Comment Submitted by Emily York Hughes
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: An individual is opposing the proposed fee increase for Form I-246, arguing that the $600 jump is a severe financial burden for applicants. They also contend that the nearly 400% increase is disproportionate to inflation and lacks a demonstrated need for improved processing efficiency.
I am writing to submit public comments regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to increase the fee for Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755.
I strongly oppose this drastic fee increase for the following reasons:
1. Severe Financial Difficulty and Burden
Increasing the filing fee by $600 imposes a financial burden that most can not meet at such short notice.
2. Unjustified Increase Relative to Inflation
While ICE notes that the fee has not been adjusted since 1989, a jump of nearly 400% is extreme and disproportionate to cumulative inflation over the last 37 years. It is particularly unreasonable to impose such an exponential spike without demonstrating a corresponding agency need or an improvement in the processing times or adjudication efficiency of these urgent applications.
For these reasons, I urge DHS to reconsider and withdraw this proposed rule and maintain the current $155 fee.