Why is it so expensive to become an American Citizen?
Answer:
After 26 years I finally became an American Citizen. I'm a single parent and having to find the money to pay for this was difficult and delayed the process for me BUT it was worth every penny!
As you go throught the application procedure, the interview and the oath ceremony you have to take a moment to look around and see how hard the INS employees work and just how many people they deal with on a daily basis. It is only fair that we pay, it should not be the responsibility of the american taxpayers to foot the bill and we have to be willing to ensure we help the system to continue running so smoothly. If that means we pay a $500 fee then we should be pleased, honored to do it.
If you sincerely cannot afford to pay though the INS gives you the option of filling in another form that proves you are unable and you can be approved for a waiver of payment. I could have gone this route but truly wanted to do it by myself.
I cannot stress to you how wonderful it feels to hold the certificate in your hands and know that you are a citizen in a country that has been your home for so long. It is so life affirming.
Do you belong to a church have you told your fellow parishioners about your plight? Any organizations like kiwanas, moose, elk, knights of columbus? If you can present yourself and ask I bet you would find a way to get the money. If you feel bad about asking for charity offer to help them with their fundraisers to make it up to them.
Creative thinking!!!
Charging for all immigration-related and consular services was mandated by the US Congress, which decided that there was no reason that all taxpayers should pay for services only a few people want: passports, visas, naturalization, etc. The prices are calculated based on the time required to handle and process them, and the forms and certificates that result, and were done by an independent outside company.
A: In my opinion, $500.00 is not a lot to pay for freedom and opportunity at it's best. If it wasn't worth the price, you would be back in the country that you fled. And then where would you be today?
This is not me being rude - but honest! I get so sick and tired of people complaining about how we Americans choose to run our own country yet they continue to flood us with their presence/lives/family/bad attitudes/crimes...!! If you don't like it here/us/the way we choose to run things, then GO BACK HOME!!!!!
Well maybe it's because the cost of Freedom is the ultimate price. An American giving his life for us to remain free. 500$ is a cheap price to become a citizen. A few hours of hard work~Whats that!
Can you be more specific? who is charging you half a million dollars for citizenship, well first of all that would be illegal to sell or buy citizenship. If you could be more specific maybe you will get more answers that will help you.
While I'm sure that you are truthful in saying you have led a law abiding life since you came to the US.You still came as an illegal alien.I'm sure there must be some group that will assist you in your endeavor to become a legal citizen.Someone suggested a church group,or perhaps your employer could help.You cant mean that in 21 years you could not have saved $ 500. dollars .Is your wish to become legal a new one or a long standing one? If you have a good credit history it would be very easy to get a loan for that amount.I'm not being rude only factual.Good luck in your quest to become a legal citizen..
Well, I was born in this country 21 years ago and I too find it very expensive to live here. America has everything going for it but it's corupt government which loves to put burdens on it's own people so fat politics can live the large life.
Because it was payed for by the blood of many soldiers. Their cost was much greater than has and will be asked of you.
Another reason is supply and demand. I bet you could get into north Korea for a song and a dance.
If everybody comes here then no one will want to BE HERE!
the cost of your freedom and opportunity is $500 and you have been here 21 years? what was the cost back where you came from? stop complaining. seriously. did you know the cost of living before you sailed over? $500 is nothing compared to what you are receiving back. Get a second job or a third one.
read Wendy Welch's answer, inspiring, uplifting,
this woman has pride and reflects same in the writing.....
we are fortunate to have her.
$500 is not expensive to get your total freedom.....I'm sure
you can manage this small amount to afford all of the amenities
you have in our great nation.
The filing fee for Form N-400 Application for Naturalization is $330. You MIGHT be asked for your biometrics to be taken again for an extra $70. These numbers reflect the actual cost of processing the application, as Congress has mandated that no taxpayer funds may be used for any non-immigrant or immigrant applications. These fees are reviewed bi-annually and adjusted to keep the fees in line with the cost of processing them . . . and yes, sometimes they are reduced.
the REAL reason is that over 90% of the opperating budget for the USCIS is from fees. so...in order to keep this organization running smoothly (not that i believe it does run smoothly) is to have high fees. and get ready, they are about to go up significantly. basically the organization pays for itself through the work it does, and the collection of fees. this is rationalized through the idea that we could easily say "no immigration" and shut the organization down and save the money. so...the people who need USCIS's services, are the ones who pay for the opperation costs.
it's not about being mean, trying to suck money from people or anything like that. it's simply how it works. 90% of budget is from fees.
The immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness