The Trump administration has proposed a rule change that would make it harder for nearly two-thirds of all immigrants to access the legal immigration system or change their legal status.

Currently, the government permits immigrants below specific income levels applying for a limited number of immigration benefits to have the fees associated with filing the application waived. Although the fee waiver does not apply to the cost of legal representation, it goes a long way in reducing the overall cost for low-income immigrants to access the immigration system. 

This document provides more background on the issue and how to help. 

What's happening 

The proposed rule change would limit the qualification criteria and significantly increase the burden on immigrants to prove they are eligible for the waiver, putting access to the legal immigration system out of reach for many.

While we know that naturalization helps low-income immigrants better provide for themselves and their families, this rule makes that process more difficult. Instead of allowing them to thrive, it closes the door to immigrants who are eager to work hard and achieve the American Dream but simply cannot afford to pay the fees. 

What you can do

The IRC is asking its supporters to submit a unique public comment opposing the proposed rule before May 6. Everything you need to know is in our toolkit or you can simply email[email protected] using the subject line “USCIS OMB Control Number 1615-0116.” Tell them that you oppose the proposal by United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to make changes to the rule regarding fee waivers. You can also pull from the key points below.

Key points for your comment:

  • Evidence shows us that naturalization helps low-income immigrants have access to greater education and professional opportunities, enabling them to better provide for themselves and their families and contribute to the U.S. economy
  • The elimination of fee waivers is a complete betrayal of core American values: it closes the door to those immigrants who are eager to work hard and achieve the American Dream but simply cannot afford to pay the fees.
  • The proposed rule effectively punishes immigrants for their socio-economic status, rewarding better-off immigrants and excluding many who are gainfully employed but struggling to make ends meet.
  • The consequences of this proposed rule would be felt by U.S. citizen children: low-income immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizen children may be forced to choose between pursuing naturalization with the added security and opportunities it brings and spending limited resources on their children’s needs. This could have devastating consequences for the wellbeing of children and families in America.

Available documents & links