The Trump administration unveiled a plan Monday that would charge legal immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship $570 more in application fees while eliminating waivers and fee reductions for low-income applicants. The proposed regulation will enter a 60-day public comment period before taking effect, giving practitioners a critical window to advise clients and potentially submit feedback.
What changed
USCIS would increase citizenship application fees from $760 to $1,330 for paper applications and from $710 to $1,280 for online filings. Application fees to request reconsideration of a citizenship denial would jump by $645.
The plan eliminates fee waivers for citizenship cases, as well as a fee reduction option for immigrants whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty line. Fee exemptions for service members seeking citizenship would remain in place.
The public will be allowed to submit comments for or against the changes over a 60-day window. The changes won’t take effect immediately, since they’re part of a proposed regulation that still has to undergo further steps in the federal government’s rulemaking process.
Why it matters
For clients approaching or eligible for naturalization, the timing shift is dramatic. The 75% fee increase on the primary application — and elimination of waivers for low-income applicants — will force difficult conversations:
- Low-income clients: Those earning 400% or below the federal poverty line can no longer request a fee reduction (Form I-942). They must either pay the full $1,330, request a fee waiver (separate process) before it ends, or delay filing until rules finalize or change.
- Early filing pressure: Clients now have incentive to file I-640 or I-N-400 before the rule takes effect, if they are eligible and ready. That window closes once the public comment period ends and DHS finalizes the rule.
- Service member exception: If your client is active-duty military, the fee exemption remains; emphasize this if applicable.
DHS said the fee hikes are necessary to fully subsidize the citizenship application process, especially in light of Trump administration efforts to more heavily scrutinize applicants. This reflects broader policy shifts: the second Trump administration has sought to restrict and tighten access to legal immigration benefits, and for citizenship applications, the administration has moved to more aggressively probe the “good moral character” requirement.
Way forward
- Advise clients immediately: If a client is I-485 pending and reaching the 3- or 5-year green card anniversary, discuss timing before the fee rule is final. Filing sooner at the current fee may be better than filing later at $1,330.
- Clarify waiver/reduction status: Ask clients whether they’ve already submitted an I-942 fee waiver request or if they qualify. Those requests may be prioritized or grandfathered if submitted before the new rule takes effect.
- Flag the 60-day comment window: If you represent organizations, civil-rights groups, or large client bases affected by the fee increase, consider submitting a comment to the Federal Register during the notice-and-comment period. Instructions will be published when the NPRM appears.
- Monitor the Federal Register: Subscribe to Federal Register notices for USCIS rules to catch the official proposed rule text, comment deadline, and any court challenges or delays.
Disclaimer
Fola is a software company, not a law firm, and this article is not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to advise on your specific situation, eligibility, and filing strategy. USCIS policy changes without notice; verify this information against the source linked above and official USCIS guidance before relying on it in client matters.