Jersey City and New York file joint lawsuit against increase in immigration fees

Jersey City is ready to join New York City in a lawsuit against an increase in immigration fees from $ 725 to $ 1200. This is reported on the website Hudson County View.

Jersey City authorities have expressed their willingness to join New York in a litigation against the increase in immigration fees, including the filing of applications for American citizenship. This was announced by the mayor of Jersey City Steven Fulop (Steven Fulop). “Last week, we applied to join New York in support of an injunction against the entry into force of new federal rules that will dramatically increase immigration fees,” Fulop said in a statement.

After examining data from recent Jersey City applicants, he said, it became clear that more than half of them would not be able to become citizens if the increase in fees took effect. “The current fee is $ 725 with the option to reduce or eliminate fees for very low income families. The new fees will amount to about $ 1200 for each application, ”the mayor said.

On the subject: White House prepares new immigration restrictions due to coronavirus: what you need to know

He also added that 41% of Jersey City residents were overseas-born and that naturalization rates are above average. “If citizenship becomes less available, Jersey City will lose. If it is more accessible, it will be better for us, ”he concluded.

On September 2, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - the agency responsible for the Immigration and Naturalization System - reminded that the new payment schedule, along with changes to other requests for immigration benefits, will take effect on October 2.

In response, a coalition of 19 state attorneys general, including New York City public attorney Letitia James, announced they would challenge the federal ruling.

As reported to the wound, at the end of July USCIS completes work on changing the structure of immigration fees... It was reported that the service of filing an application for obtaining US citizenship will rise in price by more than 80%, and applications for obtaining refugee status can only be submitted for money.

Historically, according to the Institute for Migration Policy, the majority of asylum seekers around the world are not subject to an application fee. But now, the US will join three countries - Australia, Fiji and Iran - that charge asylum fees.