# Citizenship US Citizenship & Naturalization # Termination of Removal Proceedings for Naturalization ## TERMINATION OF REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS FOR NATURALIZATION
A noncitizen *does not*need to submit proof of a pending naturalization application to seek termination for naturalization. 8 CFR § 1003.1(m)(1)(ii)(B), 1003.18(d)(1)(ii)(B).The new regulations establish that an EOIR adjudicator may terminate proceedings when the noncitizen is *prima facie* eligible for naturalization. 8 CFR §§ 1003.1(m)(1)(ii)(B), 1003.18(d)(1)(ii)(B). *The noncitizen is not required to file for naturalization prior to seeking termination on this basis.* However, the EOIR adjudicator may not terminate for naturalization if DHS affirmatively opposes the motion for termination on this basis.
The new standard is favorable to noncitizens in proceedings who are *prima facie* eligible for naturalization and seeking termination on this basis. It replaces the former 8 CFR § 1239.2(f), which the Board had interpreted to require an affirmative communication from DHS. This confirms the noncitizen’s *prima facie* eligibility for naturalization before an EOIR adjudicator could terminate removal proceedings. See *Matter of Acosta Hidalgo*, 24 I&N Dec. 103 (BIA 2007); *Matter of Cruz,* 15 I&N Dec. 236 (BIA 1975). The prior standard was almost impossible to meet, and cases were almost never terminated for naturalization.
# Applying for Naturalization (US Citizenship) Filing Fees (changed in 2024) ~*NO BIOMETRICS FEE~* **Standard Filing Fee:** **$760 Standard Online Filing Fee: $710** **Reduced Filing Fee:** **$380** (Applicants with a household income between 150% - 400% Poverty Guidelines) **Fee Waiver: $0** (Applicants with household income below 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines, currently receive a means-tested benefit, or experiencing an extreme financial hardship) # **APPLYING FOR CITIZENSHIP** (NATURALIZATION) [**2024 changes to N400 filing fees.pdf**](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/5393ff16-b22e-45af-a520-73d60c0e28cc/3a3df0bb-e552-4768-b508-59241499023d/2024_changes_to_N400_filing_fees.pdf) #### **Who can apply for US citizenship?** In general, a legal permanent resident can naturalization to obtain citizenship once they have been a resident for five years. \*\*Conditional Residents—\*\*A noncitizen who was initially granted *conditional* residency (though a marriage that took place less than two years prior to the issuance of residency) must get the conditions removed before they can obtain citizenship. #### **Exception for the Spouse of US Citizen** the spouse of a U.S. citizen who resides in the United States may be eligible for naturalization based on the marriage under section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). **I just got legal permanent resident status (I got a green card) , when can I apply for citizenship?** In five years unless you are married to a US citizen, then you can apply in three years if you are still married and living together as a married couple. ##### **Can I apply for US citizenship if I am not a permanent resident?** No. #### **CITIZENSHIP AFTER THREE YEARS** . See INA 319(a) & See 8 CFR 319.1 #### **INA 319(a)** (a) Any person whose spouse is a citizen of the United States, or any person who obtained status as a lawful permanent resident by reason of his or her status as a spouse or child of a United States citizen who battered him or her or subjected him or her to extreme cruelty, may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of this subchapter except the provisions of paragraph (1) of section 1427(a) of this title if such person immediately preceding the date of filing his application for naturalization has resided continuously, after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, within the United States for at least three years, and during the three years immediately preceding the date of filing his application has been living in marital union with the citizen spouse (except in the case of a person who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by a United States citizen spouse or parent), who has been a United States citizen during all of such period, and has been physically present in the United States for periods totaling at least half of that time and has resided within the State or the district of the Service in the United States in which the applicant filed his application for at least three months. # Citizenship Resources # **STUDY FOR THE CIVICS TEST** [**Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide English**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-1122.pdf) [**All 100 Civics Questions & Their Answers**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/OoC_100_Questions_2008_Civics_Test_V1.pdf) [**Civics Practice Test (English)**](https://my.uscis.gov/prep/test/civics) \[**Tarjetas de Educación Cívica para el Examen de Naturalización**\](Tarjetas de Educación Cívica para el Examen de Naturalización) [**Preparing for the Naturalization Test: A Pocket Study Guide (Spanish)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/M-1122-S.pdf) [**Civics Practice Test (Spanish)**](https://my.uscis.gov/es/prep/test/civics) # **Reading & Writing Test** [**Writing Vocabulary Flash Cards for the Naturalization Test (PDF, 1014.08 KB)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-715_writing.pdf) Easy-to-use flash cards containing vocabulary words to help study for the English writing portion of the naturalization test. [**Reading Test Vocabulary List for the Naturalization Test (PDF, 184.75 KB)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/reading_vocab.pdf) Official list of vocabulary for the English reading portion of the naturalization test. [**Writing Test Vocabulary List for the Naturalization Test (PDF, 181.5 KB)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/writing_vocab.pdf) Official list of vocabulary for the English writing portion of the naturalization test. [**Reading Test Vocabulary List for the Naturalization Test (large print) (PDF, 130.53 KB)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/reading_vocab_largeprint.pdf) Official list of vocabulary for the English reading portion of the naturalization test. [**Writing Test Vocabulary List for the Naturalization Test (large print) (PDF, 126.91 KB)**](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/writing_vocab_largeprint.pdf) Official list of vocabulary for the English writing portion of the naturalization test. [**Vocabulary for the Naturalization Interview: Self-Test 1**](https://www.uscis.gov/interactives/citizenship/self-tests/self-test-1.html) This reading activity has words and phrases that you may read on the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, or hear during the naturalization interview. [Teacher Guide (PDF, 130.88 KB)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/Teacher_Guide_Vocabulary_Self-Test1.pdf) [**Vocabulary for the Naturalization Interview: Self-Test 2**](https://www.uscis.gov/interactives/citizenship/self-tests/self-test-2.html) This reading and listening activity has words and phrases that you may read on the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400, or hear during the naturalization interview. [Teacher Guide (PDF, 133.38 KB)](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/Teacher_Guide_Vocabulary_Self-Test2.pdf) # Exceptions to the English Requirement ## **EXCEPTIONS TO THE ENGLISH EXAMINATION FOR US CITIZENSHIP**
**Exceptions \[[INA 312(b)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1423&num=0&edition=prelim)\]****Educational Requirements**
\*\*English:
Read, write, speak, and understand\*\*\*\*Civics:
Knowledge of U.S. history and government\*\*
Age 50 or older and resided in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least 20 years at time of filingExemptStill required. Applicants may take civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter.
Age 55 or older and resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 15 years at time of filingExempt
Age 65 or older and resided in the United States as an LPR for at least 20 years at time of filingExemptStill required but officers administer specially designated test forms. Applicants may take the civics test in their language of choice using an interpreter.
Medical Disability Exception ([Form N-648](https://www.uscis.gov/n-648))May be exempt from English, civics, or both
# 2024 Changes to Naturalization Filing Fees # CHANGES TO N-400 FILING FEE IN 2024 - PDF [2024 changes to N400 filing fees.pdf](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/5393ff16-b22e-45af-a520-73d60c0e28cc/45e11ca4-cee5-4509-ba49-a778f3b41d7d/2024_changes_to_N400_filing_fees.pdf) [2024 changes to N400 filing fees.pdf](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/5393ff16-b22e-45af-a520-73d60c0e28cc/1449591f-5b21-41b4-beef-b374a9caebd2/2024_changes_to_N400_filing_fees.pdf) [2024 changes to N400 filing fees.odt](https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/5393ff16-b22e-45af-a520-73d60c0e28cc/eadde4d0-9153-4657-8bd6-fa0b79b167f0/2024_changes_to_N400_filing_fees.odt) ODT FILE (word file) ### **FILING FEE AMOUNTS** **Standard Filing Fee: $760** **Standard Online Filing Fee: $710** **Reduced Filing Fee: $380** (Applicants with a household income between 150% - 400% Poverty Guidelines) **Fee Waiver: $0** (Applicants with household income below 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines, currently receive a means-tested benefit, or experiencing an extreme financial hardship. ***NO BIOMETRICS FEE FOR ANY OF THESE*** ### **FEE WAIVER INFO** ##### Means Tested Benefit A naturalization applicant can demonstrate that they are unable to pay the required fee and are eligible to receive a full fee waiver if, at the time of filing, they are receiving a means-tested benefit. A means-tested benefit is a federal, state, locally or tribally funded benefit where the agency granting it considers income and resources in determining eligibility. The USCIS Policy Manual provides a non-exhaustive list of examples of such programs.