Torres: Immigration Fee Hikes an Attack on America’s Character
Lawmaker & First-Generation American Slams Xenophobic Efforts to Prevent Legal Immigration
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres today denounced a new Trump Administration rule put forth by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) to hike fees on numerous immigration-related forms and applications, including an 80 percent increase in naturalization fees, and a $50 charge for asylum applicants. The U.S. joins only three other nations in the world willing to charge asylum seekers for their applications.
Torres is the author of the Citizenship Affordability Act, legislation to expand access to citizenship by ensuring fee waivers are available to those eligible for naturalization who are struggling with associated fees.
Rep. Torres released the following statement:
"America's standing as a nation of immigrants is under attack by this president, and we cannot continue to ignore it," Rep. Torres said. "We need a president who is proud of our diversity and welcomes those around the world who aspire to join us. Instead, we're stuck with a xenophobe who just placed us among only three other nations willing to stoop so low as to charge asylum seekers. These fee hikes do not reflect our people or our values, and if President Trump cannot see that, he should resign."
Rep. Torres immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when she was five, and founded the New Americans Caucus in Congress to advocate for the needs of first generation Americans.
###