For people seeking work or an escape to a better life in the United States, it's going to cost about two times the current amount, following a move by the Trump administration to hike fees on various immigration applications.
Michelle Mendez, director of defending vulnerable programs at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), calls the move an assault on immigration.
"This rule, these fees that have increased will make it extremely difficult for individuals to become legal immigrants, specifically to become naturalized immigrants, to become citizens," Mendez told Cheddar.
The new fees, which are set to be increased in October, will also gravely impact the world's most at-risk populations seeking asylum in the U.S., Mendez added.
"$50 may seem to be a small fee for many of us. We have to understand that asylum seekers leave their countries, they flee their countries with practically nothing," she said.
While news of the increased fees may be looked on as damning, Mendez said the move is on par with the Trump administration's previous moves to eliminate "access to the legal immigration process."
"During the [presidential] campaign, the rhetoric was very much focused on illegal immigration. We knew that that actually meant they were going to attack illegal and legal immigration," she said.
For Mendez, the idea of increasing fees and making the process even more difficult for people who want to become American is a jab at the foundation upon which the country was built.
"When we limit the opportunity for people to be engaged in the process by being citizens, that really undermines our democracy. That really undermines our democratic process," she stated.
Your Future Home: Housing trends and tips with Quicken Loans. On Between Bells: North Korea, Stormy Daniels, and #NationalMeatballDay. With Esquire and Scientific American.
The world is left with plenty of questions after President Donald Trump surprisingly agreed to talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Esquire's Jack Holmes joins Cheddar to discuss Trump's communications strategy around the announcement.
Lloyd Blankfein could be leaving Goldman Sachs by the end of the year. The Obamas reportedly in talks with Netflix. Costco gets into the doomsday prep business.
President Trump won the state's 18th district by 20 points. But Conor Lamb, the Democratic House candidate for its special election, is a "good fit culturally," says Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor at political website Sabato's Crystal Ball.
President Trump signs proclamations on aluminum and steel tariffs. Weight Watchers is rolling out meal kits. Toys 'R' Us is reportedly prepping to liquidate its U.S. Operations. Companies celebrate International Women's Day.
Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman joins The Hive to discuss what life without Gary Cohn looks like and continued chaos in the White House.
The Hive's Kristen Scholer and Jon Kelly discuss the recent happenings in the White House. From Gary Cohn to Sam Numberg, President Trump seems to be losing many of his allies.
The Hive's hosts Jon Kelly and Kristen Scholer discuss the latest news in politics, business, and technology. From the Mueller probe to Uber's cash woes, and beyond, we've got you covered.
Vanity Fair's Hive + Between Bells. We’re joined by the crew at Vanity Fair's Hive to discuss Kushner, Cook, and Cohn. Between Bells celebrates International Women's Day with Cosmopolitan. Madame Noire, and more.
Robbie Kaplan, co-founder of the #TimesUp movement, says sweeping changes to laws in recent years have dissuaded attorneys from taking on harassment cases on behalf of women. The legal defense fund aims to change that.
