United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducted a comprehensive biennial review of its current fee schedule and determined that it is not enough to cover the full costs of processing, administering and adjudicating many immigration and naturalization benefits. To make up for the shortfall, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its proposal to increase its fee schedule by a “weighted average of 21%” and change the request requirements for some immigration and naturalization services and benefits on Thursday, November 14.
The deadline for eligible members of the public to submit their comments in favor of or against the proposed fee increases is Monday, December 16, 2019. Those who are eligible to submit comments must follow the specific instructions for submitting public comments. Those who are not eligible to submit comments should encourage their eligible family members, friends and neighbors to do so.
The proposed fee increase seems to have a rational basis and therefore, will likely be approved and in effect sometime in 2020. However, it might have the, possibly, unintended effect of placing most essential immigration services and benefits out of the reach of people of modest means. Those who are eligible for immigration and naturalization services and benefits should make every effort to avoid being casualties of the proposed fee schedule by acting before the effective date.
Take the first step towards achieving your immigration goals by contacting the Law Office of Eshigo P. Okasili, LLC to evaluate your case today. Attorney Eshigo Okasili has firsthand experience with immigration and is happy to speak with you at (301) 760-2066 or during a consultation at our Silver Spring office.
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