From the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (https://cliniclegal.org/):
On Nov. 14, 2019, USCIS officially published its plans to raise fees to apply for naturalization and vital immigration benefits while slashing the availability of fee waivers.
USCIS’ proposed rule would:
- Drastically increase the cost of naturalization from $640 to $1,170 — this is a historic high and a staggering 83 percent increase.
- Establish an unprecedented, new $50 fee for affirmative asylum.
- Create a new fee for DACA renewals, raising the total cost from $495 to $765.
- Effectively end a long-standing fee waiver program that has kept naturalization, green card renewals and other benefits accessible.
- Transfer $207.6 million in funds that should be used for immigration and naturalization processing to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to use for enforcement.
In the past, USCIS provided 60 days for the submission of public comments on the fee review and proposed fee schedule. This administration has allowed only a 30-day comment period, which ends at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 16. That means we have a very short time to act by registering our opposition.
If finalized, these massive changes will transform access to naturalization, safety and stability for millions. It could extinguish the dreams of all but the most wealthy and privileged.
It is up to us to stand up now, together, and remind USCIS that we are a nation of immigrants. The American dream belongs to all of us, no matter how much money we have in our pockets.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN TAKE A STAND NOW:
Submit individual comments in opposition!
We invite members of the public to submit a comment through our “click-to-comment” tools, which can be easily shared on social media. We encourage agencies and organizations to share with their networks, volunteers and clients.
I oppose a wealth test on American citizenship!
*Note, you may submit more than one comment. CLINIC’s click-to-comment campaigns will close at 4 p.m. ET, Dec. 13.
Submit organizational comments in opposition!
For organizations, we recommend submitting a more substantive comment. Click here for our template comments and instructions. Use the resources on CLINIC’s fee fighters webpage to learn more and help you draft your comments.
*Note, the public comment period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 16.
Spread the word on social media!
With only 30 days to take a stand against the proposed rule, we need everyone to spread the word! Use CLINIC’s Fee Schedule Fighters Toolkit for sample social media, talking points and more.
Fee Schedule Fighter’s Toolkit
Take action in your communities and states!
For advocates working at the state and local level, CLINIC has prepared a toolkit that highlights the harm USCIS fee changes could have on states and their residents. The toolkit offers talking points for governors, mayors and other officials to use in developing comments in opposition. It also suggests actions local governments can take to stand in solidarity with impacted residents and to help them prepare for possible implementation.
Louis Ricou
I am strongly against this rule. Passing this rule would make it much harder for immigrants to start a living in this country. We are a country of immigrants, and we have historically generally had our arms open to others coming to make a life in this country. I hope you will consider all the people this would rule would doom, and don’t pass this rule.