The current administration is trying to make it harder for people who are qualified for citizenship to become naturalized.
We need to protest the proposed unreasonable fee increases formally. See how below. People who can’t afford to pay could jeopardize their lives and livelihood and be open to deportation.
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Nicole Melaku<info@partnershipfornewamericans.org> Date: Tue, Aug 11, 2026 at 11:16 AM Subject: The fight for our community continues. Here is how you can plug in this week: To: <meredith.machen@gmail.com>
Stop the Paywall: Defend Naturalization. Submit your Public Comment Today!
On June 23, 2026, DHS issued a proposed rule that would nearly double naturalization application fees and eliminate fee waivers and reduced-fee options. If finalized, the proposal would increase the naturalization application fee by up to 80% and raise the fee to appeal a denied naturalization application by as much as 83%. These steep increases are not routine updates. They would place citizenship further out of reach for many aspiring Americans, especially people with lower incomes, by creating unnecessary financial barriers to the naturalization process.
We can stop this: The proposed rule is not currently in effect, and naturalization fees, fee waivers, and reduced-fee options will remain unchanged while the rulemaking process is underway. The proposed rule is open for public comment until August 24, 2026 @11:59 pm ET. Community organizations, legal service providers, advocates, and members of the public are encouraged to submit comments urging DHS to reject these harmful changes.
August Webinars and Trainings
Storytelling and Narrative for Refugee and Immigrant Communities:
Building Solidarity, Allyship, and Influence
🗓️ Thursday, August 13th
⏰ 5pm ET/ 2pm PT
This workshop centers storytelling as a powerful tool for organizing, advocacy, and movement-building. Participants will learn how to ethically and effectively use personal and collective narratives to build solidarity, strengthen allyship, influence policymakers, and counter harmful anti-immigrant rhetoric. The session provides practical tools for engaging media and decision-makers while protecting the dignity and safety of storytellers.
Prepare for AILA’s Citizenship Day: Coordinator & Volunteer Trainings
Join NPNA and partners for a webinar series leading up to Citizenship Day, focusing on topics such as organizing citizenship events, hot topics in naturalization, fee waivers, and the N-400 application, and more! See this week’s webinars below:
Tuesday, August 11th at 1:00 PM ET - Fee Waiver Volunteer Preparation - This session will cover how to support eligible applicants in completing Form I-912, including eligibility criteria, documentation, and best practices for volunteer review. -REGISTER HERE.
Tuesday, August 18th at 3:00 PM ET - Advancing Citizenship Together: Local Government & Community Strategies for Celebrating Naturalization in Challenging Times - As proposed policy changes and increased uncertainty create new challenges for eligible lawful permanent residents pursuing citizenship, local governments, community-based organizations, and advocates continue to lead with partnership, resilience, and hope. This webinar will showcase how communities are working together to support eligible residents, strengthen naturalization efforts, and celebrate new Americans through Citizenship Day, naturalization ceremonies, and other local initiatives. Join practitioners from across the country to explore strategies to advance citizenship, uplift the contributions of newly naturalized citizens, and reaffirm that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in our democracy fully. REGISTER HERE
The fight continues,
Nicole Melaku,
Executive Director, NPNA
P.S. To defend immigrants is to defend the American Dream. Donate today.
