US immigrants to pay more for citizenship

US immigrants will have to pay more while applying for citizenship, legal residency and other immigration services after April 30 to help fund the increased security measures in post 9/11 America. 8216;8216;The fee increases will help reduce the backlog of applications and pay for increased security measures implemented after the 9/11 attacks,8217;8217; the US Citizenship and Immigration Services UCIS said.

8216;8216;The agency is committed to delivering immigration services and benefits in a compassionate, effective and secure manner,8217;8217; Director of UCIS Eduardo Aguirre said. 8216;8216;The new fee structure will allow us to enhance service without compromising our commitment to national security.8217;8217;

Immigrants will now have to pay US 320 to apply for citizenship, instead of US 260, which is a US 60 increase. Residency or Green Card fees will rise to US 315. Work permits will cost US 175. Overall fee increase averages about US 55. For example, if an immigrant loses his or her permanent resident card, it now costs US 130 to replace it. But after April 30, it will cost US 185. The increase is the fifth since 1989. Since 1989, the fees have quadrupled. To apply for residency, immigrants paid US 60 in 1989. Now it costs US 255. After April 30, it will cost US 315. 8212; PTI