Corporate Immigration - USA
According to recent data, more legal immigrants are now attempting to become US citizens. Government officials say that much of this recent increase in requests for citizenship is due to:
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proposed increases in fees to process applications for naturalization;
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'citizenship drives' conducted throughout the United States; and
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new feelings of insecurity among legal immigrants resident in the United States.
New fees are to take effect at the end of July. On July 30 the fee to apply for naturalization will increase from $400 to $675. In addition, recent failed attempts to pass comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate have fuelled concerns among immigrants about the future of immigration in the United States and the safety of their status.
The number of new, naturalized citizens has grown steadily over the past few years. In 2006 that figure was roughly 702,000. In 2003 it was approximately 463,000. However, large increases have been seen so far this year and the number of applications has been increasing each month. In May 2007 over 115,000 people submitted applications for naturalization. In December 2006 that number was less than 66,000.
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