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Proposed Rule2022-270662023-01-04

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements

Homeland Security Department

Abstract

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and determined that its costs have increased considerably since its previous fee adjustment due to expanded humanitarian programs, higher demand, increased processing times, and a need for more USCIS employees. USCIS cannot maintain adequate service levels with the effects of the budget cuts and its current level of spending without lasting impacts on operations. DHS proposes to adjust USCIS fees, add new fees for certain benefit requests, establish distinct fees for petitions for nonimmigrant workers, and limit the number of beneficiaries on certain forms. DHS is also proposing additional fee exemptions for certain humanitarian categories and changes to certain other immigration benefit request requirements. If DHS does not adjust USCIS fees it will not have the resources it needs to provide adequate service to applicants and petitioners or be able to keep pace with incoming benefit request workload, and USCIS processing times and backlogs will not improve. DHS intends for this rulemaking to provide the funding required for USCIS to improve service levels.

Action & Dates

Action
Proposed rule.
Dates
Written comments must be submitted on this proposed rule on or before March 6, 2023. The electronic Federal Docket Management System will accept comments before midnight eastern time at the end of that day.

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureAliensAuthority delegations (Government agencies)Cultural exchange programsEmploymentForeign officialsFreedom of informationHealth professionsImmigrationPassports and visasPenaltiesPrivacyReporting and recordkeeping requirementsStudentsSurety bonds

Public Comment

Comments Close
2023-03-13

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security 8 CFR Parts 103, 106, 204, 212, 214, 240, 244, 245, 245a, 264 and 274a [CIS No. 2687-21; DHS Docket No. USCIS 2021-0010] RIN 1615-AC68 AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and determined that its costs have increased considerably since its previous fee adjustment due to expanded humanitarian programs, higher demand, increased processing times, and a need for more USCIS employees. USCIS cannot maintain adequate service levels with the effects of the budget cuts and its current level of spending without lasting impacts on operations. DHS proposes to adjust USCIS fees, add new fees for certain benefit requests, establish distinct fees for petitions for nonimmigrant workers, and limit the number of beneficiaries on certain forms. DHS is also proposing additional fee exemptions for certain humanitarian categories and changes to certain other immigration benefit request requirements. If DHS does not adjust USCIS fees it will not have the resources it needs to provide adequate service to applicants and petitioners or be able to keep pace with incoming benefit request workload, and USCIS processing times and backlogs will not improve. DHS intends for this rulemaking to pr

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 88 FR 402