Traditionally, getting a green card is just a step on the pathway to U.S. citizenship. However, increasingly strict immigration standards make that final leap harder for hopeful U.S. citizens. According to Newsweek, some green card holders postpone their citizenship applications due to a combination of higher fees and uncertainty around the naturalization process.

For example, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed raising the filing fee for Form N-400, the naturalization application, from $760 to $1,330. This raises the cost by seventy-five percent. Additionally, the proposal eliminates the reduced-fee option and fee waivers for naturalization-related forms.

Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) illustrates the sensitivity of filing trends to these changes. Naturalization applications surged to 169,159 in October, 2025. The uptake in filing preceded a revised civics test taking effect later that month. Afterward, filings dropped seventy-five percent to 41,478 in November, 2025.

Denaturalization adds to the uncertainty. According to data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), there were fifteen denaturalization lawsuits filed in May, 2026. Additionally, immigration authorities filed another eighteen cases in the first half of June, 2026. That’s a sharp jump from a historical average of fewer than one such case per month, and from just eight denaturalization suits filed throughout 2025.

Its clear green card holders aren’t stepping back from naturalization because they don’t want citizenship. Additionally, affordability isn’t the main issue either. Citizenship filings haven’t collapsed. Immigration attorneys interviewed by Newsweek explained green card holders still pursue naturalization because of the rights and security only citizenship provides. This includes removal protections and petitioning for a broader range of family members.

As always, Immigration USA actively monitors ongoing U.S. As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, we’re with you every step of the way.