INS to Charge Paperwork Fee at Borders
Foreigners who require U.S. documents to cross into the United States from Canada and Mexico soon will have to pay a fee, the Immigration and Naturalization Service announced Friday.
Currently, the INS isn’t charging fees for the issuance of border crossing cards and other travel documents granting special privileges for those crossing into the United States from Mexico and Canada.
But as of Oct. 9, the INS will charge processing fees ranging from $4 to $32 for six different forms allowing for extended stays, broadened areas of travel and boat landing permits.
The revenue, estimated at nearly $18 million next year, will be dedicated for improvements at land-border ports of entry. The INS estimates the charges will allow it to hire 185 more inspectors and support staff to issue the documents.
The new levies reflect federal policies shifting costs for certain benefits to the consumer, INS officials said.
The latest regulation allows INS border officials to waive any of the service charges in cases of hardship.
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