Comment in Letter on USCIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements

Comment Letter on USCIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements (Docket No. USCIS 2021-0010)

The Presidents’ Alliance understands the financial strain USCIS contends with and appreciates the agency’s efforts to distribute the burden of fee increases as equitably as possible to account for the USCIS budget shortfall. However, even modest fee increases can pose significant financial barriers for some populations, including DACA recipients, international students, refugees, and anyone seeking to apply for naturalization. Ultimately, Congress should provide sufficient funding through annual appropriations, rather than saddling applicants seeking unrelated benefits with the responsibility of funding USCIS. Moreover, forcing unrelated applicants and requestors to pay to subsidize collateral benefits of other populations directly contravenes the mission and principles of USCIS. We include our comments and recommendations regarding certain fee changes below.