INS = new DMV

The government organization that handles immigration USCIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services, formerly known as INS, or Immigration & Naturalization Service... a dumb name change by the way, because people STILL think USCIS sucks) proposed that fees be increased:

... an application for permanent residency (green card) would increase from $325 to $905 and a citizenship application would virtually double from $330 to $595. Numerous other fees, including fingerprinting, increase as well.

Now, let me get this STRAIGHT. The government WANTS people to become US Citizens, yet they're charging a THOUSAND bucks to the group of people that is composed primarily of low income earners.

Hmm. I'm no brainiac but this to me, sounds ironic.

Another thing... WHY ON EARTH does an application cost $1000? Are the applicants getting a plasma TV with the application?

Yes yes. I heard arguments that this government service is totally for the benefit of the applicant and that these fees are there so that the process works.

BULL CRAP. And lots of it.

What about taxes immigrants pay? How are these fees being utilized? If the applicant is turned down, there is NO refund. To appeal the rejection, you have to pay MORE. This is a perfect example... and I do mean PERFECT example of assenine government inefficiency.

How is it that companies like Walmart, Starbucks, etc. etc that receive MILLIONS of applications (say, for jobs) are able to process them for pennies in literally minutes while the USCIS makes the applicant wait for YEARS yet charge them up their asses?

I'll probably hear this shit from the USCIS rep:

1. We have to do security clearance. This costs money.
2. We have processes in place. This costs money.
3. We have technology to upkeep. This costs money
   
4. We have people to pay. This costs money.
   
5. We have dildos stuck up in our asses. This costs money.

Ok I'll give them #1 and #5.

But what about f*cking the incredible waiting period? A lot of these USCIS forms are STILL on paper. This is year f*cking 2007! Go hire some engineers in China or India and make a functional website so you don't have to waste time and money on PAPER! When you have paper, you need more labor... more labor is more cost.

Technology is GOOD b/c it's fast, efficient, AND you can have better security control. You don't believe me? Why the HELL do you check your bank balance on internet if you DON'T? Why the hell do you buy crap from Amazon, eBay, etc etc and give them your CREDIT CARD and SOCIAL SECURITY number if you don't?

Yes, I do understand that you're gonna have ENGINEERS who are paid HIGHLY to maintain technology. So what? Better to have a couple of highly paid workers who make your system smooth & efficient rather than 10,000 MORONS who basically are there to shift paper. And the worst thing about all this is.. when applicants call in to ask, it's JUST like calling any other government organization. You get one of these responses:

1. That's not my department. Let me transfer you over to another moron who doesn't know shit.
2. I can't do that. That's not our policy b/c my boss is an idiot that's been here for YEARS yet still he doesn't know shit.
3. You're gonna have to mail us that request b/c we're gonna use that as toilet paper to wipe shit off our asses.
4. I can't check that. You're gonna have to wait b/c until I actually get a job I like so someone ELSE can help you with your shit.
   
5. You're gonna have to wait as the forms are still being processed by other morons who think I am processing your shit.

*sigh*

That was a lot of shit.

This is INHERENT problem in an organization (business, government, school, whatever) where people have NO accountability. When was the last time USCIS, DMV, or IRS asked you if you were happy with their service? No accountability = Crap service b/c there is no need to improve their service with respect to time, cost, or customer satisfaction. Higher fees? For what? It's not a MONEY issue that USCIS has.. it's the dumb ass management. Throw money at a system that has inherent flaws is giving more alcohol to an alcoholic, hoping that he/she'd recover soon.

No accountability almost always means that people are basically there just to cover their asses. They don't want to make a scene or fuss b/c they just care about keeping their shitty jobs and paycheck.

R-I-D-I-C-U-L-O-U-S.

I would consider getting a job at USCIS as the director. I'd ask for $0 pay but a three year commitment. I would go in like freakin' Napoleon w/both guns blazin'. It would be a slaughter and the pink slip is the weapon of my choice.

I would run it like it's a business and the world will be a better place.

For now, at least we can all take some action: http://www.acorn.org/index.php?id=4189