USCIS announced that the agency has canceled a scheduled administrative furlough of more than 70% of their workforce, around 13,000 employees! The USCIS furlough was scheduled to begin August 30th, but because of spending cuts and a steady increase in daily revenue they claim they are now solvent enough to finish the fiscal year with their workforce.
Review the USCIS News Release, “USCIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce” for more details!
Source of Information:
On Friday, August 21, many committee leaders from the House and Senate have sent a bicameral, bipartisan letter to Acting DHS Secretary Wolf and USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Edlow! The Letter requests a delay of the possible USCIS furloughs at least into the beginning of FY2021 and Congress has time to act on new budget funding.
Letter to Acting DHS Secretary Wolf and USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Edlow
Source of Information:
The USCIS has announced that they need more than 500 million dollars to fill a budget gap! They claim that the budget problems were caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, others say it is a mixture of mismanagement and the Pandemic. USCIS management has notified 13,400 or their 20,000 employees that they will be furlough by the end of the month, August 31st.
Doug Rand, Senior Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists (Immigration Policy) stated, “It’s hard to overstate how bad this would be. USCIS would be operating with a skeleton crew, and our legal immigration system would grind to a halt.”
Review the Forbes News Article, USCIS Staff Furloughs Will Grind Legal Immigration To A Halt for more details!
The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.
With national immigration policy being discussed, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; New Jersey, New Mexico and New York!
The AIC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. As our economy continues to grow, Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. As United States economic continues to grow, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.
When former President George W. Bush (43) left office after two terms, one hobby he continued was painting and has become an enjoyed amateur artist. President Bush is releasing a book of 43 portraits of different immigrants that he has painted. This book will be released next March as part of an exhibition on the value of American immigration at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, this exhibit will feature the his original paintings. Bush stated in the book’s introduction, “My hope is that this book will help focus our collective attention on the positive impacts that immigrants are making on our country,” The book is entitled, “OUT OF MANY, ONE”.
Link to some of former President George W. Bush paintings
Source of Information:
USCIS has raised its immigration filing fees effective October 2, 2020. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after October 2, 2020, must include these new fees. Please note that USCIS will reject your submission if the fees are not correct!
New USCIS’ fees effective October 2, 2020:
| Immigration Benefit Request | Current Fee | Final Fee | Change ($) | Change (%) |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) | $455 | $405 | ($50) | -11 |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) | $455 | $415 | ($40) | -9 |
| I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | $445 | $485 | $40 | 9 |
| I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant worker | $460 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| I-129CW, I-129E&TN, and I-129MISC | $460 | $695 | $235 | 51 |
| I-129H1 | $460 | $555 | $95 | 21 |
| I-129H2A – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $850 | $390 | 85 |
| I-129H2B – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $715 | $255 | 55 |
| I-129L | $460 | $805 | $345 | 75 |
| I-129O | $460 | $705 | $245 | 53 |
| I-129H2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $415 | ($45) | -10 |
| I-129H2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $385 | ($75) | -16 |
| I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $535 | $510 | ($25) | -5 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing) | $535 | $550 | $15 | 3 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing) | $535 | $560 | $25 | 5 |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document | $575 | $590 | $15 | 3 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $135 | $145 | $10 | 7 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 | $105 | $115 | $10 | 10 |
| I-131A Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) | $575 | $1,010 | $435 | 76 |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $700 | $555 | ($145) | -21 |
| I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) | $930 | $790 | ($140) | -15 |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP) | $585 | $1,400 | $815 | 139 |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (USCIS) | $930 | $1,400 | $470 | 51 |
| I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | $585 | $2,790 | $2,205 | 377 |
| I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | $930 | $1,050 | $120 | 13 |
| I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion | $675 | $700 | $25 | 4 |
| I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | $435 | $450 | $15 | 3 |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence | $1,140 | $1,130 | ($10) | -1 |
| I-485 Application to Adjust Status | $750 | $1,130 | $380 | 51 |
| I-526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor | $3,675 | $4,010 | $335 | 9 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) | $370 | $390 | $20 | 5 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) | $370 | $400 | $30 | 8 |
| I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal | $0 | $50 | $50 | N/A |
| I-600/600A Adoption Petitions and Applications | $775 | $805 | $30 | 4 |
| I-600A Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A | N/A | $400 | N/A | N/A |
| I-601 Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability | $930 | $1,010 | $80 | 9 |
| I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | $630 | $960 | $330 | 52 |
| I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $930 | $515 | ($415) | -45 |
| I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident | $1,130 | $1,130 | $0 | 0 |
| I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $715 | $765 | $50 | 7 |
| I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision | $890 | $715 | ($175) | -20 |
| I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | $1,670 | $1,615 | ($55) | -3 |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | $595 | $760 | $165 | 28 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (Non-DACA) | $410 | $550 | $140 | 34 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (DACA only) | $410 | $410 | $0 | 0 |
| I-800/800A Adoption Petitions and Applications | $775 | $805 | $30 | 4 |
| I-800A Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | $385 | $400 | $15 | 4 |
| I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits | $600 | $590 | ($10) | -2 |
| I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $465 | $495 | $30 | 6 |
| I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions | $3,750 | $3,900 | $150 | 4 |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation | $285 | $1,810 | $1,525 | 535 |
| I-881 Application for Special Rule Cancellation of Removal | $570 | $1,810 | $1,240 | 218 |
| I-910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | $785 | $635 | ($150) | -19 |
| I-924 Application For Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program | $17,795 | $17,795 | $0 | 0 |
| I-924A Annual Certification of Regional Center | $3,035 | $4,465 | $1,430 | 47 |
| I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigran | $230 | $1,485 | $1,255 | 546 |
| N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention | $270 | $1,305 | $1,035 | 383 |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (online filing) | $700 | $1,725 | $1,025 | 146 |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (paper filing) | $700 | $1,735 | $1,035 | 148 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) | $640 | $1,160 | $520 | 81 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $640 | $1,170 | $530 | 83 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $320 | $1,170 | $850 | 266 |
| N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | $355 | $1,585 | $1,230 | 346 |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (online filing) | $555 | $535 | ($20) | -4 |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (paper filing) | $555 | $545 | ($10) | -2 |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (online filing) | $1,170 | $990 | ($180) | -15 |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,000 | ($170) | -15 |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (online filing) | $1,170 | $935 | ($235) | -20 |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (paper filing) | $1,170 | $945 | ($225) | -19 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | $190 | ($30) | -14 |
| Biometric Services (Non-DACA) | $85 | $30 | ($55) | -65 |
| Biometric Services (DACA only) | $85 | $85 | $0 | 0 |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (online filing) | $65 | $160 | $95 | 146 |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (paper filing) | $65 | $170 | $105 | 162 |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (online filing) | $65 | $255 | $190 | 292 |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (paper filing) | $65 | $265 | $200 | 308 |
Source of Information:
USCIS, 7/31/20, News Release:
USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
USCIS has raised its immigration filing fees effective October 2, 2020. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after October 2, 2020, must include these new fees. Please note that USCIS will reject your submission if the fees are not correct!
New USCIS’ fees effective October 2, 2020:
| Immigration Benefit Request | Current Fee | Final Fee | Change ($) | Change (%) |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) | $455 | $405 | ($50) | -11 |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) | $455 | $415 | ($40) | -9 |
| I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | $445 | $485 | $40 | 9 |
| I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant worker | $460 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| I-129CW, I-129E&TN, and I-129MISC | $460 | $695 | $235 | 51 |
| I-129H1 | $460 | $555 | $95 | 21 |
| I-129H2A – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $850 | $390 | 85 |
| I-129H2B – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $715 | $255 | 55 |
| I-129L | $460 | $805 | $345 | 75 |
| I-129O | $460 | $705 | $245 | 53 |
| I-129H2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $415 | ($45) | -10 |
| I-129H2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $385 | ($75) | -16 |
| I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $535 | $510 | ($25) | -5 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing) | $535 | $550 | $15 | 3 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing) | $535 | $560 | $25 | 5 |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document | $575 | $590 | $15 | 3 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $135 | $145 | $10 | 7 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 | $105 | $115 | $10 | 10 |
| I-131A Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) | $575 | $1,010 | $435 | 76 |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $700 | $555 | ($145) | -21 |
| I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) | $930 | $790 | ($140) | -15 |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP) | $585 | $1,400 | $815 | 139 |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (USCIS) | $930 | $1,400 | $470 | 51 |
| I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | $585 | $2,790 | $2,205 | 377 |
| I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | $930 | $1,050 | $120 | 13 |
| I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion | $675 | $700 | $25 | 4 |
| I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | $435 | $450 | $15 | 3 |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence | $1,140 | $1,130 | ($10) | -1 |
| I-485 Application to Adjust Status | $750 | $1,130 | $380 | 51 |
| I-526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor | $3,675 | $4,010 | $335 | 9 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) | $370 | $390 | $20 | 5 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) | $370 | $400 | $30 | 8 |
| I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal | $0 | $50 | $50 | N/A |
| I-600/600A Adoption Petitions and Applications | $775 | $805 | $30 | 4 |
| I-600A Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A | N/A | $400 | N/A | N/A |
| I-601 Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability | $930 | $1,010 | $80 | 9 |
| I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | $630 | $960 | $330 | 52 |
| I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $930 | $515 | ($415) | -45 |
| I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident | $1,130 | $1,130 | $0 | 0 |
| I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $715 | $765 | $50 | 7 |
| I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision | $890 | $715 | ($175) | -20 |
| I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | $1,670 | $1,615 | ($55) | -3 |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | $595 | $760 | $165 | 28 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (Non-DACA) | $410 | $550 | $140 | 34 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (DACA only) | $410 | $410 | $0 | 0 |
| I-800/800A Adoption Petitions and Applications | $775 | $805 | $30 | 4 |
| I-800A Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | $385 | $400 | $15 | 4 |
| I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits | $600 | $590 | ($10) | -2 |
| I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $465 | $495 | $30 | 6 |
| I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions | $3,750 | $3,900 | $150 | 4 |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation | $285 | $1,810 | $1,525 | 535 |
| I-881 Application for Special Rule Cancellation of Removal | $570 | $1,810 | $1,240 | 218 |
| I-910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | $785 | $635 | ($150) | -19 |
| I-924 Application For Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program | $17,795 | $17,795 | $0 | 0 |
| I-924A Annual Certification of Regional Center | $3,035 | $4,465 | $1,430 | 47 |
| I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigran | $230 | $1,485 | $1,255 | 546 |
| N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention | $270 | $1,305 | $1,035 | 383 |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (online filing) | $700 | $1,725 | $1,025 | 146 |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (paper filing) | $700 | $1,735 | $1,035 | 148 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) | $640 | $1,160 | $520 | 81 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $640 | $1,170 | $530 | 83 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $320 | $1,170 | $850 | 266 |
| N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | $355 | $1,585 | $1,230 | 346 |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (online filing) | $555 | $535 | ($20) | -4 |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (paper filing) | $555 | $545 | ($10) | -2 |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (online filing) | $1,170 | $990 | ($180) | -15 |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,000 | ($170) | -15 |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (online filing) | $1,170 | $935 | ($235) | -20 |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (paper filing) | $1,170 | $945 | ($225) | -19 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | $190 | ($30) | -14 |
| Biometric Services (Non-DACA) | $85 | $30 | ($55) | -65 |
| Biometric Services (DACA only) | $85 | $85 | $0 | 0 |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (online filing) | $65 | $160 | $95 | 146 |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (paper filing) | $65 | $170 | $105 | 162 |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (online filing) | $65 | $255 | $190 | 292 |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (paper filing) | $65 | $265 | $200 | 308 |
Source of Information:
USCIS, 7/31/20, News Release:
USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
List of some of the Top News Stories related to USCIS fee Increases:
Forbes, 8/3/20:
New USCIS Immigration Fees Hit Businesses, Citizens And Students
On Friday, July 31, 2020, DHS released their final rule on the changes to the USCIS fee schedule. Most of the USCIS fee changes are increases and for the first time a $50 fee for some Asylum seekers. These fees changes will take effect on Friday, October 2nd.
Link to the Final Rule on the USCIS fee changes, includes the new fee charts: Final Rule
Please visit the USCIS news release for more detailed information: USCIS Adjusts Fees to Help Meet Operational Needs
The American Immigration Council (AIC) has released all fifty states and the District of Columbia, for a total of fifty-one updated state-by-state fact sheets highlighting immigration data and facts. These fact sheets highlight the demographic and economic impact of Immigrants in each state.
With national immigration policy being discussed, we thought that it would be a good time to provide some statistics on the Immigrant population in the United States as provided by this AIC research. Once a week we will be posting a blog with information on three states at a time. This week we will highlight; Nebraska, Nevada and New Hampshire!
The AIC has compiled research which shows that Immigrants are an essential part of each of these states’ economy, labor force and tax base. As our economy continues to grow, Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers and entrepreneurs. As United States economic continues to grow, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of each of these states.
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