January 27 2003

Today the INS issued a memo to the public that included a schedule of new, lower filing fees. All applications received by the INS on or after January 24, 2003 are subject to the lower fees. Those persons who submitted applications on or after January 24, 2003, with the old fees, should expect a refund from the INS for the difference.

The fees were lowered because the old fees included a surcharge to cover the costs of asylum and refugee services, and this surcharge was eliminated with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

To see the new schedule of filing fees, go to the INS website at www.ins.gov.