Trump Administration Proposes Steep 75% Fee Hike for U.S. Citizenship Applications
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Applying for U.S. citizenship could soon become significantly more expensive under a new rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday. The regulation, posted on the Federal Register, would raise the cost of naturalization applications by 75%, marking one of the most substantial fee increases in recent years.
The proposed rule would increase the standard paper filing fee from $760 to $1,330—a jump of $570. Additionally, the fee for requesting reconsideration before an appeals board would rise from $830 to $1,475, representing a 77.7% increase. The rule would also eliminate most fee waivers, though current and former members of the U.S. armed forces would remain exempt from paying the fees.
Immigration lawyers and advocates have criticized the proposal, viewing it as part of a broader effort to restrict legal immigration. Rosanna Berardi, an immigration attorney based in Buffalo, New York, told ABC News: "This is entirely consistent with the Trump administration's broader message of making legal immigration harder, more expensive, and less accessible, not just illegal immigration. When you simultaneously raise fees, eliminate waivers, and add new vetting layers like neighborhood checks and expanded 'good moral character' scrutiny, you are not streamlining a system. You are building walls inside it."
The Department of Homeland Security defended the proposed increases, stating that current fees do not fully cover the cost "of thoroughly adjudicating applications for naturalization, including necessary screening and vetting checks, which USCIS is continuously enhancing consistent with the President's Executive Orders." Unlike most government agencies, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is primarily funded by application fees rather than taxpayer dollars, making it reliant on such revenue to sustain its operations.
The proposed rule would take effect at least 60 days after its posting, following a mandatory public comment period. During this time, stakeholders and members of the public can submit their feedback on the proposed changes.
The fee hike comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration under the Trump administration, which has already increased vetting for those applying for lawful permanent residence—commonly known as a green card—and citizenship. These measures include expanded background checks and social media screenings for applicants.
Becoming a U.S. citizen is already a lengthy and rigorous process. According to the Department of Homeland Security, applicants must hold a green card or be married to a U.S. citizen, undergo a thorough background investigation, attend an in-person interview, and pass a civics test demonstrating knowledge of U.S. history and government.
Critics argue that the proposed fee increase would place an additional burden on low-income immigrants and families, potentially discouraging qualified individuals from pursuing citizenship. Supporters, however, contend that the adjustment is necessary to ensure the system remains adequately funded and that thorough vetting continues.
If enacted, the rule would mark one of the steepest cost increases for naturalization in recent history, further shaping the landscape of U.S. immigration policy. (Source abc news)
