Citizenship Hike

From USA Today:

"Immigrants rush to apply for citizenship before fee hike"

Immigrants are rushing to fill out citizenship applications before the federal government raises fees next week. On Dec. 23, the Department of Homeland Security will increase application fees to apply for citizenship, renew a green card or have a family member immigrate to the United States. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the only agency within the DHS that is not funded by taxpayer dollars, says the fee increases are vital to keeping the agency afloat and cover the costs of refugees who cannot afford to pay the fees. “We are mindful of the effect fee increases have on many of the customers we serve,” said USCIS Director León Rodríguez. “That’s why we decided against raising fees as recommended after the fiscal year 2012 and 2014 fee reviews. However, as an agency dependent upon users’ fees to operate, these changes are now necessary to ensure we can continue to serve our customers effectively.”  The changes include increased costs for dozens of immigration forms. For example, I-765, which gives eligible immigrants a one-year work permit, will jump from $380 to $410. The I-130 form, which is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who want to bring their family members into the country, will increase from $420 to $535. The fee increases also apply to waivers undocumented immigrants for to legitimize their status by leaving the country and re-entering legally. The I-160A form, which requests a waiver for an undocumented immigrant’s unlawful presence in the country, will increase from $585 to $630. The I-160 from, which asks for a waiver of unlawful entry and other crimes committed by undocumented immigrants who are now living outside the country, will increase from $585 to $930. Those prices may be too much for undocumented immigrants who want to correct their immigration status, said Analuisa Padilla, President-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

^ I know many foreigners who either have had to pay for an American visa, Green Card or American Citizenship and these price hikes will hurt them a lot. I don't understand why undocumented (ie illegal) immigrants have to pay for anything. They should be deported back to their home country since they entered the US illegally. ^

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/15/immigrants-rush-apply-citizenship-before-fee-hike/95479990/