American Immigration Lawyers Association
New York City Bar
Avvo Rating
Avvo Client's Choice
Super Lawyers
Profinder David Katona

Fees at USCIS Change to Meet Operational Needs

Person in front of a computerThe U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a fee funded agency, unlike many other government agencies. This means that fees are collected and deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account in order to fund about 97% of USCIS’ budget. To make sure USCIS recovers its costs of services, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a final rule that adjusts fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefit requests.

As required by federal law, USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and found that the current fees being charged do not cover the cost of providing adjudication and naturalization services. The current fees would leave the agency underfunded by about $1 billion per year. It is because of this that DHS is adjusting fees by an average increase of 20% in order to help recover these operational costs.

The final rule calls for increased costs to adjudicate immigration benefit requests, detect and deter immigration fraud, and vet applicants, petitioners, and benefits. In addition to this, it also supports payroll, technology, and operations of USCIS. To help recover the costs of adjudication, certain fee exemptions will be removed and new nominal fees for asylum applicants will be included.

When discussing the matter, USCIS deputy director for policy Joseph Edlow stated, “USCIS is required to examine incoming and outgoing expenditures and make adjustments based on that analysis. These overdue adjustments in fees are necessary to efficiently and fairly administer our nation’s lawful immigration system, secure the homeland and protect Americans.”

To encourage online filing, the final rule provides a $10 reduction in the fee for applicants who submit electronically available forms online. This will become effective starting on October 2, 2020. All applications, petitions, or requests that are postmarked on or after this date are required to include a payment of the new fee.

Contact Our Firm

Katona & Associates, PLLC is an experienced, highly dedicated New York City immigration law firm located in lower Manhattan. Our firm works with clients in all matters of immigration law, including employment immigration, family immigration, deportation defense, green cards, and citizenship. Contact us to discuss your case and get the help you need.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Before I decided to hire David as my immigration attorney, I made thorough research online and I can say that I don’t regret a second that I made the right choice to choose him to represent me as my immigration attorney to apply for my green card. From day one, he was very helpful and patient. I asked him lots of questions during the application process and he provided me always great advice. I am definitely recommending David to every person who needs legal advice. He was very helpful." Alper
★★★★★
"Mr. Katona helped us well prepared our AOS interview, and gave us tons of recommendations. He’s not only professional but also very friendly and patient. He listened to our concerns, answered all our questions and eased our anxiety. He went to the interview with us and our case approved on the spot. He’s definitely the best immigration lawyer in the city. If you need an immigration attorney, Mr. Katona is the right person to talk with." Luyao Y.
★★★★★
"I am overjoyed to come back here and give attorney Katona yet another outstanding review. He confidently guided me and I took what other attorneys considered too big of the risk and I am back with GC!!!" Marta