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Houston: US immigrants will have to pay more while applying for citizenship, legal residency and other immigration services after April 30 to help fund the increased security measures in post 9/11 America.
Special: US immigrants still feel the pinch of the 9/11 incident
"The fee increases will be used to help reduce the backlog of applications and help pay for increased security measures implemented after the September 11 terrorist attacks," officials of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCIS) said.
"The agency is committed to delivering immigration services and benefits in a compassionate, effective and secure manner," Director of UCIS Eduardo Aguirre said in a written statement.
"The new fee structure will allow us to enhance service without compromising our commitment to national security."
Immigrants will now be required to pay USD 320 to apply for citizenship -- instead of USD 260, which is a USD 60 increase. Residency or green card application fees will rise to USD 315. Work permits will cost USD 175.
Overall fee increase averages about USD 55. For example, if an immigrant loses his or her permanent resident card, it now costs USD 130 to replace it. But after April 30, it will cost USD 185.
The increase is the fifth since 1989, when immigrants paid USD 60 to apply for a green card or citizenship. Since 1989, the immigration fees have quadrupled, according to the agency's figures. To apply for residency, immigrants paid USD 60 in 1989. Now it costs USD 255. After April 30, it will cost USD 315.
Special: US immigrants still feel the pinch of the 9/11 incident
"The fee increases will be used to help reduce the backlog of applications and help pay for increased security measures implemented after the September 11 terrorist attacks," officials of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCIS) said.
"The agency is committed to delivering immigration services and benefits in a compassionate, effective and secure manner," Director of UCIS Eduardo Aguirre said in a written statement.
"The new fee structure will allow us to enhance service without compromising our commitment to national security."
Immigrants will now be required to pay USD 320 to apply for citizenship -- instead of USD 260, which is a USD 60 increase. Residency or green card application fees will rise to USD 315. Work permits will cost USD 175.
Overall fee increase averages about USD 55. For example, if an immigrant loses his or her permanent resident card, it now costs USD 130 to replace it. But after April 30, it will cost USD 185.
The increase is the fifth since 1989, when immigrants paid USD 60 to apply for a green card or citizenship. Since 1989, the immigration fees have quadrupled, according to the agency's figures. To apply for residency, immigrants paid USD 60 in 1989. Now it costs USD 255. After April 30, it will cost USD 315.