Reminder: Submit your petitions and applications ASAP

Just this week, I had several potential clients call me to ask if I could assist them in preparing their petitions and applications as soon as I can. This is understandable because on October 2, USCIS new and higher rates for most petitions and applications are going to take effect. Just for the N-400, Application for Naturalization, the present fee of $725 will increase to $1,190 to $1,200. So if you are qualified and eligible to file an application for naturalization, you better do it as soon as you can and mail it to USCIS before October 2.

If you have other applications, make sure you check the new rates because there are other applications/petitions that have lower fees after October 2. An example is the I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancee’ which will go down from $535 to $510. As of this writing, President Trump was planning to nominate a woman jurist to the US Supreme Court to take the seat vacated by Justice Ginsburg’s death. The Senate, controlled by Republicans, has already signified their intention to hold committee hearings, vote and possibly confirm President Trump’s pick. There is little the Democrats can do despite their protests that there is not enough time or that the next president elected on November 3 has the mandate of the people to make that pick. Nominating a Supreme Court Justice is one of the most significant exercises of presidential powers that could change the course of American destiny. With already two justices he nominated, Mr. Trump intends to further cement his legacy with this third nomination, and if he wins again, maybe another fourth pick. He has already signaled that his next nominee be a woman and relatively a young one who could potentially serve in the next 30 to 40 years.