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More Legal Immigrants Seek US Citizenship

Tougher laws, rising fees drive increase in demand

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2007 8:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – A burgeoning number of legal immigrants are applying for US citizenship—115,000 in May, compared with 65,782 last December. The Times reports immigrants are worried about tougher citizenship tests, rising processing fees, and insecurity in the wake of the furor over the federal immigration bill.

Processing fees for naturalization jump from $400 to $675 on July 30, the Times reports. Many immigrants say they want influence in future American immigration policy.  Several groups celebrated Independence Day yesterday with swearing-in ceremonies for new citizens. In Orlando, Fla., 1,000 immigrants took the oath beneath the turrets of Cinderella's castle at Disney World.

Cristoval Cuebas, center, of Mexico, stands with 153 other former Mexican citizens during the 19th annual Fiesta of Independence after they were sworn in as new American citizens at South Mountain Community College, Wednesday, July 4, 2007, in Phoenix.  The citizenship event brought in 350 residents from 61 countries to...
Cristoval Cuebas, center, of Mexico, stands with 153 other former Mexican citizens during the 19th annual Fiesta of Independence after they were sworn in as new American citizens at South Mountain Community...   (Associated Press)
A new U.S. citizen waves a small flag during a naturalization ceremony at Walt Disney World  in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, July 4, 2007.  Over one thousand immigrants became citizens.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
A new U.S. citizen waves a small flag during a naturalization ceremony at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, July 4, 2007. Over one thousand immigrants became citizens.(AP Photo/John...   (Associated Press)
Bianera Petithomme, center, of Haiti, waves a flag and cheers after becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, July 4, 2007. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Bianera Petithomme, center, of Haiti, waves a flag and cheers after becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, July 4, 2007. (AP...   (Associated Press)
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