First step to citizenship - the green card - surging in cost
May 31, 2007 12:22 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first step toward citizenship -- obtaining a green card -- will soon surge to more than $1000, a price tag certain to be a hardship for many immigrant families.
A laborer earning the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour would have to save every penny earned for five weeks to pay for the card, which is issued to permanent legal residents. Immigrants to the US must hold this status for five years before they can become naturalized citizens.
The new prices, which do not require congressional approval, take effect July 30th. A green card will cost $930, plus an extra $80 for mandatory fingerprints, a total of $1010. That's up from $395.00: $325 plus $70.
Children 14 and under and people at least 79 years old would be charged less and would not be fingerprinted. Advocacy groups and some immigrants say the increases are too drastic.
The cost of a green card is only a portion of the expenses borne by immigrants seeking citizenship or other benefits.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
