Why is it so expensive to become an American Citizen?

Question

I have lived in this country legally for going on 21 years,worked and payed taxes all that time.Never done anything illegal. my family is on the lower bracket of the so called Middle-Class.I can`t afford to pay $500.00 to become a citizen.I don`t want no smart butt replys either.I have seen enough of them on Yahoo`s answere .Rudeness is not welcome at all

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Troll Goddess, because you especially requested about citizenship enable me concentration my answer on that query. that isn't any longer 5 years of "dwelling" interior the U. S., that is 5 years of dwelling interior the U. S. as a "lawful everlasting resident" (LPR), that is what a eco-friendly Card holder formally is. Even dwelling interior the U. S. with permission, i.e., as a pupil or with a artwork visa would not count number to fulfill the residency requirement. you need to be a LPR first and then the clock begins ticking. So the first step may be to develop into an LPR. except for the DV-Lottery for which Canadians do no longer qualify, there are 3 strategies to a eco-friendly Card: a million) you're the instantaneous relative of a US citizen. that can be a baby, a better 1/2, or a figure. 2) you're a wealthy person investor. minimum funding is a million million US$ plus 10 new jobs 3) you're a somewhat qualified professional, typically someone with a doctorate degree in a field that is in intense call for interior the U. S. and may do what not one of the 310 million US electorate can do. evidently it truly is the most complicated course. regardless of a Juris D you do not have of project via the employment course, so both you get wealthy, very wealthy very quickly, or you get married to a US citizen. sturdy luck!

Answer 3

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..

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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.

Answer 7

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!

Answer 8

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!!!!!

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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!!!