On January 31, 2007 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule to increase filing fees under the headline "Building an Immigration Service for the 21st Century."  The proposal shows an average increase in filing fees f 85%. If approved, the increase will take effect in June 2007.

USCIS states that the filing fee increase is intended to, among other goals, improve service, reduce processing times, enhance USCIS's abilty to address national security and public safety concerns, and prevent and detect fraud.

The proposed rule will be available for public comment at www.regulations.gov for a period of 60 days beginning February 1, 2007. The proposal does not by itself increase the filing fees, but it is the beginning of a regulatory process by announcing an intention to change regulations.

For details, see Building an Immigration Service for the 21st Century under WHAT'S NEW on the USCIS website.