How USCIS Raises Application Fees

USCIS: Mr. OMB, we are getting tons of applications so we are falling behind.

OMB: More applications mean more fees. Can you hire more people or something, with the additional income?

USCIS: No.

OMB: What do you mean no? USCIS is funded by immigration fees; every extra application comes with extra payment, so what are you doing with the money?

USCIS: I don’t know. But if I can raise application fees by 40%, we’ll be alright.

OMB: OK.

Two years later:

USCIS: Mr. OMB, we are getting fewer applications so we are running out of money.

OMB: What are you talking about? Application fee is collected to cover the application processing. If you don’t have that many applications, what do you need that money for?

USCIS: I don’t know. But if I can raise application fees by 40%, we’ll be alright.

OMB: OK.

Two more years later:

USCIS: Mr. OMB…

OMB: OK.

(I know, maybe I’m being too harsh on USCIS. But if you raise fees when application volume spikes, or drops, something doesn’t add up.)

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