India, June 23 -- The Trump administration has proposed a new rule to significantly increase the cost of filing a form required for immigrants to apply to become naturalised US citizens. If the rule takes effect, it could potentially make green cards costlier -- an impact that would also be felt by Indians in the States.

According to the rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security, the cost of filing Form N-400 (application for naturalisation) by paper would increase from $760 to $1,330 -- a 75 per cent surge. Meanwhile, the cost of filing the form online would increase from $710 to $1,280 -- an 80 per cent surge.

The form for naturalisation for those with a household income below 400 per cent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ...