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Immigrating to U.S. becomes much costlier - Many fees to skyrocket by end of the month — $1,010 for a green card

Telemundo and MSNBC.com
Updated: 2 hours, 55 minutes ago.

Immigrants could end up paying thousands of dollars more to enter and stay in the country after July 30, when dozens of application fees will double or even triple, sparking opposition from a broad coalition of activists and a rush by immigrants to submit their paperwork before the little-publicized changes take effect.

Altogether, 39 fees will rise an average of 66 percent, but some of the largest increases will come in charges for the most basic documents immigrants must seek. Most notably, the fee to apply for a green card, establishing legal residence in the United States, will almost triple, from $395 to $1,010.

Applying for citizenship will rise from $400 to $675. It cost $90 as recently as 1991.

The increases are expected to raise an extra $1.1 billion a year for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, which is required to cover its costs with the fees it collects from the hundreds of thousands of foreigners who seek residency and citizenship each year.

Simply put, “we need the money,” USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez said. “To do nothing is to invite organizational disaster, because we are just not covering the cost of doing business.”

Heavy burden on poorer immigrants
But immigration activists said the higher fees would be a permanent obstacle for many immigrants, many of whom take minimum-wage day labor jobs paying $5.15 an hour. They calculated that a worker would have to save every penny he or she earned for five weeks just to apply for a green card.

The National Association of Latino Elected Officials said it “strongly condemns” the higher fees, which it said will “put the dream of U.S. citizenship beyond the reach of many of our nation’s newcomers.” It urged all eligible legal residents to apply for naturalization before July 30.

“The USCIS does need to make major investments to enhance the delivery of its services, and it does face serious fiscal challenges,” the association said in a statement. “However, placing the full costs of these investments on the back of hardworking newcomers is driving fees to a level that immigrants simply cannot afford.”

Some Democrats in Congress pressured USCIS to abandon the increases. They said much of the agency’s budget pays for enforcement, which legal applicants should not be responsible for.

Sen. Barack Obama and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, both D-Ill., have introduced legislation to lessen the burden by shifting funding from USCIS fees to the federal budget, while Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., sent a letter to President Bush calling for a fairer system.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, border security and citizenship, criticized the hefty fee hikes when they were first proposed in January, saying they would “price the American dream out of reach for qualified immigrants” seeking to become citizens.

Opposition from variety of sources
The new fee schedule also drew opposition from a spectrum of groups representing business, education and the arts.

Business groups, led by the trucking industry, criticized higher fees for waivers allowing foreigners with criminal records into the country on business. The new fee, $545, will sharply raise costs for commercial cross-border trucking and shipping, they said, costs that would inevitably be passed on to consumers.

International students applying for a practical training or employment authorization form will pay $340, nearly double the $180 they pay now. Fees for several other documents important to international students will also rise by $100 or more, including applications for non-immigrant arrival and departure records, petitions for non-immigrant workers and applications for extended stays as a non-immigrant.

The American Arts Alliance, meanwhile, complained that higher fees would make it harder for artists, especially those affiliated with nonprofit enterprises, to travel to American audiences.

“Delays and unpredictability in visa processing have made it increasingly difficult for international artists to appear in the United States,” the alliance said.

Immigrants rush to file papers
As awareness of the new fees courses through immigrant communities, tens of thousands were streaming to local immigration offices to avoid the surcharges.

Immigration activists in Miami opened Centro de Orientación dell Inmigrante, a temporary service, to help speed applicants through the process before July 30. Telemundo affiliate WSCV-TV reported that organizers hoped to secure funding from national immigration groups to make the center permanent.

In Union City, N.J., Mayor Brian Stack and city commissioners scheduled a “citizenship drive” for Saturday to help residents complete their forms in time. Meanwhile, the surge in applications spurred USCIS to temporarily transfer 32 workers to Los Angeles to help handle the load.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19874211/

By goin_south on Jul 20, 2007, 19:45 in Friendly Talkzone.

goin_south says on Jul 20, 2007, 19:48:

I know there was a thread about this topic a month or so ago. But, this one appears to be hot-off-de-press. So, I thought it was worthy of print here those who are pinchin pennies and ESPECIALLY FOR VUP and His Valledupanitas, who you can clearly see are 'colombian trailer park trash' (don't you agree, Desi?) and not worth the money it is going to take to get the life done in EEUU, so very soon.

Jus tell em to Forget about THE DREAM, Vup.

Where do we go from here?

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bueno_pues says on Jul 20, 2007, 19:55:

Your tax dollars at work. NOT! Meanwhile they're spending billions on a war nobody wants except Cheney and his pet monkey.

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miamimike says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:33:

The Head of Immigration was on local Miami TV explaining the reasons for the price hikes for different services. In the past, US Taxpayers supported almost the total cost for the services the government provided and now he explained he wants the Department to become more self sufficient and make those using the services to pay more. Same thing happened with the US Coast Guard years back; when I was in the CG, any Tom, Dick or harry who owned a Boat thought they were entitled to Free TOW Services when they ran out of gas or broke down. The cost was entirely picked up by the rest of us Taxpayers, 99.9% of whom don't own a Boat!. Now call the CG for a Tow, they send a private local Tow company and you pay them, just like when your Car breaks down.. Same for the various immigration services, those using the system should pay, not fair for the rest of us to pick up the Bill. That's the American way Folks,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:34:

Esto me huele a tumbe,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:40:

Even though I am going to likely get bitten by the increases,...not a real big deal, however... I tend to agree miamimike.

(And, this might stir a small riot, but it will keep out the trailer park trash people of the world, .... so then we can move more towards the ELITE SOCIETY ;) ....Yeah, right)

Where do we go from here?

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scotty says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:41:

bueno pues, if you are unhappy now boy are you really gonna be pissed because this whole middle eastern, terrorist, war thing is just now getting started. wait till we hit Iran, wait till the oil stops and its $10 a gallon of gas, this is only the beginning. worse yet wait untill the libs are in control of the White House and congress at the same time. this is only the beginning, its gonna get a whole lot worse and there will be plenty of blame to go around for everyone.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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goin_south says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:46:

eight more years, .... scotty. no preocupado, por favor.

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:47:

10$ / gal... we'll all be joining Rubito and all the rest of the Bike Riders del Mundo.

Where do we go from here?

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miamimike says on Jul 20, 2007, 20:49:

Hey Scotty, I have Oil Stocks in my Mutual Funds(I had a banner week this week when the Dow hit 14,000)- as Bush uttered "Bring it on" $10 Gas Prices,the Stock just keeps going up. Myself, I ride a Bike, own a small scooter 50cc that gets 60 mpg,Take public Buses, drive a VW Diesel car that hits 50 mpg on the road. Bring it on, HIGH Fuel Prices! I will agree though, that Deficit we are in as a result of the Iraq War($2 billion weekly cost) will take Generations to dig out of; hard to believe we had a Nice Budget Surplus in 2000 and look at us now,,,Sad,,,BTW that Nice Budget Surplus occurred Bill Clinton,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 00:16:

JUNGLESOUP!

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 00:19:

You'll be blowin farts, trying to catch me,.........when I pass your a**, peddling up de hill to Monserrate ;;)))

Where do we go from here?

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scotty says on Jul 21, 2007, 02:37:

man you could be right we could end up posting on here eating crow and asking Rubito where to buy a bu ike. gog i hope i dont have to park my fast kittlle car and buy a buke and have rubiti tell me "i tild you so:

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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scotty says on Jul 21, 2007, 02:39:

gas prices are crazy arent they, its a big surprise everyday. first i read about Norway paying $9.00 dollars a a gallon. just one week ago it was $3.16 a gallon, but today i went to the same gas station and it was only $2.67 a gallon. go figure?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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snake says on Jul 21, 2007, 06:56:

miamimike is dead-on. user fees are preferable in this situation to general revenue. additionally, in a small way it also helps to weed out undesirables we don't want here anyway. i say they should quadruple the fees from where they were just set. being able to pay is some indication that they are capable of making it here. those who whine about the fees can leave or better yet never come here to begin with. lol

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bueno_pues says on Jul 21, 2007, 07:25:

If it's such a threat how come you're not over there, Scotty? As for the libs, in 2008 they're taking control of the White House and even greater control of Congress. I absolutely hate and despise Hilary but if she's the Democratic nominee I'm voting for her. Many people feel likewise. We've had it with this fascist regime.

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 07:48:

BP-Esto Me Huele a Tumbe

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 08:00:

Scotty--there's a reason behind Norway's madness and its high oil prices. Norway wiesely developed a fund years ago to plan(unlike us in the usa) for the day when they have sufficient oil resources and part of these high prices go into a National fund to transition the country from Oil into a another form of energy to make up for future lost oil revenues. Smart Planning, sadly we don't try the same here but we never proact only react in the USA.
Norway's Petro Fund:
http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1413&fuseaction=topics....

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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bueno_pues says on Jul 21, 2007, 08:02:

Forty five per cent of the American people want Bush impeached and 54% want Cheney impeached. Those numbers are sure to rise. Maybe we can have them tried as war criminals.

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 08:02:

Should read,,,Norway "Wisely",,,,,When they "do not" have sufficient oil resources,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 09:05:

increasing the fees won't stop too many people; if they want in, they will find a way to get el dinero.

Where do we go from here?

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 09:46:

I'm always amazed to hear in the current US Immigraqtion debate those Illegal Aliens(not undocumented immigrants -an impossibility as immigrants are legal, have staus and are documented btw) will not be able to afford the New Fees ect yet on the other hand, send Remittances of $200-$500 monthly back to their counries of Origin. Wads of Money to send home but unwilling to pay here for the services,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 10:03:

ditto, miamimke.

Where do we go from here?

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snake says on Jul 21, 2007, 10:41:

"Oh, and all I gotta say is, keep it up US government, keep cockblocking good people from coming into the country. Soon we will be dependent on the MORONS who are graduating from US public schools to run things here, won't that be a pretty kettle of fish?"

judging from the mediocrity of your posts, you don't appear to be that much better educated than those you speak of....but then then again maybe you're more impressive in person. lol

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BAQ says on Jul 21, 2007, 14:09:

Only thing that pisses me off is that as a U.S. citizen, born and raised, I will have to pay THOUSANDS of $$$$ if in the future, I choose to return to the U.S. with my NON U.S. CITIZEN WIFE.

As a war vet I deeply resent having to DOUBLE PAY for the FREEDOM I fought for, in my case, part of that FREEDOM being able to bring my wife to the United States.

Semper Fidelis !

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 14:57:

Vup, you are spot on about Jeb Bush's Wife AND she was caught smuggling the Jewels Throuth the Atlanta Airport, btw, she was fined $4000 for her transgresion.One thing though, Jeb's Wife is from Mexico,,,

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 15:01:

some jail time would likely do you some good, Vup ;)

Where do we go from here?

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 15:44:

Sure we would have went to the Slammer-she got away with it because she was Jeb's Wife. Interesting, I wasn't aware of the fact she has a lot Venezuelan reletives-that has never been publicized here in the Miami News and she has been in the Miami News frequently but you only hear about her Mexican ties.. You know her Oldest Son campaigns in Mexico for Republican Candidates, as he did for his Uncle "W" in 2004. They send him to campaign there because the Greater Guadalajara Mexico has the largest Number of American Expats in the Americas

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 15:48:

VUP--Wikipedia.com says Jeb's Wife was born in Guanajuato, Mexico,,,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba_Bush

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 15:49:

Lets try again on that Wikipedia link, Wish we had a Edit Function here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba_Bush

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 15:54:

Another area of her life(columba Bush) which for whatever reason or another, was never well publicized: "Bush's(jeb) relationship with her mother was the subject of a brief profile in the book Mamá: Latina Daughters Celebrate Their Mothers by Maria Perez-Brown (ISBN 0-06-008386-7). Her parents divorced in 1963." Jerry Springer, here we come!
Jeb's 3 Kids are all Jerry Springer material also as they have been arrested for Heavy Drug use, Fighting and punching a Policeman, Stalking ect,,,what a crew this family is!

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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miamimike says on Jul 21, 2007, 18:28:

Vup---Bingo---Spot on!

My Avatar-- Sarah Palin Says " "You know the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?? Lipstick!" Now on a Short Verbal Tether by the Honorable John McCain

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goin_south says on Jul 21, 2007, 19:14:

Welcome Back, to the Land of Opportunity, Greed, Accountability, and Corruption, Vup.
..................................El Mundo este un Ghetto Muy Bravo........................................

Where do we go from here?

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 23, 2007, 22:44:

"A nation of homeless and warmongers". Hmm ... Right now the unemployment rate is at a near historical low and home ownership is at a historical high. So, I think calling the US a nation of homeless is slightly inaccurate. "A nation of war mongers." Not even worthy of a response. I am not a GW fan, but calling him "Hitler" is absolutely stupid. It makes you sound like a patchouli wearing, hippie wanna-be, 6th year undergrad college student. Judging by the writing of your post though, you are correct on one point: The US needs a better educational system. You didn't even obtain simple typing and grammar skills. Even a monkey can be trained to use a spell check.

VUP, you said only 3rd world people want to come to the US. My dad is a first generation immigrant from the 3rd world country of Germany. I am sure he would love to hear your little lecture. But that's not the point. I would consider your (add adjective) comment insulting and condescending to any immigrant in the US.

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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bueno_pues says on Jul 24, 2007, 06:04:

Los imigrantes vienen a los EEUU para una razon: DINERO! Ahora hay mucho menos ilegales desde Mexico por que la economia va mal. Es el fin, gracia a dios.

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