SAN FRANCISCO - Immigrant rights advocates said the proposed fee increases by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) send a message to immigrants that they are not wanted here.

“Things like these fee increases are only going to further discourage the sentiment that immigrants are a major part of this country,” said Terry Valen of the Filipino Community Center

The USCIS plans to increase fees on permanent residency, also known as green card applications.

The green card application fee would increase by $50, bringing it to $985. Biometric fingerprinting, which is required for most applications, including the green card, will also increase from $80 to $85 dollars.

This means out- of- pocket cost for a green card application would be $1,070. That would make it an increase of $60.

An application for temporary residence, such as students will go up drastically by $420 dollars to $1,030.

The USCIS is also proposing a new fee of $6,230 dollars for an investor’s visa. It used to be free. There is also a proposal for an added $165 dollar processing fee for immigrant family petitions.

“It’s becoming clear that in order to benefit from the immigration system, that wealth is a defacto requirement,” said Christopher Punongbayan of the Asian law Caucus

Advocates are calling on the community to challenge the fee hikes.

“The key thing that is missing from this proposed fee increase is a fee waiver so individuals who are on fixed income-low income or no income or otherwise can’t afford it can still benefit from all the immigration services,” said Punongbayan.

USCIS did announce a few mark downs such as petitions for fiancées, which would drop by $115 to $340.

Immigrant rights groups are asking the USCIS to drop the $675 dollar price to apply for US citizenship.

Immigrant advocates will use the 45-day public comment period to make sure their voices and concerns are heard. If the fee hikes do take place, it most likely won’t happen until fall. Balitang America