It is good that these people are finally applying for citizenship. It is a shame it took rising fees to get them to do it, they have been missing out on many benefits. Hopefully they will register to vote when they are eligible. DP
cfnews13.com: As changes loom, record numbers of immigrants are scrambling to become U.S. Citizens.
The rush for citizenship comes as Congress considers overhauling immigration laws. Senators spent last week debating a bill aimed at toughening border security and giving quick legal status to the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Federal officials are also finalizing plans to raise application fees, in some cases more than doubling the cost.
Under the proposed changes, citizenship applications would increase from $330 to $595, an 80 percent hike. The yearly work permit renewal would increase 89 percent, from $180 to $340.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, more than 118,000 immigrants in the U.S. filed for citizenship in March. That's compared with slightly more than 74,000 in March 2006.
In Florida, citizenship applications rose 62 percent in the first quarter of 2007.
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