Trump’s Proposed Rule Could Nearly Double U.S. Citizenship Costs: What Green Card Holders Need to Know
Thousands of lawful permanent residents (green card holders), including many Kenyans living in the United States, could soon face significantly higher costs to become U.S. citizens under a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The proposed regulation, introduced by DHS under President Donald Trump’s administration, would dramatically increase the filing fees for naturalization while eliminating fee discounts and waivers that have helped lower-income immigrants obtain U.S. citizenship.
If approved, the changes would represent one of the largest increases in naturalization costs in recent years, potentially making the path to American citizenship more expensive for millions of immigrants.
Who Will Be Affected?
The proposal primarily affects:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
- Immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship through Form N-400
- Low-income applicants who currently qualify for reduced filing fees
- Applicants appealing denied citizenship applications
- Families planning multiple citizenship applications
However, active-duty U.S. military personnel and veterans would continue receiving exemptions from certain filing fees.
What Changes Are Being Proposed?
According to DHS, several major fee increases are being proposed.
1. Citizenship Application Fees Would Increase
Current Fees:
Paper Filing: $760
Online Filing: $710
Proposed Fees:
Paper Filing: $1,330
Online Filing: $1,280
This represents approximately a 75% to 80% increase.
2. Reduced Fees for Low-Income Applicants Would End
Currently, applicants with household incomes up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can qualify for a reduced filing fee of $380.
The proposed rule would eliminate this option entirely.
Many immigrant families that relied on this discount would now have to pay the full filing fee.
3. Fee Waivers Would Be Eliminated
At present, many applicants experiencing financial hardship can request fee waivers for naturalization.
Under the proposed regulation:
General fee waivers would no longer be available.
Fee waivers for Form N-336 (Request for Hearing on a Naturalization Decision) would also end.
The only major exceptions would be:
Active-duty U.S. military members
Military veterans eligible under existing federal law
4. Appeals Would Become Much More Expensive
Applicants seeking reconsideration after a citizenship denial would also see significant increases.
Current paper filing fee:
$830
Proposed paper filing fee:
$1,475
For many immigrants, appealing an unfavorable decision could become financially out of reach.
Why Is DHS Proposing Higher Fees?
The Department of Homeland Security says the proposed fee adjustments are intended to ensure that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fully recovers the cost of providing immigration services.
Unlike many federal agencies, USCIS receives most of its funding through application fees rather than congressional appropriations.
Officials argue that increased operational costs, technology modernization, fraud prevention, and growing administrative expenses require updated fee structures.
Supporters believe the changes will improve the agency’s financial stability.
Critics argue that higher costs could discourage eligible immigrants from becoming U.S. citizens.
Why This Matters to the Kenyan Diaspora
The proposal is especially significant for Kenyans living in the United States who have been planning to naturalize.
Many permanent residents delay filing due to financial obligations, including:
- College tuition
- Mortgage payments
- Family support in Kenya
- Medical expenses
- Business investments
A filing fee exceeding $1,300 per applicant could substantially increase the financial burden on families.
For example:
A family of four applying together could spend more than $5,000 in filing fees alone, excluding legal costs, biometrics, document preparation, and citizenship test preparation.
Could the Proposal Still Change?
Yes.
The fee increases are currently part of a proposed rule.
Before becoming final:
- The proposal will undergo a public comment period.
- DHS will review submitted comments.
- A final regulation must be published.
- The effective implementation date will then be announced.
The final version may differ from the current proposal depending on public feedback and administrative review.
Fresh Statistics
According to USCIS:
- More than 9 million lawful permanent residents are currently eligible to become U.S. citizens.
- Hundreds of thousands of naturalization applications are processed annually.
- USCIS is primarily funded through immigration filing fees rather than taxpayer funding.
Naturalization remains one of the most important milestones for immigrants seeking voting rights, greater travel flexibility, protection from deportation, and eligibility for certain federal employment opportunities.
What Should Applicants Do?
Immigration experts encourage eligible green card holders to:
- Monitor official USCIS announcements.
- Consider filing sooner if they already qualify.
- Prepare financial documentation early.
- Seek legal advice if they anticipate complications.
- Avoid scams claiming immediate fee changes before the rule becomes final.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the new citizenship fee already in effect?
No. The proposal has not yet been finalized.
How much would U.S. citizenship cost under the proposal?
- Paper filing: $1,330
- Online filing: $1,280
Will low-income applicants still receive discounted fees?
No. The proposal would eliminate the current reduced-fee option.
Can applicants still request fee waivers?
Generally, no. Most fee waivers would be eliminated except for certain military applicants.
Will appeal fees also increase?
Yes. Appeals through Form N-336 would rise from $830 to $1,475 for paper filings.
Who is exempt from the new fee rules?
Active-duty military personnel and eligible veterans would continue receiving certain exemptions.
Conclusion
If finalized, the Trump administration’s proposed DHS rule would significantly reshape the cost of becoming a U.S. citizen. For many immigrants—including thousands of Kenyans living in the United States—the higher fees, elimination of discounts, and removal of fee waivers could make naturalization substantially more expensive.
As the proposal moves through the federal rulemaking process, eligible applicants should stay informed through official USCIS updates and evaluate whether filing before any new fees take effect is the best option for their circumstances.
