Naturalization Trends, Issues, and Legislation (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
June 24, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-190 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Ruth Ellen Wasem, Education and Public Welfare Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Immigration and Naturalization Service has proposed a fee increase for filing the naturalization petition, from $95 to $230. Given the size of the backlog, some observers challenge how these increased fees would result in improved services for the new petitioners. Immigrant advocates, moreover, question how much of the fees collected actually go to funding the naturalization process and assert that the Administration and Congress need to invest more resources into naturalization to assure that both the system is not abused and that petitioners are processed within a reasonable time. Congress already earmarked an additional $163 million for naturalization in the FY1998 appropriations, and the Administration is seeking approximately the same levels for FY1999.
