Muslim Civic Coalitions Opposes Naturalization Fee Hikes, Tells DHS: Wealth Should Not Determine Citizenship
August 24, 2026 — The Muslim Civic Coalition firmly stands against the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to raise fees for individuals and households applying to become naturalized citizens. The Coalition recently submitted public comment on the impact the sharply increased fees would have on our communities.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a 75% fee adjustment of Form N-400, the form used for the naturalization process. This means that the original cost of the application, already at $760, will now be raised to $1,330. The proposal also includes the removal of fee waivers and reductions, which were available for households below the 400% poverty guidelines, and an increase in fees for Form N-336, which is used to request a hearing if denied naturalization, from $830 to $1,475.
The effect is to ration citizenship by income. The increase in fees will drastically cut access to citizenship for immigrant and refugee individuals and families. This also means that lower-income households will face severe risk of deportation, legal status issues, the inability to sponsor a family member, and the lack of any other benefits that were associated with being a United States citizen. This also creates a wide disparity between who has the right to become a citizen, making wealth the first status symbol in achieving what should be a national right for all.
As our public comment states, “...access to citizenship in our country should not be determined via one’s economic background. This fee hike clearly targets low income individuals and families, and will have a stark impact on members of our communities who have followed every requirement for years, by making U.S. citizenship out of reach.”
The Muslim Civic Coalition believes in equality for all, regardless of ethnic, religious, racial, or economic background. The United States was built on the premise of opportunity for all, including obtaining citizenship in this country. For many, who have created work opportunities, paid taxes, and raised families in this nation, losing access to citizenship due to a steep increase in fees is a major obstacle, negating “equality for all.”
What This Means If You Are Eligible for Citizenship
Nothing has changed yet. The fee increase is a proposal, not a final rule, and current fees stay in place until DHS issues one. The N-400 is still $760 by paper and $710 online, and the $380 reduced fee and fee waivers are still available. If you're eligible and ready, filing now is the clearest way to file at today's fee. Higher fees would not affect your green card or your right to remain. If you're a lawful permanent resident, you remain one. Military service members and veterans stay exempt.
Read more:
Federal Register: Naturalization Application Fee Adjustments (DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0265)
TIME: Trump Administration Moves to Increase the Price Tag for Citizenship
Where to Get Free Help in Illinois
New Americans Initiative (NAI) - free citizenship application assistance. NAI is a collaboration between the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and 62 community organizations across Illinois with capacity in 65 languages. It provides citizenship information and education, interview preparation, and application processing. NAI partner organizations run in-house legal clinics and citizenship workshops throughout the year.
ICIRR holds a limited pool of funds specifically to cover USCIS filing fees for N-400 applicants in need. Ask an NAI partner whether funds are currently available.ICIRR
NAI partners offer English language classes for the citizenship language test and civics education classes, with services targeted to low-income and Limited English Proficient immigrants and refugees, seniors, women, and youth with special needs.Illinois Department of Human Services
ICIRR Family Support Network hotline: 1-855-435-7693. Call to be connected to immigration legal services in Illinois.IL IMMIGRATION INFO