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Easing Immigration and Citizenship Fees

This bill aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals seeking immigration status or citizenship in the U.S. It introduces mandatory fee waivers for certain groups, such as victims of abuse or low-income individuals, and ensures that collected fees are used solely for immigration services. This should make it easier for financially struggling individuals to access legal residency and citizenship.
Key points
Fee Waivers: Certain individuals, including victims of abuse, refugees, asylum seekers, and low-income individuals (below 250% of federal poverty guidelines), will not have to pay immigration application fees.
Protection from "Public Charge": Applying for a fee waiver will not be considered when determining if an individual might become a "public charge" to the state.
Fee Transparency: Collected fees will be used exclusively for immigration services, and reports to Congress will be required before fee increases, justifying their necessity and impact on immigration.
Support for USCIS: $500 million is authorized to streamline the processing of fee-waived applications, aiming to speed up procedures.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_5319
Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Process start date: 2021-09-21
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Reduce Financial Barriers to Immigration and Citizenship Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_5319.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-09-21.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Fee Waivers: Certain individuals, including victims of abuse, refugees, asylum seekers, and low-income individuals (below 250% of federal poverty guidelines), will not have to pay immigration application fees.
  • Protection from "Public Charge": Applying for a fee waiver will not be considered when determining if an individual might become a "public charge" to the state.
  • Fee Transparency: Collected fees will be used exclusively for immigration services, and reports to Congress will be required before fee increases, justifying their necessity and impact on immigration.
  • Support for USCIS: $500 million is authorized to streamline the processing of fee-waived applications, aiming to speed up procedures.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

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