By Elliot Spagat, AP — Wednesday 30 September 2020
A federal judge halted major fee increases for citizenship and other immigration benefits three days before they were to take effect, saying the last two chiefs of the Homeland Security Department were likely appointed illegally. US District Judge Jeffrey White also found the Trump administration likely failed to adequately consider the impact of the changes, including their effect on low-income applicants. The fee to become a naturalized citizen was set to jump to $1,170 from $640. Eight advocacy groups had sued the administration after Homeland Security published a final version of the fee hikes. The injunction will protect millions of low-income immigrants, asylum seekers, and survivors of domestic violence who need to affordably apply for immigration benefits.