The price of being a citizen: the historic naturalization fee increase hitting Latinos

Becoming a U.S. citizen is the goal of millions of permanent residents. It is the final step of a path that many Latino families have walked with effort for years. However, that dream is about to become much more expensive.

Payment process

On June 23, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would increase the naturalization application fee (Form N-400) by more than 75 percent and eliminate fee waivers and the reduced fee for most applicants. If approved, the cost of applying for citizenship would go from $760 to $1,330 for paper filings and to $1,280 for online applications.

At RISE Immigration Services, we are not lawyers, but we know that this change directly affects the pockets and aspirations of our community. Here we explain what is happening, who it affects, and what you can do.

What exactly changes with the DHS proposal?

The DHS proposal, published in the Federal Register, includes several changes that directly impact those seeking citizenship.

The increase in the Form N-400 fee

Currently, the naturalization application fee is $760** (paper) and **$710 (online). The new proposal would raise it to $1,330** for paper submissions and **$1,280 for online submissions. This represents an increase of approximately $570 and, in percentage terms, an increase of up to 80 percent.

The elimination of the reduced fee

Currently, applicants with household incomes at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can pay a reduced fee of $380 instead of the full amount. The proposal would eliminate this option entirely.

The end of fee waivers

The proposal would also eliminate the possibility of requesting a fee waiver for Form N-400 and Form N-336 (appeal of an adverse naturalization determination). The only exception would be active members and veterans of the Armed Forces.

The increase in the appeal fee

If USCIS denies your naturalization application and you decide to appeal, the Form N-336 fee would also increase. The proposal would raise it from $830** to **$1,475 for paper and $1,425 for online, an increase of up to 83 percent.

Why is this news important for the Latino community?

Latino permanent residents are one of the groups most affected by this proposal. Many of them have completed the green card process, pay taxes, have stable jobs, and have built their lives in the United States. Now they face a significant financial obstacle to taking the final step toward citizenship.

A revealing fact: in a 2013 survey of Latinos in California, half of those eligible to naturalize said cost was the main reason they had not applied for citizenship. If the cost doubles, that obstacle becomes even harder to overcome.

Organizations like UnidosUS and NALEO have expressed concern, noting that the proposal "moves the goalpost" for people who have done everything right and now cannot afford the final price.

The impact on the most vulnerable

The elimination of fee waivers disproportionately affects low-income applicants, many of them construction workers, agricultural workers, domestic workers, and service industry workers. For these people, paying more than $1,000 for citizenship can mean months of saving or, simply, the impossibility of applying.

DHS acknowledges in its own document that eliminating reduced fees and waivers "could lead some eligible applicants to postpone their naturalization process." In other words, the agency knows that this increase will result in fewer people becoming citizens.

What can you do if you are thinking about applying for citizenship?

Apply before the increase takes effect

The proposal is not yet a final rule. The public comment period closed on August 24, 2026. If USCIS publishes the final rule, the increase will likely take effect on a future date. If you are ready to apply for citizenship, consider doing so before the increase is implemented.

Check if you still qualify for a waiver or reduced fee

As long as the proposal is not a final rule, current rules remain in effect. If your household income is at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can still request the reduced fee of $380. If your income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you receive benefits like Medicaid or SNAP, you might qualify for a full waiver. Consult with an immigration attorney to evaluate your case.

Prepare for the updated civics test

In addition to the fee increase, USCIS has already increased the difficulty of the civics test. Since October 2025, the question bank has 128 questions instead of 100, and you must correctly answer at least 12 of the 20 questions the officer asks you. Prepare in advance.

Consider the long-term impact

Citizenship not only gives you the right to vote and protection from deportation. It also allows you to petition for more family members, access certain federal jobs, and travel with a U.S. passport. For many families, the cost of naturalization is a long-term investment that is worth it, even if the price is high.

Clear information, not legal advice

At RISE Immigration Services, we are not lawyers, but we are here to inform you. This content is a guide based on the proposed rule published by DHS in the Federal Register and reliable sources. For specific advice about your case, always consult with a licensed immigration attorney. The Latino community grows stronger when we support each other with honest information.

References

• Federal Register. Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments. 23 de junio de 2026.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS Announces FY 2026 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees. 20 de noviembre de 2025.

• AILA. Featured Issue: Threats to Citizenship and Naturalization. 30 de junio de 2026.

• U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Senators Cortez Masto, Hirono, Colleagues Raise Alarms About Increased Naturalization Fees. 17 de agosto de 2026.

• La Nación. Más de US$1000: las nuevas tarifas para la ciudadanía estadounidense, actualizadas por el DHS. 27 de junio de 2026.

• UnidosUS. Comments on Proposed Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments. 21 de agosto de 2026.

• U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. Padilla, Hirono, Democratic Colleagues Sound Alarm on New Barriers to Naturalization. 14 de agosto de 2026.