Prices of immigration services rise

By Chris Burch
Staff Reporter

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (I.N.S.) has increased its fees for the majority of I.N.S. applications and petitioners, as well as for fingerprint services. Persons seeking citizenship must include the new fee $185, otherwise I.N.S. will reject and return application/petition without processing.

The new rates took effect Feb. 19.

I.N.S. recognizes that the new fee may pose a hardship for some individuals, like Yoselin Taveras, who has held a green card for more than 25 years.

“It’s unfair for us (Dominicans) and Mexicans,” Ms. Taveras said. “Most Dominicans and Mexicans enter the United States illegally and since a lot of us do not have legal documents we are forced to work for below minimum wage. We get jobs that pay $4.00 per hour and the money is paid in cash.”

Ms. Taverez is a wife and mother of three. Since coming to the United States, she has lived most of her 25 years in Washington Heights, although she and her family have lived in Hackensack, N.J. for the last three years.

In cases where an individual is unable to pay the fee, I.N.S. may grant a fee waiver. A skeptical Mrs. Taverez stated, “Not everyone will get waivered by I.N.S.”

Michael Euboren is from Nigeria, Africa, although he has lived in the U.S. for 22 years. “If someone wants to come to the U.S. then they should pay,” he said. “America is a beautiful country, that is why people want to come here.” Mr. Euberon served in the U.S. Army, although he does not have a green card. His status is resident Alien. “

I am pro-authority and I always abide with given instructions to the letter,” Mr. Euboren continued. “I think people who may have a problem with the increase have family and friends outside the U.S. They may feel like they’re being penalized for the 9/11 disaster. The belief could be that is one of the ways the U.S. government has taken precautions is by discouraging people to enter the U.S. with raised immigration fees.”

Beatrice Benon, a Harlem resident, agrees with Mr. Euboren. “If you want to be here in the U.S., then you should pay the price.” Mrs. Benon was born in the Ivory Coast in West Africa. She has been in the U.S. for four years and holds a green card. “You have to think that prices on everything go up and that includes immigration fees. How are you going to fight the system?”

I.N.S. officials say the average fee increase of $20 per application or petition adjusts for inflation and covers the cost of infrastructure improvements not included in the current fees.