The Trump administration has proposed a significant citizenship fees increase that would raise the cost of naturalization applications by as much as 80 percent while eliminating reduced fees for low-income applicants. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and has drawn immediate criticism from immigration advocates who say the changes would create barriers for immigrants seeking to complete their path to citizenship.
Under the proposed changes, applicants who currently pay $760 for in-person naturalization would see that fee jump to $1,330, representing a 75 percent increase. Those who apply online, currently paying $710, would face fees of $1,280 under the new proposal, an 80 percent hike.
Main Developments
The proposal targets multiple fee categories beyond the standard naturalization application. Applicants who are denied citizenship and seek a rehearing would also face substantially higher costs. The current in-person rehearing fee of $830 would increase to $1,475, a 78 percent jump. Online rehearing fees would rise even more dramatically, from $780 to $1,475, representing an 83 percent increase.
Perhaps most significantly for vulnerable populations, the proposal would eliminate the reduced fee option currently available to low-income applicants. Under existing rules, people with incomes 400 percent below the federal poverty level can apply for naturalization at a reduced rate of $380. The proposal would eliminate this reduced fee entirely, along with fee waivers for very poor applicants.
The Department of Homeland Security stated in its filing that it believes there is insufficient justification for the reduced naturalization fee. The administration argued that while naturalization is a unique benefit, so are other benefit categories, and the potential benefits to and from newly naturalized citizens do not justify burdening other benefit requestors with higher fees to subsidize the reduced fee.
What We Know So Far
The proposal was officially published in the Federal Register on June 23, 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is largely funded by fee revenue, which the agency uses to process applications and conduct operations. Congress recently approved a $70 billion package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, though USCIS relies primarily on applicant fees rather than congressional appropriations.
The announcement comes approximately two weeks before the United States 250th birthday celebration, a timing that immigration advocates have noted given the historical significance of immigration to the nation.
Current fee structure includes $760 for in-person naturalization applications and $710 for online applications. The reduced fee of $380 is available to applicants with incomes 400 percent below the federal poverty level. Rehearing fees for denied applications currently stand at $830 for in-person submissions and $780 for online submissions.
Proposed fee structure would set in-person naturalization applications at $1,330 and online applications at $1,280. The reduced fee program would be eliminated entirely. Rehearing fees for both in-person and online submissions would be set at $1,475.
Immigration Advocates Respond
Immigration advocacy organizations have responded critically to the proposed fee increases. Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, said the near-doubling of the fees creates yet one more undue hurdle that burdens those who only want to be recognized in the last step of their American Dream.
Awawdeh further stated that for immigrants who have followed all the required steps in the citizenship process, increased fees are a burden and for some will effectively shut the door to attaining the promise of America.
Allen Shao King, Legal services director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, has also been identified as among those concerned about the proposal’s impact on immigrant communities.
What Happens Next
The public comment period for this proposal is now open and will remain so until August 24, 2026. During this time, members of the public, advocacy organizations, legal groups, and other stakeholders can submit their feedback on the proposed fee changes through the Federal Register process.
It is important to note that this is a proposal and not a final rule. The fee increases are not currently in effect, and the administration will need to consider public comments before any final determination is made. The timeline for when any final decision might be implemented has not been specified in the proposal.
Important Details About the Proposed Changes
The proposed fee increases would affect several key areas of the naturalization process. For standard applications, in-person applicants would see a 75 percent increase from $760 to $1,330. Online applicants would see an 80 percent increase from $710 to $1,280.
For rehearing requests following denied applications, in-person applicants would see a 78 percent increase from $830 to $1,475. Online applicants would see an 83 percent increase from $780 to $1,475.
The elimination of the reduced fee program would remove the $380 option currently available to applicants with incomes 400 percent below the federal poverty level. Fee waivers for very poor applicants would also be eliminated under the proposal.
The administration has justified these changes by arguing that USCIS needs adequate funding to operate and that reduced fees place an unfair burden on other applicants who must pay full price. Critics counter that the increases would price many immigrants out of the citizenship process entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much would citizenship application fees increase under this proposal?
The proposal would raise naturalization fees from $760 to $1,330 for in-person applications, a 75 percent increase. Online applications would rise from $710 to $1,280, an 80 percent increase.
Are the new citizenship fees already in effect?
No, this is a proposal that has been published in the Federal Register for public comment. The fee increases are not final and are not currently in effect. The public comment period runs until August 24, 2026.
What happens to the reduced fee for low-income applicants?
The proposal would eliminate the reduced fee of $380 currently available to applicants with incomes 400 percent below the federal poverty level. Fee waivers for very poor applicants would also be eliminated.
How can I submit comments on this proposal?
Public comments can be submitted through the Federal Register process. The deadline for submitting comments is August 24, 2026.
Why is the administration proposing these fee increases?
The Department of Homeland Security stated that it believes there is insufficient justification for reduced fees and that the potential benefits to newly naturalized citizens do not justify burdening other benefit requestors with higher fees to subsidize reduced fees. USCIS is largely funded by fee revenue.
The proposal remains open for public input through August 24, 2026, allowing stakeholders and community members to submit their perspectives on the proposed changes before any final determination is made by the administration.
