NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2026 — The Trump administration has proposed increasing the fee to apply for U.S. citizenship by approximately $570, a move that would raise the cost of naturalization to $1,330.
The proposal, published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is part of a broader effort to overhaul immigration fees and expand scrutiny of applicants seeking immigration benefits. If approved, the change would significantly increase the cost of filing Form N-400, the application used by lawful permanent residents to become U.S. citizens.
The proposal is currently open for public comment for 60 days before any final rule can be implemented.
According to DHS, the increase is necessary to ensure that citizenship applications fully cover the costs associated with processing and adjudication. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for handling immigration benefits, is funded primarily through application fees rather than congressional appropriations.
In the proposed regulation, DHS noted that previous administrations intentionally kept citizenship fees lower than the actual cost of processing applications in order to encourage naturalization and immigrant integration.
“Although DHS has historically limited the fees for citizenship-related applications to fulfill previous administrations’ priorities of encouraging naturalization, DHS no longer believes naturalization benefit requests should get lower fees at the potential expense of other immigration benefits,” the agency stated.
The proposal reflects a broader shift in immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which has sought to tighten both legal and illegal immigration pathways while increasing vetting standards for applicants.
Critics argue that the fee increase would create unnecessary barriers for immigrants who are already legally residing in the United States.
Naturalization has long been encouraged by the U.S. government as the final step in the immigration process. Most applicants become eligible for citizenship after holding a green card for three or five years, depending on their circumstances. Applicants must generally demonstrate proficiency in English, pass a civics examination, establish good moral character, and meet other eligibility requirements.
The proposed fee increase comes as the administration expands its review of citizenship applications. USCIS has intensified scrutiny of the “good moral character” requirement and revived a largely dormant practice known as neighborhood checks, under which officials may interview neighbors, coworkers, and other acquaintances as part of the vetting process.
The administration has also increased efforts to identify and denaturalize individuals accused of obtaining U.S. citizenship through fraud or by concealing disqualifying information during the application process.
For many immigrants, citizenship provides important benefits, including the right to vote, protection from deportation, eligibility for certain federal jobs, and the ability to sponsor additional family members for immigration.
Immigrant advocacy groups are expected to oppose the proposed increase, arguing that higher costs could discourage eligible permanent residents from becoming citizens. Supporters of the proposal, however, contend that applicants should bear the full cost of the services they receive and that USCIS should not subsidize one category of immigration benefits at the expense of others.
The proposed rule has not yet taken effect. Following the public comment period, DHS will review feedback before deciding whether to finalize the increase.
