Immigration Fees To Increase After July 30th!

I always find it gratifying, when attending naturalization ceremonies, to witness the look of pride upon the faces of America’s newest citizens as they realize their dream. Often, these new Americans came to our shores for the same reasons that many of our own ancestors, including my own, came to our great country, for a better life. The path here is usually arduous, and for many, even after arriving, becoming a United States Citizen or even a permanent resident is a daunting process. However, the rewards of attaining US Citizenship is worth any price to the millions who seek to achieve it.
Nonetheless, that price is to increase, at least monetarily; therefore, those seeking to adjust their immigration status should try to do so prior to the proposed fee increases taking effect on July 30th. The application fee for citizenship and the fee for becoming a legal permanent resident are due to increase dramatically according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These increases are proposed in order to cover the costs of processing applications. As a result, USCIS expects to process applications 20 percent faster over the next three years.
Many who are deciding to adjust their status are likely to find the proposed fee increases a hardship, as such, applying prior to the increases taking effect on July 30th 2007, would seem like a wise choice. Becoming a citizen will also provide individuals with all the rights that every American enjoys, including ease of travel. One of the greatest rights American citizenship will afford is the right to vote. Living in a nation and being able to help decide its future, through the right to vote, is a privilege that makes all Americans equal, whether we are born a US Citizen or choose to become one. As Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, so accurately stated, "The only title in our democracy superior to that of President is the title of citizen."
Before my current position as Clarkstown Town Clerk, I had the great fortune of serving Congressman Engel as assistant for his Rockland District office. Most of my time there was spent helping Rockland residents navigate through the process of applying for citizenship, permanent residency and many other immigration applications. Even if you already have a green card or a naturalization certificate, I would strongly recommend that you take a good look around and make sure that you have not misplaced these important documents because the fee for replacing them will also increase dramatically after July 30th.