs $ 285 per person and $ 570 per family. The new price would be $ 1,800 dollars, which in the first case represents the indicated increase and in the second, 216%.
In the case of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, there is a reduction in the cost for adults of 2%, going from $ 1,140 to $ 1,120, but the price of $ 750 for petitions under 14 years would be increased 49%, in order to unify the price.
USCIS has the permission to increase its costs every two years, which occurred in 2016, so in 2018, this newspaper questioned about possible increases, a matter that has been under evaluation since then, according to a spokeswoman for the agency.
“Currently, the USCIS is conducting its biennial rate review, as stipulated in the CFOs Act of 1990, to study the agency’s revenues, costs and needs,” he said at the time.
Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli has defended the increases recently made by his office, such as the “premium service” for work visa requests, noting that 96% of the budget of the agency under his charge depends on the payment of applicants. .
“USCIS is required to examine inbound and outbound expenses, just like a business, and make adjustments based on that analysis. This proposed adjustment in rates would guarantee that more applicants cover the real cost of their applications and minimize the subsidies of an overloaded system, ”justified Cuccinelli.
Some of the proposed changes are:
- I-90, to replace Permanent Resident Card from $ 455 to $ 415, a reduction of 9%
- I-102, Application for Replacement / Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival Document from $ 445 to $ 490, an increase of 10%
- I-212, Application for Permission to reapply for admission to the United States after Deportation or Removal from $ 930 to $ 1,040, an increase of 12%
- I-539, Application to Extend / Change Nonimmigrant Status from $ 370 to $ 400, an increase of 8%
- I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions of Permanent Residence (couples) $ 595 to $ 760, 28% increase
- I-765, Application for Employment Authorization from $ 410 to $ 490, a 20% advance
- I-929, Petition to Qualify as a Family Member for a U-1 Nonimmigrant Visa from $ 230 to $ 1,515, an increase of 559%
Other increases include a $ 50 fee for asylum applications and increased DACA renewal.
On November 14, the proposal was published in the Public Registry for comments.
