FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar

The LINCS event focused on the 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction. Grace McCall introduced the session, and Jennifer Gagliardi moderated. Shawn Chakrabarti, a former USCIS official, explained the fee structure, highlighting that 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with 4 million likely having limited English proficiency. He detailed the new fee waiver and reduction rules, noting that 80% of LPRs may qualify for fee reductions. Chakrabarti emphasized the importance of detailed student intakes, partnering with legal service providers, and leveraging digital literacy to navigate the new fee rules. He also encouraged commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future policies.

Action Items

• Spread the word about the new fee reduction and waiver options.
• Partner with legal service providers to ensure students file the N-400 correctly for fee reductions.
• Explore innovative loan programs to help students cover the Naturalization fees.
• Incorporate scenarios and digital literacy exercises into citizenship classes to teach the fee information.
• Comment on the Federal Register when USCIS publishes fee rule changes.

Outline

Introduction of Shawn Chakrabarti

• Jennifer Gagliardi introduces Shawn Chakrabarti, who was previously with Education Specialist, Office of Citizenship, USCIS.
• Shawn Chakrabarti clarifies that his views are his own and not those of USCIS.

Discussion on Eligibility and USCIS Funding

• Shawn Chakrabarti sets the stage for the discussion by asking two questions related to the number of people eligible for citizenship and the funding of USCIS.
• Approximately 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with a significant portion having limited English proficiency.
• 96% of USCIS is fee-funded, meaning that taxes paid by applicants fund the operations.
• It is important to understand the funding mechanisms of USCIS to better advocate for citizenship programs.
• Discussion of why USCIS charges fees and the implications of fee rules.

Explanation of Fee Rules and Fee Waivers

• USCIS charges fees to cover its operations, including officer salaries and background checks.
• The historical context of fee rules and the ongoing debate between reducing services to lower fees and increasing services to maintain quality.
• The difference between fee waivers and fee reductions: fee waivers are for those earning up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, while fee reductions are for those earning up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Discussion of the federal poverty guidelines with specific income ranges for Washington, DC, to illustrate the impact of these changes.
• Gary Sang commented: "In case it's helpful to understand how USCIS advises on "household size": USCIS Form I-912 Instructions, page 6, part 5, item 3: Household members include the following people, who are dependent on your income, your spouse’s income, or the head of household’s income, as part of your household size"
• Jim Fererro  commented: Clarification: the Federal Poverty Guidelines are the same throughout the country and not dependent upon a specific area (zip code).  2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines be available Q1 2025

Practical Implications for Programs

• Discussion of the importance of detailed student intakes to identify those eligible for fee waivers and reductions.
• Citizenship prep programs (schools and organizations) should partner with legal service providers to ensure accurate filing and submission of necessary documents.
• Seeking community partners raises the potential for fundraising and innovative loan programs to support students in paying citizenship fees.
• Use paper filing for fee reductions and creating USCIS online accounts to track cases and avoid losing important mailings.

Teaching and Advocacy Strategies

• Teachers should incorporate vocabulary related to fees, household size, and digital literacy into citizenship classes.
• Teachers should use simplified tables, scenarios, and trusted websites like uscis.gov to provide accurate information to students.
• Use the USCIS Fact Sheet: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization Filing Fees link as a resource in their classes.
• Discussion the importance of commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future fee rules and policies 

Q&A and Final Thoughts

• Jennifer Gagliardi and Shawn Chakrabarti address questions from participants about the fee disparity between naturalization and proof of derived citizenship and the process for applying for fee reductions.
• Shawn Chakrabarti reiterates the importance of partnering with legal service providers and using the correct forms and instructions.
• Shawn Chakrabarti encourages participants to use the New Americans Campaign pre-screen tool and to stay engaged in advocacy efforts.

USCIS Naturalization Fee Resources

• USCIS Fact Sheet: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization Filing Fees link
• USCIS Eligible to Naturalizes Factsheets link
• USCIS Factsheet: Naturalization For Low Income Applicants link
• USCIS Fee Calculator
• USCIS Filing Fees
• USCIS Fee Schedule for N-400
• USCIS Learn About the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program link
• USCIS The new N-400 includes a Fee Reduction section
• USCIS Additional Information on Filing a Fee Waiver
• USCIS Money and Finance
• USCIS How to Pay Your Fees (video)
• USCIS Forms: Pay the Correct Fee! (video)

More Government Financial Education Resources

• Census.gov: The Art of Persuasion: Using Census Data to Influence Others lesson plan link
  • NOTE: Use with USCIS Eligible to Naturalizes Factsheets link, USC Dornsife Eligible to Naturalize map link, and other demographic resources
• Consumer.FTC.gov: Scams Against Immigrants many ML resources |  graphic novel: Notario Scams English | Spanish
• FederalRegister.gov: Documents related to "Naturalization Fees"
• HHS.gov:  Federal Poverty Guidelines link
• IRS.gov: Understanding Taxes (38 lesson plans for Teachers and Students) link

More Financial Resources for Naturalization

• Affinity Plus: New American Loan Program. To Help You Pay for Citizenship.  For residents of Minneapolis or St. Paul link
• Mission Asset Fund: Need help financing your USCIS application fee? link
• New Americans Campaign:  Naturalization Costs and Fee Waivers link |  calculator tool | webinar recording
• One Percent for America: Options for Financing U.S. Citizenship Application Fees link
• Refugee and Immigration Services: N-400 U.S. Citizenship Application $FEE Change! video
• Resource One Credit Union: Citizenship Loans link
• Seattle Credit Union: Citizenship Loans link
• Self-help Credit Union: Immigration Loans link

Thank you for your interest in education students about the USCIS Naturalization Fee Reduction and Fee Waiver.  Special thanks to Shawn Chakrabarti for his presentation and guidance!