What’s next after USCIS fee increase lockdown on all immigration procedures? | The NY Journal
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Naturalization ceremonies continue during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed the decision of federal judge Jeffrey White, of California, to suspend the increase in fees for all immigration procedures proposed by the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The new costs, some with increases of more than 500%, were to be implemented this Friday, October 2, but the immigration agency will not be able to do so, although an appeal is expected in the Ninth Circuit.
“As long as this preliminary injunction is enforced, USCIS cannot increase fees”Doug Rand, co-founder of Boundless Immigration told Forbes. “The government will rush to obtain a stay of the injunction from the Ninth Circuit, but it is not known how long it will take or what the result will be.”
However, the immigration agency indicated that it is reviewing the decision and would not comment on it.
“USCIS is reviewing the ruling on the fee rule and has no further comment at this time.”said the agency at the request of this newspaper.
Now, immigrants who wish to apply for Permanent residence, naturalization, Employment Authorization, among other immigration benefits, may do so with the current rates until further notice.
The lawyers noted that the rule imposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would have doubled or tripled the application fees for many essential immigration benefits.
“AILA applauds the Court’s expedited order to set aside USCIS ‘unprecedented attempt to dramatically increase rates ahead of the presidential elections,” the organization said in a statement.
The experts pointed out that Judge White identified that DHS did not have the authority to issue the rule, in addition to acknowledging that the President’s government Donald trump lobbied to raise rates “arbitrarily,” without considering plaintiffs’ concerns and thousands of comments to the contrary when it was published in the Federal Register.
“AILA is proud to join our litigation partners at Sidley Austin LLP in this important fight, supporting immigrants, their families, and communities across the United States they call home.”he pointed.
The group also called the decision a defeat for the “anti-immigrant policy” of the Trump Administration.
The organization of immigration lawyers was joined by the Legal Resource Center for Immigrants (ILRC) and other groups.
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