Advisory to Submit Immigration Requests

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will increase the cost of legal forms to request status adjustments and employment, family-based immigration, and naturalization benefits. For example, according to the organization Boundless Immigration, employment authorization and advance parole (two forms that were previously free) will now cost $260 and $630. 

Although the claimed intention of these cost increases is offsetting operational costs, the impact will undoubtedly harm millions of people:

Individuals who have immigrated already face disproportionately higher rates of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. Especially when combined with financial issues or economic oppression, immigration has many intersections with gender-based violence.

Immigrant advocates are advising people to submit requests as soon as possible to avoid increased costs. It is also encouraged to strategize about ways to prevent, and respond to, the harm and violence that may emerge in our communities in relation to these cost adjustments.