CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the health risks posed by the Corona Virus tragedy, our office is following the directives of the governor of California in order to minimize the risks to our staff, our clients and our community. Our office will continue to operate fully, as it has thus far, observing our normal schedule, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We will continue to schedule appointments to meet with clients and will do this via ZOOM or Telephone only.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with any of our lawyers or staff members, please do so by calling our office at 619-291-1112. You can also contact us via e-mail at [email protected]janbejar.com

Thank you for your understanding.

AVISO DE CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19

Debido a los riesgos para la salud planteados por la tragedia del Virus Corona, nuestra oficina está siguiendo las directivas del gobernador de California para minimizar los riesgos para nuestro personal, nuestros clientes y nuestra comunidad. Nuestra oficina seguirá funcionando a pleno, como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, cumpliendo con nuestro horario habitual, de lunes a viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m. Continuaremos programando citas para reunirnos con los clientes y lo haremos solo a través de ZOOM o por teléfono.

Si desea programar una cita con alguno de nuestros abogados o miembros del personal, hágalo llamando a nuestra oficina al 619-291-1112. También puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a [email protected]

Gracias por su comprensión.

Resolving Immigration ProblemsIn An Honest & Responsible Manner

California residents: now is the time to apply for citizenship

The Department of Homeland Security published a number of changes to the fees involved in becoming a U.S. citizen. The announcement was posted to the Federal Register on Aug. 3 and will become effective 60 days after that date on Oct. 2.

Trump Administration announced an increase in fees

On July 31, a spokesperson for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, announced that the fees for dozens of different work permits were being increased, calling the move “an overdue adjustment.” The U.S. will join Fiji, Iran and Australia in charging fees to asylum seekers. The new fee will be $50. Historically, asylum seekers have not been charged fees across most of the globe.

Significant increases being made to other fees

Application fees for online naturalization were increased from $640 to $1,160. This is an increase of 80%. USCIS says that the fee increases are necessary to combat the rising costs of program administration and will cover the full cost of processing the application along with a portion of overhead costs, a departure from previous policy.

Other fees also impacted

USCIS initially included an increase for DACA renewals but removed that portion of the law when the Trump Administration announced that it would not be accepting any more applicants to the program. DACA fees will remain at 2017 levels.

In addition, USCIS lowered its fees for genealogical information on deceased immigrants who entered the country in the 19th through mid-20th centuries. Many historians and genealogists had pushed for these fees to be lowered.

If you are pursuing citizenship, an attorney who is experienced in immigration law may be able to assist you and answer any questions. Immigration matters are always in flux, so a legal professional who is up to date on the process may be beneficial to your case.

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