USA IMMIGRATION NEWS
Decrease in Applications for US CitizenshipTuesday, 17 March 2009 The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States, is seeing a decrease in citizenship requests and believes the reason is the failing economy. In fiscal year 2007, USCIS increased the fees for a variety of services offered by sixty percent (60 percent). Regardless, a record 1.4 million US lawful permanent residents, or US Green Card holders, applied for naturalization so that they could become US citizens. Approximately one million people received US citizenship the following year. However, by fiscal year 2008, the number of citizenship applications decreased to approximately 518,000. This amount is even lower than the number of applications filed in fiscal year 2006, which was 730,000. According to Michael Aytes, the top manager at USCIS, the reason for the vast decrease is the increase in fees that occurred in July 2007. Aytes is very concerned, as naturalization is the "process where people assimilate and become vested into the United States." In response to this, USCIS will distribute $1.2 million to community organizations that assist applicants in the application process for obtaining US citizenship. To be eligible for the funding, community organizations must assist in completing application forms and must concentrate on classes in English and US history and civics. The funds may be used by the organizations to purchase books, computers and language programs and to train personnel and volunteers in providing services. The USCIS Citizenship Program will give priority to organizations that offer US citizenship services to people over age 65, young people with special visas, US Green Card holders with financial difficulties, eligible refugees and exiles, and women covered by the Violence Against Women Act. If you are interested in living & working in USA, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on different visas available to people migrating to USA. |
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