"There are people who flew to the United States so they could apply and had their families fly back. They paid attorney fees," Williams said.

AILA's sister organization, the American Immigration Law Foundation, is considering a lawsuit against the two federal agencies, Williams said.

"We've gone back now about 25 years and have never found a situation in which a bulletin was revised after the first of the month," she said.

Neither Royster nor Wright would comment on potential litigation. Wright suggested that anyone who filed an application on July 2 contact their local CIS office to find out the status.

The fee to apply for a green card increases July 30 from $395 to $1,010, including a fingerprinting fee.

Kapadia says he isn't worried about the fee hike so much as the freedom he'd receive with permanent residency. He'd be able to travel internationally without restrictions, and establish residency to study for a master's degree. He and his wife would be able to remain in the country if he loses his job, and they'd eventually be able to apply for citizenship.

"It's kind of a golden cage we are in. We are free, we are in America, but we are stopped from doing anything," he said. "I am looking for the American dream, but it is looking like more of a mirage."

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Contributing: The Associated Press

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com