Naturalization Fees: A Poll Tax Hidden in Plain Sight

Naturalization Fees: A Poll Tax Hidden in Plain Sight

By Valentine Brown, Immigration Impact The application fee to apply for U.S. citizenship was due to rise from $640 to $1170 on October 2. Though the fee hike was temporarily blocked in federal court, this is not the first time U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tried to raise the naturalization application fee. But the increase has never […]

Citizenship Backlogs at USCIS Will Block Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in the 2020 Election

Citizenship Backlogs at USCIS Will Block Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in the 2020 Election

By Melissa Cruz, Immigration Impact Hundreds of thousands of immigrants might be prevented from voting in the 2020 election—even though they are just one step away from becoming new Americans. Years of fiscal mismanagement at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—coupled with a series of policy changes under the Trump administration—have led to an enormous backlog of citizenship applications […]

USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4

USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is following the Centers […]

DEVELOPING ICYMI: 80,000 Texas Immigrants Stuck in Naturalization Limbo as 2020 Elections Loom

DEVELOPING ICYMI: 80,000 Texas Immigrants Stuck in Naturalization Limbo as 2020 Elections Loom

Austin, TX â€” In a bombshell reveal by the Houston Chronicle, 80,000 Texas immigrants are stuck in naturalization limbo. This is the latest in Trump Republicans’ ongoing attacks on immigrants and mixed-status families. Instead of fixing the family backlog and passing comprehensive immigration reform, Republicans see a way to suppress the vote and potentially alter the election […]