Finger Lakes Today

Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C-LaFayette) recently commented on the new federal filing fees for employing immigrant workers. This new policy, which went into effect on April 1, will require employers with more than 25 employees to pay an additional $600 fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services when they file certain employment-based immigration benefit requests. This marks the first increase in this program in over seven years.

Lemondes believes this new protocol puts unnecessary strain on local businesses and will stifle organic growth. “Local businesses are once again being punished for simply trying to stay afloat,” said Lemondes. “I’ve talked to countless business owners across my district and they all tell me the same thing: they can’t find anyone to fill their open positions. Now, when they finally find someone willing to work, Uncle Sam charges them a $600 fee. This will only lead to more unemployment and higher costs for consumers as employers will be forced to raise prices to make up for these new fees. It’s time we start protecting and supporting our local businesses instead of putting roadblocks up at every turn.”