As many of you know, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a rule that would significantly increase the cost of becoming a U.S. citizenship.
We’re reaching out with ways for both organizations and individuals to submit public comment so that we can build a robust record of public opposition to this proposed rule. Only unique comments will be counted.
DHS is accepting public comments on this proposal until Monday, August 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
What the Rule Proposes
- Naturalization application fees would increase by 75%. The cost to apply for U.S. citizenship would rise from $760 to $1,330.
- Appeal fees would increase by 78%. The fee to appeal a denied naturalization application would rise from $830 to $1,475.
- Fee waivers and reduced fees would be eliminated. Low-income applicants would no longer be able to apply for a fee waiver (available to people earning up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, receiving a means-tested benefit, or experiencing financial hardship) or reduced application fee (available to people earning up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines), making citizenship even more expensive for many families.
For many immigrants and families, these changes would put U.S. citizenship out of reach. Every eligible immigrant should have a fair and accessible path to citizenship, regardless of their income or ability to pay.
Submit Comment as an Organization
Use this template comment guide from our partners at National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), and the New Americans Campaign (NAC).
The guide includes instructions and tips for submitting effective organizational comments, legal and policy arguments, and template language. We urge you to tailor the template to reflect your organization and community’s unique perspective. This will increase the chances your comment will receive individualized administrative review.
Jump below for data you can use in your comment on how this proposal may impact Asian Americans and NHPI individuals seeking naturalization.
Start Your Organizational Comment Here
Submit Comment as an Individual
We’ve created a portal that makes it easy for community members to submit personalized comments and stories on this proposed rule. Please share widely with your networks.
Submit Individual Comment Here
We encourage community members to speak to:
- How the naturalization fee waiver or reduced fee made a difference for you, a family member, or someone else in your community.
- Your own experience of naturalization. What did you gain, and how have you contributed to the U.S. since becoming a citizen?
- If you don’t have a personal story, share how the proposed changes will impact Asian American communities broadly, and why access to naturalization matters to you.
Please note: Comments submitted through our Action Center will include the commenter’s identifying information. Individuals who wish to submit an anonymous comment should do so directly here.
Data on AANHPI Communities and Naturalization
If you’d like to include data, feel free to draw from the following:
- A 75% fee increase would make citizenship unaffordable for many working families, seniors, and refugees.
- 32% of NHPIs and 23% of Asian Americans in the U.S. are low-income
- 26% of unnaturalized Asian immigrants and 43% of unnaturalized NHPI immigrants or migrants are low-income
- Unnaturalized immigrants are the lowest income tier among citizenship groups. In 2024, they had a per capita income of $40,878, substantially lower than U.S. born citizens ($57,364) and naturalized citizens ($61,157)
- Asian Americans make up the largest share of naturalized U.S. citizens, making up one third (33%) of the total naturalized population, meaning these changes would have an outsized impact on our communities.
- Naturalized Asian Americans makes one third (33%) of the total naturalized population
- Nearly 260,000 individuals from Asian countries and regions obtained lawful permanent resident status in 2021. The increase in fees is likely to create additional barriers for those considering naturalization
- The total number of naturalization adjudications by month (approvals and denials taken together) went from 78,379 in September 2025 to 37,832 by January 2026. Therefore naturalization rates have already declined and will dramatically drop even further if these additional financial barriers are implemented.
If you have questions about this proposed public comment or how to use these resources, please reach out to our team at communications@ajsocal.org.
Thank you for helping protect an affordable and accessible pathway to U.S. citizenship.
