Advocates Debate Rise in Fees for US Residency, Citizenship (2/3)

USCIS spokesman Chris Bentley, "We realize that anytime we increase the fees that there is a burden there, there is pain that is caused along the way. However, to be able to remain a world class service provider, to be able to get the services and benefits in a timely manner to the people who deserve them, we simply need the resources to be able to make that happen."

Bentley adds that refugees and asylum-seekers will remain exempt from charge, and some fees can be reduced for residency and citizenship applicants facing dire economic hardship.

But if USCIS is constrained by being entirely dependent on fees for operating costs, then it is time to change the system, according to Donald Kerwin of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

"We think the Citizenship is a national good. We think it is an important thing for our country. So we think that to fix the system, to reduce backlogs and improve technology, there needs to be appropriated monies for this. It needs to go beyond the fee-based system. "

Some in Congress counter that it would be wrong to shift the financial burden to U.S. taxpayers.