Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
It's becoming more expensive to come to U.S.
by Midland Reporter-Telegram
It's now more expensive to become an American and that has officials wondering if that's the reason fewer immigrants are seeking the American dream.
There was a a 69 percent increase last summer in citizenship fees, but about 281,000 immigrants have applied to become U.S. citizens in the first half of 2008 -- less than half the number of applicants in the same period last year, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The decline appears to be directly related to the application fee charged immigrants. That fee was raised from $400 to $675 at the end of July 2007. Prior to the hike in fees, there was a rush of applications when immigrants hurried to get their paperwork filed before fees shot up.
So, it's natural there would be a decline in citizenship applications after the fee hike, since so many immigrants sought to beat the fee increase. It's much the same with passports, when the U.S. expierenced a deludge of passport applications after a change in the law required passports to travel anywhere outside the U.S., including Mexico, Canada and the Carribean.
The immigration agency has not had so few applicants to open a year since 2003, when nearly 270,000 people applied for U.S. citizenship, according to the Associated Press. Immigrant advocants are blaming the higher application fee for the radical downturn, but there are also some other factors playing into the equation.
Some immigrants might be discouraged about upcoming revisions to the U.S. civics test, which they must pass before becoming citizens. The changes, which aim to gauge immigrants' understanding of concepts in U.S. civics and avoid total memorization, take effect for applications received after Sept. 30.
No matter how you look at it, becoming a U.S. citizen has a few more hurdles to clear, including price and knowlegde. Many think these are approriate moves to toss in the path of citizenship. They claim the price tag is not too high and think becoming a U.S. citizen is worth the investment in time, money and preparation.
Others feel the U.S. is unnessarily making it harder to become a citizen and is placing an unbearble burden on those desperately seeking citizenship for all the right reasons.
It'll probably take a year or two to see where the immigration numbers finally settle -- up or down. We doubt that applications for citizenship will decline significantly over the long haul, but until we see the final shakeout, it's too early to blame the current decrease solely on the fee increase.
There was a a 69 percent increase last summer in citizenship fees, but about 281,000 immigrants have applied to become U.S. citizens in the first half of 2008 -- less than half the number of applicants in the same period last year, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The decline appears to be directly related to the application fee charged immigrants. That fee was raised from $400 to $675 at the end of July 2007. Prior to the hike in fees, there was a rush of applications when immigrants hurried to get their paperwork filed before fees shot up.
So, it's natural there would be a decline in citizenship applications after the fee hike, since so many immigrants sought to beat the fee increase. It's much the same with passports, when the U.S. expierenced a deludge of passport applications after a change in the law required passports to travel anywhere outside the U.S., including Mexico, Canada and the Carribean.
The immigration agency has not had so few applicants to open a year since 2003, when nearly 270,000 people applied for U.S. citizenship, according to the Associated Press. Immigrant advocants are blaming the higher application fee for the radical downturn, but there are also some other factors playing into the equation.
Some immigrants might be discouraged about upcoming revisions to the U.S. civics test, which they must pass before becoming citizens. The changes, which aim to gauge immigrants' understanding of concepts in U.S. civics and avoid total memorization, take effect for applications received after Sept. 30.
No matter how you look at it, becoming a U.S. citizen has a few more hurdles to clear, including price and knowlegde. Many think these are approriate moves to toss in the path of citizenship. They claim the price tag is not too high and think becoming a U.S. citizen is worth the investment in time, money and preparation.
Others feel the U.S. is unnessarily making it harder to become a citizen and is placing an unbearble burden on those desperately seeking citizenship for all the right reasons.
It'll probably take a year or two to see where the immigration numbers finally settle -- up or down. We doubt that applications for citizenship will decline significantly over the long haul, but until we see the final shakeout, it's too early to blame the current decrease solely on the fee increase.
 |
 |
|
| President makes correct decision about Pakistan | Nation must come to grips with Sept. 11 |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mywesttexas.com.
the-eurasianearthlink.net wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:53 AM:
" I agree with the MRT.
The current city council should pay for these sports complex operating costs not by raising and raising taxes but by economizing on other things that the City of Midland spends taxes on.
I know the limitations on what the brightest of city council members and city government officials can think of. For this, the founding fathers of the US Constitution have a solution --- and it is to resort to NON-OBVIOUS SOLUTIONS.
And where do you get these NON-OBVIOUS sokutions????? No, you don't get these from consultants. Consultants are experts on the obvious, on what can be found in the books and and textbooks and universities.
THE NON-OBVIOUS YOU CAN ONLY FIND FROM INVENTORS!!! WHY? BECAUSE NON-OBVIOUSNESS IS THE VERY DEFENITION AND REQUIREMENT FOR SOMETHING TO BE AN INVENTION!!!! AND YOU GOT IT RIGHT HERE IN YOUR VERY OWN CITY OF MIDLAND IN A PERSON KNOWN AS "THE EURASIAN". SO GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, STOP CHEATING AND ROBBING EURASIAN. INSTEAD COME HERE AND DIALOGUE WITH HIM!!!! "
The current city council should pay for these sports complex operating costs not by raising and raising taxes but by economizing on other things that the City of Midland spends taxes on.
I know the limitations on what the brightest of city council members and city government officials can think of. For this, the founding fathers of the US Constitution have a solution --- and it is to resort to NON-OBVIOUS SOLUTIONS.
And where do you get these NON-OBVIOUS sokutions????? No, you don't get these from consultants. Consultants are experts on the obvious, on what can be found in the books and and textbooks and universities.
THE NON-OBVIOUS YOU CAN ONLY FIND FROM INVENTORS!!! WHY? BECAUSE NON-OBVIOUSNESS IS THE VERY DEFENITION AND REQUIREMENT FOR SOMETHING TO BE AN INVENTION!!!! AND YOU GOT IT RIGHT HERE IN YOUR VERY OWN CITY OF MIDLAND IN A PERSON KNOWN AS "THE EURASIAN". SO GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE, STOP CHEATING AND ROBBING EURASIAN. INSTEAD COME HERE AND DIALOGUE WITH HIM!!!! "
terry wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:35 AM:
" How to confuse a liberal: Use actual facts and logic.
Good job "Americans", this is the begining of the end. "
Good job "Americans", this is the begining of the end. "
Mrs Mavis Gibson wrote on Nov 22, 2008 6:10 PM:
" All this fear is bordering on total nonsense, this is still a democracy at last glance, and, had the GOP worked to actually have a message that could resonate with ALL Americans and not just the ones in the Deep South, perhaps all these fears of a boogeyman would go away. In the 8 years of GOP rule all we have to show for it is their free wheel spending and not much more other than a recession.
The Republicans are acting like spoiled children who will now have to work across the aisle instead of pushing their one sided agenda around the world. And, I would think that MRT would have written a better editorial than one based on some irrational fear, but, then again, that seems to be the only thing conservatives have to offer these days. "
The Republicans are acting like spoiled children who will now have to work across the aisle instead of pushing their one sided agenda around the world. And, I would think that MRT would have written a better editorial than one based on some irrational fear, but, then again, that seems to be the only thing conservatives have to offer these days. "
Imajicka1 wrote on Nov 22, 2008 8:55 PM:
" Terry, I'm confused by the basis of your argument, seeing how most people with at least a Bachelors degree voted Democratic. That would imply that the mastery of actual facts and logic isn't in the Republican party.
It is the beginning of the end... the end of the Dark Ages under George "Dubya" Bush. "
It is the beginning of the end... the end of the Dark Ages under George "Dubya" Bush. "
anonymous wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:58 PM:
" imajicka1 is confused himself/herself. what is the source of your statement that "most people with at least a bachelor's degree voted democratic"? i have a bachelor's degree. I voted against nobama. not because he is black. but because he is a lying democrat (redundancy, i know). i will continute to vote against democrats as long as they act against my civil rights.
don't know what the basis for your hatred of President Bush is. don't care. there were no dark ages under george w bush. dark ages were under clinton. and are coming again under no-bama. if you care at all about freedom. where is "
don't know what the basis for your hatred of President Bush is. don't care. there were no dark ages under george w bush. dark ages were under clinton. and are coming again under no-bama. if you care at all about freedom. where is "
Yes wrote on Nov 26, 2008 11:50 AM:
" I guess its the liberals turn to take over, thanks conservatives. "
Voice of Reason wrote on Jan 11, 2009 11:51 AM:
" anonymous wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:58 PM.
You talk about the democrats being against civil rights, while the republicans brought us the torture, wire tapping, and more laws that limit privacy that ever.
If the republicans are your version of civil rights, I think you would really love North Korea. "
You talk about the democrats being against civil rights, while the republicans brought us the torture, wire tapping, and more laws that limit privacy that ever.
If the republicans are your version of civil rights, I think you would really love North Korea. "
David Knight wrote on Jan 15, 2009 9:20 PM:
" Listening to Midland's favorite son tonight it is clearly fitting that he return to Midland's Centennial Plaza where he started because for the last eight years our bumper stickers have clearly stated that somewhere in Texas a village is missing its idiot!! Midland is that village...GW has done to America what he did to the Midland downtown district where windows are boarded up and businesses have failed. Eight years ago I came to Midland where my wife at the time took a job with Chevron now Chevron Texaco... as you look back on the past eight years and especially at KATRINA, an unending war against Islam by evangelical leaders like GW, and a failed economy, I can stand up proud and say that eight years ago I told you so!! Midlanders can now proudly welcome their idiot back with an ideology that believes taking over countries is a good policy and a Christian imperative. Like Forest Gump he returns admitting that, "(I) am not a smart man." He's still selling the WMD bit to the very last...how good to know Obama and patriotism are coming back.
Rev. David W Knight "
Rev. David W Knight "
Yes wrote on Jan 24, 2009 11:17 PM:
" If we really want to end the terrorist threat we should end our prohibition on drugs, without drugs the cartels and gangs in Mexico will have their primary revenue source dissolved. "
joe banana wrote on Feb 20, 2009 3:18 AM:
" As if the US isn't a terrorist nation, the government is causing all this violence with their stupid unjust wars. They instigate violence all over the world, and in our own country, against their own people. The "war on drugs" is unconstitutional, the constitution in no way condones paramilitary raids on private residence, and when a law causes more harm than good, and more death, than it prevents, it's a bad law, no matter how many rights are violated to enforce it. "
richard wrote on Apr 25, 2009 10:25 AM:
" the
Midland Reporter Telegram is a pawn of the Midland "Elite" and rich. VOTE NO ON THE HOSPITAL BOND
VOTE NO
VOTE NO ON THE BOND
VOTE NO ON THE BOND "
Midland Reporter Telegram is a pawn of the Midland "Elite" and rich. VOTE NO ON THE HOSPITAL BOND
VOTE NO
VOTE NO ON THE BOND
VOTE NO ON THE BOND "
mark wrote on Apr 25, 2009 10:30 AM:
" The hospital bond should be considered in a couple of years. Not now. the economic Depression is just getting underway in Midland with many layoffs recently. The hospital wants to increase their size so the administrators can justify higher salaries. I say VOTE NO on the bond also. "
Hog Wash wrote on Apr 25, 2009 10:47 AM:
" I believe the article caption should read, "Midland Hospital Bond in Need of Taxpayer Support". The entities behind the make-up of and promotion thereof the Hospital Bond don't want voters who are against their pet projects. As in past bond elections, those who stand to profit are dramatically smaller in numbers than those who will be burdened by the debt. Their key to the success of the passage is to keep voters away from the polls. As in all the bond elections of the past, deception is the rule and the truth is scarce. More than likely the cost of the new hospital will go far beyond the estimated project due to labor and material costs. This is as it was regarding the Sports Complex and lesser with the school bonds. Do we have the 50 million donations in a special account to honor the pledges given (escrow)? There is no law to make one honor their pledge. As it stood with the Sports Complex, 35 million cost on the ballot, cost over-run about triple. With this came the promise of no taxes being used to support or pay for the arena. The taxes were used to secure low-interest on the bonds, and now they pay the upkeep on the stadium every year. How much are we to trust our leaders? "
AGAIN wrote on Apr 25, 2009 1:52 PM:
" Once again, our illustrious local newspaper has taken the opportunity to tell the voters to spend money. I cannot see where this hospital has been fiscally responsible in the past, nor do I forsee a great change in approach in the future. Rather than spend all this voter money on expansion and renovation in order to recruit more dr's why dont we as a community make the community THE place to be. The real reason why dr's do not want to come and stay in Midland is, let's face it, Midland is not a great place to live, work or raise a family. Oh yes I know there are some who think it's great - but those are generally people who have deep roots to this community and have never really lived any place else! You don't know what;s out there until you've tried it. There are a few minor attempts to bring culture to this place through the theater, music etc... but overall there is not much to do here for adults, kids or teens! If I was not stuck here I'd be out of here in a second. But as it is it's either a real town or a marriage and family. "
Not Again wrote on Apr 25, 2009 9:56 PM:
" Again, please leave Midland if you hate it so much. People like you continue to drag down the city. If all of you who are so obviously against the bond would get educated, you would be in favor of this project. You don't want to be educated. Ignorance breeds ignorance. "
Concerned Citizen wrote on Apr 26, 2009 9:19 PM:
" How about just charge the people who actually go there more. Of course, 1/2 the people go to the emergency room instead of a regular doctor and don't pay anyway. A larger hospital will just have more indigent people showing up.
VOTE NO "
VOTE NO "
Ann wrote on Apr 28, 2009 4:20 PM:
" I plan to vote NO on this so-called bond for Midland Memorial. They don't do anything but remodel and renovate. They are the most wasteful of tax dollars. "
VOTED FOR THE BOND wrote on Apr 29, 2009 6:33 PM:
" I believe that if Clarence Scharbauer donated $25 MILLION for this hospital renovation and expansion, the members of the community should be able to afford about $66.00 a year and should support a project that will benefit so many people in the community. Just like Rosalind Grover stated on the newstalk radio show one morning - if you have a heart attack or a car wreck you will be taken to MMH. How good do they need to be? Would you want to be admitted to a room that is over 50 years old that doesnt have the top-notch equipment that you would want to be used on YOU? "
nurse wrote on Apr 29, 2009 7:31 PM:
" I voted NO to this bond. In response to VOTED FOR THE BOND if I am ever in need of medical care I have the agreement from everyone in my family NOT to take me to MMH. I have worked at MMH and seen the LACK of care provided there as a patient and a nurse and REFUSE to give them one more cent of MY money. If they could use thier money wisely and not hand out MULTI MILLION dollar bonuses then MAYBE I would consider the bond. But until they show that they can be RESPONSIBLE with the tax dollars the have now, I will support my decision to vote NO to this ludicris proposal. "
another mmh worker wrote on Apr 30, 2009 3:17 PM:
" During the course of time, constant spending by mmh has been an issue. Of course many people in the community don't see it, because the "ELITE" in the media are not covering the FACTS that go on behind the walls of mmh. Right now is not the time for a bond. With the economy in shambles, best thing would be to try again next year or something. Sorry, but I will be voting NO. As an employee there; we are underpaid, benefits are lousy, even the ones that have college degress are having to work 2 jobs just to make ends meet. NO will mean NO for me. "
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, however we reserve the right to delete any post we see that may be considered slanderous, excessive and/or foul language, or any post that we may deem inappropriate.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
News
Sports
Business
Entertain
Life
the-eurasianearthlink.net wrote on Jun 12, 2008 10:21 AM:
Midland has several sources of water. Some of them if I remember right are Lake Spence, Lake Ivie, T-Bar, Colorado River.
Each of these sources has a different taste. What Midland does is it mixes all the water it gets from these different sources, treats them and that's what it distributes as tap water for drinking as well as watering lawns.
In eurasian's process, eurasian is suggesting that the waters from these various sources be compared for example for taste, odor, salinity, softness or hardness. The best tasting with lowest salinity can be declared the winner for example, and that's the one we can distribute by a separate distribution system to the kitchens of Midland's addresses.
The rest of the water can be distributed via a separate distribution system to Midland's addresses which people can use say for watering lawns and plants, showering, washing clothes.
We have various choices. We can have 2 or 3 or more distribution water distribution systems. It all depends on what the city and people want and can afford.
We can even mix water from two or more sources in various proportons if that will produce an even better tasting water. One distribution system can have prices or rates different from the other distribution system or systems.
One good thing about this is that in the case of severe droughts where rationing might be necessary, water to kitchens will never be necessary.
If the likelihood of severe scarcity of water is unlikely, one simple way would be to have one water distribution system distributing water to houses/apartments/offices and another water distribution system distributing water for watering lawns. It would be advisable to treat water in all the distribution systems so as to make them all potable even if one distribution system is just fior watering lawns. This way, if somebody mistakenly or intentionally crossconnects two water distribution systems, the water will still be potable and safe for drinking though not as tasty.
To serve the PUBLIC GOOD, this experimental eurasian solution has to be submitted publicly and openly like eurasian is doing now so that all will know. Submitting this privately to some government office is not a good idea because such will only result in the death of this solution because government officials like to kill these eurasian experimentals just like Mayor Perry is now killing eurasian's suggestion to use the old police station as a jail so Sheriff Gary Painter will have no alibies to expand Midland Detention Center. That's why the City of Midland is demolishing that old police station building because they are sabotaging eurasian's experimental. I would not be surprise if this also explains why eurasian was suspended from MOF for 30 days for no good reason -- so that eurasian cannot post comments while they talk about demolishing this police station building. "