Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security published a regulatory proposal in late June that would raise the N‑400 naturalization fee by $570 to $1,330 for paper filings and $1,280 for online filings.
- The rule would also raise Form N‑336 reconsideration fees by about $645 to roughly $1,475 for paper and $1,425 for online submissions.
- Most existing fee waivers and reduced‑fee programs, including the reduced rate for applicants at or below 400% of the federal poverty line, would be eliminated while statutory exemptions for current and former military remain intact.
- The proposal opened a 60‑day Federal Register comment period after which DHS will review submissions and may revise or finalize the rule before any change takes effect.
- Former DHS and USCIS officials and immigrant advocates warn the changes could create new financial barriers to citizenship for lower‑income lawful permanent residents and reflect a broader tightening of legal‑immigration policy that previously relied on cross‑subsidies and lower naturalization fees.