CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC & NEW USCIS FEES
Welcome back Everyone! Some housekeeping matters, kindly wear a N95 or N99 mask while in public during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Wash hands often with soap and water for 20-40 seconds, and in the absence of soap and water, Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. I am of the opinion, that the Coronavirus is airborne and not just transmitted person to person, so protect yourself and your family accordingly with information from the CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO, WOrld Health Organization.
In other business, the USCIS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will be raising their fees effective FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2020. On July 31, 2020, The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS announced a final rule raising the fees for some immigration and naturalization benefit request, it is attempt to recoup the cost of cutting immigration numbers as seen by the Trump Administration, there are also some decreases as seen below.
The Final Rule has been published in the Federal Register and posted below. The document is 576 pages of information, I have made a summary of the information here blow, these are the major changes that affect Asylum Seekers, Asylees and Permanent Residents that obtain such status as a result of asylum.
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, USCIS FEE SCHEDULE AND CHANGES TO CERTAIN OTHER IMMIGRATION BENEFIT REQUEST REQUIREMENTS
- FORM I-131 - Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571 | Old Fee: $135.00 | New Fee: $145.00 | Change by $10.00 | 7% Increase
- FORM I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Old Fee: $1, 140.00 | New Fee: $1, 130.00| Change by -$10.00 |1% Decrease
- FORM I-589 - Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal | Old Fee: $0.00 | New Fee: $50.00
- FORM I-765 - Application for Employment Authorization (Non-DACA only) | Old Fee: $410.00 | New Fee: $550.00 | Change by $140.00 | Change by $140.00 | 34% Increase
- N-400 - Application for Naturalization (Online Filing) | Old Fee: $640.00 | New Fee: $1, 160.00 | Change by $520.00 | 81% Increase
- N-400 - Application for Naturalization (Paper Filing) | Old Fee: $640.00 | New Fee: $1, 170.00 | Change by $530.00 | 83% Increase
- Biometrics Services (Non-DACA Only)| Old Fee: 85.00 | New Fee: $30.00 | Change by -$55.00 | -$65.00 Decrease
- FORM I-90 - Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Online Filing) | Old Fee: $455.00 | New Fee: $405.00 | Change by $-$50.00 | -11% Decrease
- FORM I-90 - Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Paper Filing)| Old Fee: $455.00 | New Fee: $415.00 | Change by -$40.00 | -9% Decrease
***Please note, not all forms can be filed online, and the new changes will make some paper filings a few dollars more than online filing.
MAJOR IMPORTANT CHANGE TO NOTE:
The discontinuation of bundling of interim benefits when Form I-765 and Form I-131 are filed concurrently with pending FORM I-485 is pending. The Department of Homeland Security, DHS now requiring separate fees for FORMS I-765 and/or I-131 when filed concurrently with a Form I-485 or when a Form I-485 is pending.
The Recommendation Corner: If you have a pending Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, and you are an asylee, apply for a new U.S. Refugee Travel Document, Form I-571 before the new separate filing fees become the new law effective, Friday, October 02, 2020, you are welcome to apply for such a benefit if you are eligible.
Thank you very much for reading and be safe during this global coronavirus pandemic! 😷
The Final Rule regarding the Raised Fees are posted below:
REFERENCE COMPILATION:
Tennyson Watson-Joyner is a foreign born U.S. Permanent Resident, Works in Home Health Care Services, read for a Bachelors of Science Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a major in Travel, Tourism and Entertainment Management. I have successfully navigated the U.S. immigration system.
The information contained in "The United States Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)Asylee Travel Guide" is provided for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed are the authors alone and compiled information, for International Travel with a U.S. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571) , use links attached for visa free destinations as listed by the consulate of each country that offers the same to asylees and permanent residence whose was granted the same as a result of asylum. If you have a criminal record, Speak to an attorney-at-law prior to your departure.
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