INS issues rule reducing fees for border crossing cards for Mexican children
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 15, No. 3, May 10, 2001

The Immigration and Naturalization Service has published a final regulation authorizing consular offices to collect reduced fees for border crossing cards issued to Mexicans aged 15 or younger. The new rule applies to applicants for border crossing cards who submit their applications in Mexico. The applicant must have at least one parent or guardian who has a visa or who is applying for a machine-readable combined border crossing card and nonimmigrant visa.

The rule, which was published on Apr. 2, 2001, is necessitated by a change in the law authorizing a reduction in fees. The fee is to be set by the Department of State and will cover only the cost of manufacturing the cards. The combined card will be valid for 10 years or until the child reaches the age of 15. As the rule provides for a reduction in fees, the INS considers it a benefit and has published it as a final rule. The INS will not solicit comments on the rule.

66 Fed. Reg. 17510-11 (Apr. 2, 2001).