US Citizenship Application Fee

After living in a small Caribbean island for the greater part of my life, my mother and I became legal residents of the United States of America. This opened a world of opportunity to us that we didn't have before. For me, it meant the ability for me to have a successful job, the ability to understand my own identity openly and without fear of retailation, and the ability to be as religious as I personally choose. I've been a legal resident of this great country, paid my taxes and built my life here, and am now able to apply to be a citizen.

I worry that given what has been promised over the past few months, the eligibility requirements for naturalization will change if I wait until my tax refund comes in, and I'll be deported - the oppression (personal and religious) and lack of opportunity (employment and contact) back in my home country looms over my head more and more as a bisexual woman with invisible disabilities. Believe me when I tell you it's not all palm trees and pina coladas on the beach.

Each time I've tried to save the money myself I've had emergencies that have forced me to re-route the funding to cover basic bills - Health issues, rent, utilites, food etc. I have a job that allows me to meet those basic needs well enough, but remain unable to save anything - I very literally live paycheck to paycheck.

I have tried to avoid asking for help, but I'm left no choice... I have worked hard for my small slice of the American Dream, and I am asking all of you for your help in leveling up as it were. I want to be able to fully participate in every part of this great country's future without the constant fear that it will all fall out from under me. No matter how much or how little you can help me, I will quite literally owe you my life here in this country. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.