New Delhi, 23 June 2026

A major policy proposal from the Trump administration could make becoming a US citizen significantly more expensive, adding fresh financial pressure on immigrants planning long-term settlement in the country. The move signals a tougher approach toward immigration-related benefits and could directly affect thousands of applicants, including members of the Indian community living in the United States.

Under the proposal, the fee for applying for US citizenship through the naturalization process would rise by nearly 75%, taking the cost from 760 dollars to 1,330 dollars. Alongside the increase, the administration has also proposed ending fee waiver provisions that currently help eligible low-income applicants reduce or avoid application costs.

The change could have a noticeable impact on permanent residents who were preparing to apply for citizenship and relying on existing relief measures. For many families, the revised structure may increase the overall financial burden attached to completing the citizenship process.

At present, the changes remain proposals and have not yet come into effect. They will move through a review and public feedback process before any final decision is made, but the announcement has already triggered discussion around accessibility and affordability of the US citizenship pathway.