CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A federal judge will consider a challenge Friday to the federal government’s decision to sharply increase fees for citizenship applications.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is among immigration advocacy organizations challenging the 81 percent fee increase from $640 to nearly $1160. It is set to go into effect on Oct. 2, and many are now scrabbling to get paperwork submitted before the increase.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it would be vastly underfunded without the increase. The changes are also meant to “detect and deter immigration fraud, and thoroughly vet applicants, petitioners and beneficiaries,” the agency stated in a release.
“These overdue adjustments in fees are necessary to efficiently and fairly administer our nation’s lawful immigration system, secure the homeland and protect Americans,” said Joseph Edlow, USCIS deputy director, in a statement.
Advocacy organizations are not only suing to try to put a stop to the increase, they are also helping people navigate the system as the clock ticks towards the deadline.