NALEO Educational Fund Responds to USCIS Proposal to Increase Naturalization Fees

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund released the following statement from CEO Erica Bernal-Martinez after the recent United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposal to increase the naturalization fee:

"The Latino elected and appointed officials who make up NALEO's membership represent millions of Americans - and they know their constituents. Many of the families in their communities are lawful permanent residents who have followed every rule, completed every required step, and earned the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

"This proposal raises the application fee to as much as $1,330 and eliminates fee waivers for those who need them - moving the goalposts on people who have done everything right. That is not just a policy choice; it is a broken promise to immigrants who put their faith in this process. Our members have spent careers fighting to expand civic participation, not restrict it.

"NALEO Educational Fund strongly opposes this rule and will make our members' voices heard through the public comment process, while working alongside congressional allies to protect access to a naturalization pathway that reflects the commitment of lawful permanent residents who have earned the right to become U.S. citizens."