Bad news for green card aspirants? Trump’s new plan could cost Indians up to ₹1,000 to become a US citizen | Today’s news
The Trump administration unveiled a plan Monday that would dramatically increase the application fee for the U.S. citizenship program by about 75 percent.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to charge legal immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship $570 more in application fees while eliminating waivers and fee reductions for low-income applicants, according to reports.
How much are the fees increasing?
The paper application fee – N‑400 (citizenship application) – would increase from US$760 ( ₹71,973) to $1,330 ( ₹1,26,038) — an increase of 5 per cent.
The online application fee would jump from $710 to $1,280 (+80 percent). That’s a difference of $570, CBS News reported.
UN‑336 (appeal of denial), paper application fees would increase from $830 to $1,475 (+78 percent), while online application fees would increase from $780 to $1,425 (+83 percent).
The rule would not be implemented immediately. The public will be able to comment, for or against, on the rule for the next 60 days.
Before a final decision is made, comments must be submitted within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register; then DHS will review the feedback and may revise the policy before issuing a final rule.
Why is the US citizenship fee increase proposed?
The administration says the fee increase is necessary to fully cover the costs of reviewing and processing applications.
Meanwhile, Newsweek reported that the rule, which was released for public comment Monday, represents a major shift in federal policy by aligning naturalization fees with what DHS calls the “full cost” of adjudication, including expanded screening and vetting requirements mandated by recent executive orders.
How will it affect?
If implemented, this fee would make a US green card significantly more expensive – increasing the cost of obtaining US citizenship
Critics said it was another hurdle for legal immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship. They are likely to oppose, according to reports, saying that eliminating the exemptions could disproportionately affect low-income immigrants and raise barriers to citizenship.
DHS also acknowledges that the changes could have real-world consequences for many legal permanent residents, potentially delaying their applications, Newsweek reports.
How will this affect Indians?
India is among the top 10 countries where citizens apply for a green card in the US (New Lawful Permanent Residents).
According to data from the Department of State, there are approximately 6 million (60,79,221) Indians in the United States as of January 2026.
Of these, 37,67,737 are of Indian origin and 23,11,484 are Non-Resident Indians.
By 2024, 66,800 Indians had received green cards and were living as lawful permanent residents in the US. That number dropped significantly from 127,010 in 2022 to 78,070 in 2023 and 66,800 in 2024, Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) data showed.
Country of birthNumber 2022Number 2023Number 2024Total 1 018 3501 172 9101 364 090 Mexico 138 770 180, 530 202 600 Cuba 36 64081, 600 184 040 China, People’s Republic 67 95059 26071 Dominican Republic Republic40.15068.87069.630India127.01078.07066.800Afghanistan14.19030.30050.310Philippines36.00049.20048.820Vietnam24.003039 El Salvador30.88026.21031.110Colombia21.72024.81030.140
After Trump raised the H-1B visa application fee from an average of $2,000 to $100,000 last September, DHS’s proposed naturalization application fee changes could further affect Indians.
Recently, a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1 visa fee, calling it “unlawful.”
