Immigration hike...Do you care?

The Bush government wants the immigration fees to be increased almost by 86 percent and has not considered the low-income groups especially refugees how they will be hit by such a measure. As an immigrant writing on refugees, I wrote the story and numerous story chats and you view those here http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/NEWS/703260338/1001
have highlighted why America is the way it is. People just don't get it or are too disconnected to get it. They live in their cocoons and feel America is the land of milk and honey and all immigrants and refugees come here because they become free here and "melt in the pot".
If you just point out it is unjust system, they will quickly brand you as a communist, which I don't mind in the least. So ill-informed are these people that it actually makes me sad.
The article was published in Utica Observer-Dispatch March 26, 2007. I am copying the text for your perusal.

Region's new citizens face hike in fees

Refugee center protests increase

March 26, 2007
By CHINKI SINHA

UTICA — Refugees and immigrants in the region are rushing to apply for citizenship and green cards in advance of a planned 70 percent increase in immigration fees.
Many refugees will need to save a full month's pay to afford the proposed fee that would approach $1,000 in many cases, according to the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, which is protesting the increase.
The cash-strapped U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency says it has no choice but to raise the fees because the agency is spending far more than it takes in.
Zawning Win, a refugee from Myanmar (formerly Burma), who applied two weeks ago for his green card, said the increase is inconsiderate.
"It is so expensive. I don't know why they increase the fees," he said. "It is difficult for us to survive already."
Win has no medical insurance. With his income, it is often difficult to pay for rent, car insurance, telephone bills, water and food, he said.
Refugee center Executive Director Peter Vogelaar has sent letters to New York Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, as well as to U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica.
These letters convey the impact of the increase on refugees, many of whom work low-wage jobs.

'An economic necessity'

The federal government says the higher fees are needed because Citizenship and Immigration Services relies on fees for its budget.
"It is an economic necessity," agency spokesperson Shawn Saucier said. "We understand the hardships."
In 1988, Congress created a user fee account for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, making it a fee-based agency. Since then, the immigration benefit operation has no access to appropriated funds for its daily operations.
There was an increase of around 76 percent in immigration fees in 1998, Saucier said.
Those applying for citizenship can ask for a fee waiver, which depends on a number of factors including household income, number of dependents and the discretion of the officer, Saucier said.

Limited options

Vogelaar said the 70 percent increase will make it difficult for many refugees in the region to maintain a legal immigrant status.
A person working 40 hours a week and 20 days a month at the minimum wage makes barely more than $1,000. Because many refugees are not conversant in English, it is difficult for them to get other well-paying jobs.
Professor Nestor Rodriguez of the University of Houston said the proposed increase will more likely hit refugees and low-income immigrant groups who will have to resort to loan sharks to pay the fees.
"It may not be bad for people who have good jobs," said Rodriguez, who is also the director of the university's Center for Immigration Research.
"They may have to give up something like health care or food to pay," he said. "It is like tax — it will burden those who can afford it the least. There is a disconnect between the people who are raising the cost and the people who have to pay."

'Not able to vote'

About 15 percent of Utica's population consists of refugees from all over the world.
Refugees have contributed immensely to Utica's economy, Vogelaar said. But the increase is a detriment to refugees gaining citizenship and reaping benefits as taxpayers and citizens, he said.
"They can legally remain here, but their investment would never be realized," he said. "They are not able to vote."
In the last couple of months, Azira Tabucic, who works in the immigration department at the refugee center, has received an unusually high number of applications for citizenship and green cards.
Around 65 applications were received in January, and even now as many as 40 are waiting to be processed, Tabucic said.
"People are applying ahead of time," Vogelaar said.
Saucier said the revenues from the new fee structure will help improve services and eliminate delays.
But Jorge Osterling, a professor at George Mason University, said the increase is against the philosophy of granting asylum to people fleeing political insurgencies, religious persecution and executions in their countries.
"You can't offer help and protection and then charge them like this," he said.


THE IMPACT

•The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees helps around 400 people gain citizenship every year.

•Currently, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fees are $400, including $75 for biometrics or fingerprinting for a citizenship application.

•The charges have increased four-fold in the last nine years from $95 in 1998.

•Now, the federal agency is proposing a further increase of 70 percent, to $675.

However, the fees for filing for adjustment of status, which is the first step toward gaining citizenship for many immigrants, is going to go up even more significantly. The fees are $400 currently, but if the new increase comes about, it would be $985 including the cost for biometrics.

Source: Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees