US Proposes 75% Citizenship Fee Hike, Ends Waivers

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a massive increase in the price to become a U.S. citizen, which could make the naturalisation process much more expensive for immigrants. The filing fee for Form N-400, the application for a green card, would rise 75%, and fee waivers and reduced fees would be eliminated under the proposal. The move has sparked concerns among immigration advocates and prospective applicants, who argue that the changes could place citizenship out of reach for many low-income immigrants. The proposal has not yet come into effect and is still subject to public comment.

DHS Unveils Major Changes to Citizenship Application Fees

The proposed rule, which DHS announced before it was published in the Federal Register, aims to revamp the fee system connected with naturalisation and other immigration advantages. Significant changes include an increase in the filing fee for Form N-400, the main form used to apply for United States citizenship.

Applicants who are mailing their Form N-400 are currently charged $760. The new proposal calls for a 75% increase, to $1,330. Those applying online, who pay $710, would pay $1,280.

If enacted, this would be among the highest hikes in U.S. naturalisation fees and help to significantly increase the costs of citizenship for immigrants.

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What Is Form N-400?

Lawful permanent residents, or Green Card holders, apply for U.S. citizenship via the application known as Form N-400.

Most applicants should have:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Have a Green Card Status for more than 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US Citizen)

• Meet physical presence and residency requirements

• Show understanding of the civics of the United States and English

• Demonstrate good moral behaviour.

After being approved, applicants take an oath and become U.S. citizens, who are entitled to vote, get a U.S. passport, and enjoy other legal benefits and rights.

Fee Waivers and Reduced Fees Could Disappear

In fact, perhaps even more controversial than the fee increase is DHS's plan to phase out fee waivers and reduced fee options for naturalisation applicants.

For now, some applicants of low income may be eligible to get:

• A waiver of all fees using Form I-912

• A lower fee for filing if the family income is below certain limits

The proposed rule would eliminate both options for all but most naturalisation applicants. This would mean that applicants who have successfully applied in the past would have to pay the entire application fee.

Fee waivers have been a key avenue to citizenship for many immigrants, particularly those with low incomes. The elimination of these provisions may have a big impact on getting citizenship.

Appeals and Hearing Requests Also Face Higher Costs

The proposal isn't limited to citizenship applications.

DHS is also looking to raise the fees for Form N-336, which is used by applicants to seek a hearing if their naturalisation application is rejected.

Under the proposal:

• Paper-filed Form N-336 would increase from $830 to $1,475.

• Online-filed Form N-336 would rise from $780 to $1,425.

The hikes would make it much more costly for anyone whose citizenship was rejected to challenge the decision, putting another financial burden on those seeking to become citizens.

Why Is DHS Proposing These Changes?

The fee hikes are designed to help cover the cost of processing immigration applications and administering services to naturalize residents, DHS said.

The filing fees are crucial to help the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) process immigration benefits. USCIS is funded by a small percentage of taxpayers' money, while the bulk of its funding comes from application fees paid by immigrants.

Charging more is needed to fund the agency, enhance processing systems, and make financial sustainability a reality, officials say.

Proponents of the citizenship proposal also argue that the costs of citizenship have risen over the years and need to be adjusted in the fee structure.

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Critics Warn of Reduced Access to Citizenship

Immigration advocates and community groups have voiced concerns that the proposal would deter immigrants who are eligible for citizenship from doing so.

There are many advantages to naturalisation, such as:

• Voting rights

• Protection from deportation

• The qualifications for some federal positions

• Greater opportunities for family sponsorship

• Access to a United States passport.

Some critics say that any increase in costs and loss of financial assistance programs would impact low-income candidates, seniors, refugees, and long-term residents who could already be struggling with economic issues.

In the past, some increases in fees have led to a short-term drop in applications as potential citizens have put off or even changed their minds about applying because of cost.

Naturalisation also fosters civic engagement and economic integration, so that access to citizenship is in the national interest, advocates argue.

Impact on Green Card Holders

Citizenship is the end goal of a long immigration process for many Green Card holders.

The proposed changes may have various implications:

Higher Upfront Costs

Those who were intending to apply in the coming months may have to budget for significantly greater costs if the plan comes to fruition.

Reduced Access for Low-Income Families

Some families might not be able to afford to apply unless they are able to save enough to pay the fees or have a reduced-fee option.

Increased Costs for Appeals

People who have been rejected will have much higher costs if they appeal the rejection.

Possible Surge in Applications

The introduction of proposed fee hikes in the past has been followed by a surge in applications during the period between the proposed and implemented fees, as potential applicants try to file applications under the old fees.

Public Comment Period Now Open

Importantly, this proposed rule has not yet been enacted.

DHS has initiated a public comment period to give individuals, advocacy organizations, legal groups, and other stakeholders a chance to provide their input before final decision-making.

A federal agency must consider public comments before proposing a final rule. DHS may revise, postpone, or even cancel parts of the proposal based on the feedback provided.

The agency's review process could take several months before any final rule is adopted and implemented, so current fees and waiver policies continue to apply until the final rule takes effect.

What Applicants Should Consider Now?

People wishing to become U.S. citizens should keep a close eye out for updates.

Potential applicants should:

• Discuss whether they are eligible for naturalisation.

• Compile necessary supporting papers.

• Keep up to date on DHS news.

• If prepared and eligible, think about filing earlier.

• Seek advice from competent immigration experts, where needed.

Applicants must continue to abide by the current USCIS fee schedule and application process until such changes are officially announced, as the proposal is still pending.

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Broader Implications for US Immigration Policy

The proposed fee hikes coincide with broader discussions about immigration policy, border security, citizenship fraud prevention, and funding the immigration system.

Backers say prospective beneficiaries should cover the administrative expenses for the benefits they want. But opponents argue that citizenship is a bedrock of civic engagement, and it should be affordable to eligible immigrants.

The proposal is part of an ongoing policy debate on the funding of immigration services, as well as on whether or not financial restrictions should be used to decide who gets citizenship.

The result of this proposal will influence upcoming debates on naturalisation, immigration costs, and immigrant integration initiatives, not just in the UK, but across the US as immigration continues to be a major topic in the political agenda.

Conclusion

One of the largest changes to the US citizenship process in recent years is the proposal by DHS to raise the fee for naturalisation applications by 75% and remove exemptions for the fee. The new fee is expected to significantly raise the cost of naturalisation and could impact thousands of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who are applying for citizenship. The government says the changes are needed to help USCIS run, but critics say they could put many eligible immigrants in financial difficulties. These changes are still being considered and are currently undergoing a public comment period, so applicants and immigration advocates alike will be watching to see if they will end up being a part of the U.S. immigration system.

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