NEW USCIS N-400 and Fees (2024)

The New N-400 Application for Naturalization Video: https://youtu.be/lhdD3mHETh4?si=KSfAwUAWpfVsGbSk

#citizenship #naturalization #USCIS #N400

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NPNA: USCIS Fee Schedule | Toolkit

Spread the word on expanded eligibility for reduced fee applications for naturalization.Click below to access our toolkit where you can download this video, and other content. View Toolkit Here

April 17, 2024 6:00 PM ET NPNA: Expanded Eligibility on Reduced Fee for Naturalization

Are you navigating the complexities of immigration fees? Join NPNA for an essential webinar session titled "Expanded Eligibility on Reduced Fee for Naturalization" on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at 6:00 PM EST. In this webinar, we'll provide crucial insights into the newly introduced partial fee waivers by USCIS. Our esteemed panel of immigration experts will share information on the partial fee waivers eligibility and naturalization process. Stay informed and empowered about the latest developments in immigration fees. Mark your calendars and join us for this enlightening session. Register Here

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USCIS Provides Third Gender Option on Form N-400

Release Date: 04/01/2024

USCIS has revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to provide a third gender option, “X,” defined as “Another Gender Identity.” We are also updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual accordingly to account for this form revision and other forthcoming form revisions that will add a third gender option; see thePolicy Alert (PDF, 344.77 KB).

The 04/01/24 edition of Form N-400 will be the first USCIS form to include the X gender option. Applicants filing this edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024, will have X immediately available as a gender option on their form.

Applicants who have a pending Form N-400 using the edition in effect before April 1, 2024, may request to update their gender on or after April 1, 2024, as well. For all other forms, individuals must wait until USCIS revises those forms to include the X gender option.

Consult the chart to determine if the X gender option is available to you. Or see below:

If you want your gender to be reflected as X and…You filed your Form N-400 before April 1, 2024, and your N-400 is still pending

• If you received aRequest for Evidence (RFE) or interview notice:Provide a letter explaining that you request to change your gender to X in response to the RFE or at the interview.
• If you have an online account:
  Upload a letter explaining that you request to change your gender to X. Upload the letter as new evidence to the pending application.
• If you do not have an online account:
  EmailUSCIS-updategenderinfo@uscis.dhs.govand request to change your gender to X.
• If you havea pending or approved VAWA, T, or U-related case:
  Refer to theContact Uswebpage (Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings section).

If you want your gender to be reflected as X and…You already received your naturalization certificate

• You must wait until USCIS revisesForm N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document to add the X gender option. You must continue to submit the Form N-565 in accordance with form instructions until updated. Once USCIS revises Form N-565, the revised form will allow for a third gender option when applying for a replacement certificate.

Form N-400 is the only USCIS form that offers the X gender option at this time. Therefore, until we complete additional form revisions that add the X gender option, naturalization certificates are the only USCIS-issued secure identity documents that can reflect the gender X. The X gender option is not yet available on the Form N-565.

If you have other benefit requests pending with USCIS and would like to choose X as your gender, or if you would like to change your existing USCIS-issued secure identity documents to reflect X as your gender, you must wait until we update the relevant forms before you may do so. Once USCIS updates additional forms to offer the X gender option, benefit requestors may follow the instructions on theUpdating orCorrecting Your Documentswebpage to select the X gender option.

Supporting Documentation Not Needed

You do not need to provide supporting documentation to select X as your gender initially or to change your gender selection for Form N-400. The gender you select does not need to match the gender listed on your other immigration documents or on supportingidentity documents,such as your birth certificate,passport, or state identification.

Social Security Card

Note that if you select the X gender option on the new Form N-400, you may need to visit a Social Security office for a Social Security card or to update your citizenship status.The Social Security Administration is still developing systems to accept the X gender option.

Background

Historically, USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options: “Male (M)” and “Female (F).” This has created significant barriers for requestors who do not identify with either of those options. Limiting benefit requestors to two gender options also creates administrative challenges for USCIS when we receive birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than M or F. Adding a third gender option helps ensure that secure identity documents and biographical data are accurate and helps both external stakeholders and individuals requesting immigration benefits. It is also consistent with federal and state agencies that have adopted a third gender option, such as the U.S. Department of State’s expanded passport services to offer gender X in their application.

In March 2023, USCIS updated the Policy Manual to allow for the self-selection of gender on USCIS forms. (PDF, 333.48 KB) This policy update allows benefit requestors to select their gender on all USCIS forms without providing supporting documentation (except for Form N-565, which requires a formal form revision to implement this policy). Benefit requestors may also change a prior selection without the need to provide specific supporting documentation, or to match prior documentation provided. This revision is consistent with efforts to break down barriers in the immigration system and reduce undue burdens in accessing immigration benefits, while still maintaining identity verification and fraud prevention procedures.

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New Form N-400 Annotated Version from ILRC.org
On April 1, 2024, USCIS issued a new naturalization form (Form N-400) for public use. To assist practitioners and volunteers in completing the new N-400 form, ILRC developed this annotated form. The annotated form explains many of the questions, why specific questions are on the form, how to complete certain questions, and which questions are “red flags” and thus need advice from experienced attorneys or Department of Justice accredited representatives. This annotated form will help guide practitioners and volunteers while completing the new N-400. Please note that this annotated form is not a substitute for knowing the full details of all the legal requirements for naturalization and the risks of applying for naturalization if the applicant falls into any of the “red flag” categories. DOWNLOAD

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Follow up to the 4/16 NPNA webinar,Naturalize Now! Unveiling New Data on Eligible Population for a Reduced Naturalization Fee.

Here is the webinar recording link and attached are the slides. Below are the resources shared and tools to utilize:

• Newly released policy brief: Naturalize Now: Economic Equity and the Path to Naturalization
• NPNA USCIS Fee Rule Toolkit
  • Features reduced fee social media graphics & a PSA in English and Spanish promoting the reduced fee

• Reduced Fee for Naturalization Facebook Live TODAY, April 17th at 6:00 PM Eastern - Registration link HERE - feel free to share widely

• USC Interactive Map of Eligible-to-Naturalize Adults by Probability of Naturalization (PUMA 2023)

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What’s different in the 4/1/24 edition of the N-400 Citizenship Application? by Lynn Weintraub, ProLiteracy

The New N-400 Application for Naturalization by Jennifer Gagliardi, OTAN

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New USCIS Form N-400: An Analysis of Part 9 Information Questions by Bill Bliss

Bill Bliss, author of Voices of Freedom, posted to Medium today this article evaluating the updated N-400's Part 9 questions in two respects: 1) comparing the new questions with their previous versions; 2) analyzing the Part 9 vocabulary, which exceeds in difficulty the previous Part 12.

Two of the downloads linked in the article offer an analysis of the new Part 9 content. For convenience, here are links to those items here.

A chart provides a question-by-question redline comparison of the new and previous questions.

A vocabulary analysis based on a common list of high-frequency words in English demonstrates that about half of all Part 9 vocabulary is beyond what can be considered words in ordinary English for applicants who are English language learners. The analysis includes an annotated version of the new questions indicating the level of vocabulary complexity.

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Also see ILRC New Form N-400 Annotated Version from ILRC.org DOWNLOAD

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USCIS Tech Talks - Online N-400

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue our Tech Talks sessions to provide answers to your questions about USCIS online accounts. During the June 4 Tech Talk, we will discuss the new online N-400, Application for Naturalization. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the revised N-400 online form, including how the conditional logic of the online form works and the evidence requirements.

Please use this link to join: Tuesday, June 4, 2-2:45 p.m. Eastern.

No registration is required for this event.Please use Microsoft Teams to join the engagement. We recommend using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox as your web browser. You may also view the engagement from a mobile device with the Microsoft Teams application.

We encourage you to submit questions in advance using the Teams Live link for the event. To submit a question, when you are in Teams Live, click on the Q&A icon and enter your question.

To request a disability accommodation to participate in this engagement, email us at public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov at least five business days before the engagement in which you choose to participate.

Save the date! The next sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, July 2, 2-2:45 p.m. Eastern
• Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2-2:45 p.m. Eastern

During these sessions, USCIS subject-matter experts will address common issues and questions related to online filing and be available to respond to your questions about creating and using USCIS online accounts.

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Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC): Frequently Asked Questions: Form N-400 Updates

On April 1, 2024, USCIS published a new Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. CLINIC has developed this Frequently Asked Questions document based on both the greatest changes to the form and on concerns and inquiries raised by practitioners in filling it out. This FAQ should be used as a tool in assisting with completion of the form but should not be used as a substitute for substantive legal advice. Direct Download

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2024 Changes to Naturalization Fees, Reduced Fees, and Fee Waivers from ILRC.org

This practice advisory reviews the 2024 USCIS fee rule changes for naturalization fees, the reduced fee, and the full fee waiver. The advisory also covers changes in the USCIS Policy Manual that provide further guidance on naturalization fees.

DOWNLOAD FILE 2024 Changes to Naturalization Fees.pdf

Also see ILRC New Form N-400 Annotated Version from ILRC.org DOWNLOAD

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On June 3, 2024 USCIS release a new Factsheet: Form N-400, Application for Naturalization Filing Fees .

Please note, the date on the pdf is 6/3/2023 and will be updated to 6/3/2024.

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Bill Bliss, author of "Voices of Freedom," has just posted a free study guide for naturalization applicants preparing for their interviews and the possibility that officers may ask questions related to Form N-400 Part 9 information.

Feel free to share the link with your networks.

Form N-400 and the Naturalization Interview: A Study Guide for Applicants: Part 9 Questions with Glossary

bit.ly/3XzdUO1

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