Proposed Rate Increases on Immigration Records

 A substantial fee hike is proposed for genealogical records within the custody of the United States Citizen and Immigration Services ("USCIS"). Your voice is needed.

An overview of the "Genealogy Program" of the USCIS can be viewed here.

You can read about the issues on the website of Records Not Revenue and watch a video by JewishGen.

Whether or not you plan on needing these records, this situation merits your action. Voicing opposition to the USCIS reinforces that people are aware of the holdings and obligations of this institution.

Visit this page at Records Not Revenue for the steps and links. They recommend writing in your own words, rather than using a form letter identical to submissions by others. The deadline is March 13, 2023.

About five years ago, New York City enacted further restrictions on obtaining vital records. This was after public outcry.

You can further push your impact by writing to your elected officials at the federal level. These would be your two state senators and one representative. (Residents of Washington DC, which is not a state, have no such recourse.) To identify these people and their contact information, visit the official website of Congress.

I live in the 11th Congressional District in New Jersey. The officials below are my designated contacts for federal issues. If you contact senators or representatives from other districts, you might receive a response redirecting you to contact the members of Congress for your district.

Map of the 11th Congressional District in New Jersey
with the corresponding Members of Congress

Aside from this federal issue, you can use this strategy to try to ease access to records in your home state. New Jersey is home to millions and is one of the thirteen original colonies, thus rich in records of value to genealogists and historians. Those of you who attempt research in this State quickly find out that records are mostly not online.

At the official site of the New Jersey State Legislature, you can find your elected officials in the Senate and Assembly. I reside in the 40th District.

Map of the 40th Legislative District of New Jersey
with the corresponding senator and assemblymen