Summary#
This bill would stop the Secretary of Homeland Security from waiving or reducing any fee tied to an application for United States citizenship. The only exception is for naturalization applications filed under the military naturalization rules for current or former members of the Armed Forces. The broad goal in the bill title is to prevent discounted or reduced fees for people seeking U.S. citizenship (except the military exception).
- Main change: removes the Secretary’s authority to waive or reduce fees for citizenship applications.
- Exception: applicants under the military naturalization rules (sections 328 and 329 of immigration law) are not covered by the ban.
- Who holds the change: the prohibition applies to the Secretary of Homeland Security (the department that runs USCIS).
- Definition included: the bill defines “Armed Forces” by referring to the usual definition in federal law.
- What it does not say: the bill does not explain start dates, implementation details, or how it interacts with other fee-waiver rules outside citizenship applications.
What it means for you#
- People applying for naturalization (citizenship): You could no longer get a fee waiver or fee reduction from DHS for an application to become a U.S. citizen. That likely means you must pay the full filing and any required biometrics fees when you apply.
- Low-income applicants and individuals who rely on fee waivers: This group would likely lose a common route to reduce the cost of naturalization. The bill does not create an alternate subsidy.
- Current or former military members applying under the military naturalization rules: The ban does not apply to applications filed under those military provisions. Those applicants would remain eligible for the existing exceptions the law allows.
- Family, legal-aid organizations, and immigration attorneys: They may see more clients who need help finding funds to pay fees or who delay filing while seeking money.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and DHS: USCIS would need to stop granting fee waivers or reductions for citizenship applications and adjust forms and guidance. The bill does not say how USCIS should handle related administrative tasks.
- General public services: If fewer people naturalize for cost reasons, services tied to citizenship status (voting eligibility, travel documents, some federal jobs) could be affected on a case-by-case basis. The bill does not describe these downstream effects.
What is unclear: The bill says “any fee associated with an application for United States citizenship” but does not list which forms or fees that phrase covers (for example, some questions remain about certificates of citizenship, administrative fees, or related filings). It also does not say when the ban would start or how it interacts with other fee-waiver authorities for non-citizens.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
- The bill text does not include a fiscal estimate or cost analysis.
- Possible financial effects that are not estimated in the bill text: reduced number of fee waivers could raise fee revenue collected by USCIS; applicants who previously used waivers would have to pay more out of pocket.
- Administrative costs could arise as USCIS updates guidance, forms, and training to stop processing fee waivers for citizenship applications. The bill does not provide numbers for these changes.
Proponents' View#
- A possible argument for the bill is that it would stop fee reductions for citizenship applicants so everyone seeking naturalization (except qualifying military applicants) pays the same official fees.
- The bill appears intended to make an explicit rule that fee waivers are not allowed for citizenship applications, removing discretionary reductions by DHS.
- Supporters might say the military exception preserves long-standing special treatment for service members while applying a single rule to other applicants.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is that removing fee waivers may make naturalization unaffordable for low-income lawful permanent residents who otherwise would qualify for a waiver. That could reduce the number of people who become citizens.
- The bill does not explain how USCIS should handle related administrative changes. This may create short-term implementation costs or confusion.
- It is unclear how the change interacts with other fee-waiver authorities or exceptions in federal law. That ambiguity could lead to legal or operational disputes.
- Another possible trade-off is that higher up-front costs for applicants could increase requests for legal help, delays in filing, or leave some eligible applicants unable to apply.