Immigration Blog

US Citizenship Granted to 104 Year Old Oregon Woman

PORTLAND, Ore. - There is an old saying, "better late than never" and Marion Pringle certainly demonstrated that when she finally received proof she's a U.S. citizen...at the ripe age of 104!

She was born in Canada in 1906 and needed to renew her license to keep her medical records current.  State law in Oregon now requires proof of citizenship for a license.

Pringle didn't have it.

She moved to Portland as a girl but never got the documents the state now requires. Pringle finally proved her citizenship through Census records found by the Oregon Historical Society.

She received a surprise visit from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service officials who gave her the papers and administered the oath of citizenship as she celebrated her 104th birthday on Tuesday.

Congratulations, Marion! 

USCIS Financial Challenges Driving Possible Fee Increases

A $118 million shortfall resulting from a drop in citizenship applications and skilled worker visas is causing concern among immigrant advocate groups.  The agency, which is now required by law to be self-supporting is considering the fee increases and budget cuts next year.  The high cost of citizenship will put a strain on low and moderate income permanent residents seeking naturalization.  In addition, the shortfalls could adversely impact the agencies ability to support the possibility of legislation that could cause millions of undocumented applicants applying for legalization.  Read more in an LA Times article by Teresa Wanabe and Anne Gorman.