Coalition Targets INS Fee Hike Plan

A proposal to raise naturalization fees by next year has prompted a coalition of Los Angeles neighborhood organizations to join in a statewide citizenship drive to assist applicants and lobby against the rate increases.

Valley Organized in Community Efforts and three other grass-roots organizations affiliated with the Industrial Area Foundation are marshaling 600 volunteers around the state to fight the Immigration and Naturalization Service proposal and to sign up immigrants for citizenship classes in advance of any new fee hikes.

The groups begin their citizenship drive this morning at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Reseda. Also participating are United Neighborhoods Organization and East Valleys Organization, which plan similar citizenship assistance programs in other parts of the county.

Immigrant advocacy groups worry the proposed fee increase will put U.S. citizenship out of reach for those too poor to afford the $95 naturalization fee now charged. They contend that the increases are politically motivated.

“This is a reaction to the huge number of applicants that became naturalized and voted in 1996,” said Gary Smith, director of VOICE, based in San Fernando. “In the wake of Proposition 187, many immigrants perceived they were made into a scapegoat.”

The INS denies the charge, saying they are simply following a congressional mandate to charge what is necessary to cover its expenses. Officials also say fee increases would speed processing of citizenship applications, which now take a year to review.

Fred Ross, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), said the proposed fees are too high. Ross said he has been told by INS officials that the new naturalization fee may be as much as $200.

“We haven’t seen the case made as to why they need the fees,” Ross said. “Secondly, at a time when the INS is not delivering services, how do you justify the raising the fees?”

The INS has been backlogged with applications as the number of immigrants seeking citizenship has increased from about 300,000 in 1992 to a projected 1.8 million this year.

The fee increases, which are awaiting final approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, would raise the cost of more than 30 services, including naturalization fees and work permits, said Allen Erenbaum, congressional relations director for the INS. The plan is the result of a two-year internal audit, which determined the current fees are too low, he said.

The final proposal will be unveiled in two weeks, he said. The public will have 60 days to respond.

Although the plan does not require congressional approval, U.S. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills) said he would like to see a fee waiver for the poor.

“While I don’t like to see an increase, if these fees could become the revenue with which we could cut this outrageous backlog in naturalization, then I would at least entertain the increase,” he said.

Berman said he does not see political motivation behind the INS plan. Rather, he said, it is a matter of survival for a beleaguered agency. Given the unlikelihood of additional federal funding, Berman said, “this may be the only way remaining” to improve service.

Those attending the local citizenship assistance program will learn about completing applications, testing procedures and where to enroll in free civic and English classes. Photographs and fingerprints will also be processed.

The Reseda event, which begins at 9 a.m., is open to any legal immigrant who has held a green card for at least five years or has been married to a U.S. resident for three years. Attorneys will be available to speak with people concerned about losing their Social Security benefits under welfare reform measures, Smith said.

Rafael and Petra Roman, a couple from Mexico applying for U.S. citizenship, were at a San Fernando church Friday, waiting for Rafael to be interviewed by INS workers.

Afterward, Rafael Roman said he was asked about the first president of the United States and questioned on the Supreme Court and U.S. Constitution. His wife is still awaiting her appointment to be tested.

The Sun Valley resident passed his exam, and said he looks forward to becoming a U.S. citizen.

But the truck driver and father of four said he worries about others who may follow. The $95 processing fee was expensive enough, he said. His wife agreed.

“We don’t know or understand what is the reason they want to raise the fees,” Petra Roman said.