Immigrants in California come from a variety of backgrounds and different countries. Every immigrant has a story as to why they want to be a citizen of the U.S. Since its beginning, the U.S. has welcomed immigrants, but a recent change in charges to get citizenship is causing alarm among the immigrant community.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a large increase in the cost of U.S. citizenship. The fee to apply for citizenship through naturalization will increase on Oct. 2 from $640 to $1160 if filed online. Charges will also go up for other immigration forms, including but not limited to Form I-765, Form I-751. Some of the fees will be going up close to 80%.
The U.S. will also charge a $50 fee for those who are seeking asylum, making the U.S. one of only four countries in the world to charge a fee for asylum. File your applications before October 2, 2020 to avoid fee increase.
Many immigrants may feel like they have an uphill battle now due to the financial costs. Many changes to the immigration process have occurred recently which can make the process even more confusing. A legal professional who is skilled in immigration law can help you through this complicated process. They can fight on your behalf to overcome barriers to naturalization or asylum. An attorney understands that living in America is a privilege, and they will work hard to help you take advantage of this opportunity.
