BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement urging individuals who want to file immigration applications and petitions to submit them before December 23, 2016, when several fees will increase.

“Citizenship confers enormous benefits, such as the right to vote, that allow people an opportunity to enjoy the full blessings of American life. It relieves and protects those lacking citizenship status, resident foreign nationals, from the fear that any interaction with the law enforcement officials or the court system could result in deportation proceedings and a forced separation from loved ones. Citizenship makes it possible to fully enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. As the daughter of parents who came to the United States from the Nation of Jamaica and the representative of a community that includes immigrants from around the world, I am hopeful that individuals who are eligible to apply for citizenship will complete the required paperwork and submit their forms before fees increase on December 23. The staff at my District Office in Brooklyn stand ready to assist interested individuals by inquiring about the status of pending applications as well as provide references to local organizations that assist in completing the application process and paperwork. Now is the Time.”

The new fees are listed on Form G-1055, Fee Schedule. Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after December 23 must include the new fees or USCIS will not be able to accept them.

Changes in the new fee schedule can be found here. Highlights follow:

• An increase of $45, or 8 percent, from $595 to $640 for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. USCIS will offer a reduced filing fee of $320 for naturalization applicants with family incomes greater than 150 percent and not more than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For 2016, this means, for example, that a household of four with an income between $36,000 and $48,600 per year could pay the reduced fee. Those eligible may apply for this option using the new Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee.
• The fee for Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322, will increase from $550 or 600 to $1,170.
• A new fee of $3,035 will be required for Form I-924A, Annual Certification of Regional Center.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee on Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.