Nowadays the term inflation is widely-spread in economic and financial spheres as well as in everyday life of common people. Furthermore, inflation worries not only the USA, but many other European and Asian countries. It is known that many definitions of inflation exist. For example, inflation is defined as mechanism leading to changes in population’s income, prices and resources. One more possible explanation is that inflation is general increase in overall prices over the particular period.
It goes without saying that high inflation rates prevent economic growth, because the prices and fees, especially, immigration application fees, are increasing along with citizenship application fee, naturalization fee, etc. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that increased inflation rates are preventing immigrant from filling application forms. I think it is rather interesting to define how exactly inflation influences immigration and American Dream being so popular among population. American dream suggests that the USA population should work hard to achieve the better life, earnings, conditions, etc.
American dream is living in a perfect house with two children and without financial problems. Nevertheless the American dream was strongly criticized because of it accent only on material possessions as the highest happiness without paying attention to the ideas of intellectual wealth and development. American dream attracted many entrepreneurial people from India and China to seek fortune in USA. Thus it is apparent that American Dream that has led to immigration flows. Despite the mentioned facts the number of applications isn’t expected to drop.
According to last experiences, immigrants will rush to apply before the new fee structure will come into force. The article “Inflation Hits the American Dream” by John Simerman identifies how inflation fluctuation affects the immigration rates. Further, the article provides detailed overview of announcements and actions taken by the US government to prevent sharp increases in inflation rates. Simerman admits that Bush administration speaks about significant increases in immigration application fees up to 66%. The article contains up-to-date information about current fees increases.
For example, the citizenship application fee is expected to rise up to 80% i. e. $595 compared with previously fixed $330. Speaking about naturalization fee, it is expected to increase as well. If the family consists of four members, naturalization fee will be about $2,400. Immigrant’s desire to receive a permanent residential status will cost him $905, though it is suggested that such increased should be lowered: “’I thought we were going to fine the illegal aliens, not the legal ones”. The author admits that Congress hasn’t approved higher fees.
The fees are expected to increase in June 2007 after the fixed “120-day public comment and response period”. Such increases in immigration fees have led to about $1. 2 million application of backlog. The author claims that new fee structure because of inflation increase will negatively affect about thirty types of applications, though one positive moment is that “visa application fee for victims of human trafficking will be eliminated”. According to officials, such fee structure would better cover the costs of processing immigrants.
Actually, new fees will ensure additional $1 billion, cut processing times, improve security and eliminate paper-driven records systems. Moreover, fee waivers will be offered for poor people. Nevertheless, such increase in immigration fee will reduce the number of immigrants who are willing to join American Dream life. Increased fees raised sour feelings among immigrants, because it is similar to “hurting them and telling them to get out of the country”. The author notes that many immigrants are holding off applying because of increased fees.