For the first time in years, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made significant strides in reducing the backlog of naturalization cases, offering eligible green card holders a quicker path to U.S. citizenship. This comes at a crucial moment for those eager to cast their vote in the upcoming November elections. With processing times reduced to as little as five months, applicants who applied early in the summer of 2024 may be able to participate in the democratic process by Election Day.

This achievement represents a 50% reduction in processing times since 2022. The agency has brought the median naturalization wait time down from 10.5 months to just five months. While processing times may still vary across field offices, the nationwide improvement demonstrates the agency's success in managing the naturalization backlog.

How Did USCIS Achieve This Milestone?

USCIS has long targeted naturalization as a key area in its backlog reduction efforts, and recent advancements have made a significant impact. The agency boosted its capacity by increasing staffing, adopting better technology, and streamlining processes to accommodate a surge in applications. With these improvements, USCIS has effectively eliminated its net backlog, which had caused long delays for many aspiring citizens in recent years.

It's common to see an uptick in naturalization cases in the lead-up to national elections, as many green card holders seek to exercise their right to vote. However, the benefits of U.S. citizenship extend far beyond the voting booth.

The Many Benefits of U.S. Citizenship

U.S. citizens enjoy numerous rights and privileges that go beyond voting. Naturalized citizens can serve on juries, travel on a U.S. passport, sponsor family members to immigrate to the U.S., apply for federal jobs, run for federal office, and access certain federal grants, scholarships, and benefits. Importantly, U.S. citizens cannot lose their right to remain in the country.

On a broader scale, research shows that naturalized citizens experience higher employment rates and earn between 50% and 70% more than noncitizens. This contributes to the strength of the U.S. economy through increased tax revenues and higher rates of homeownership.

Policy Changes and Improvements

The Biden Administration has played a crucial role in driving this progress. Upon taking office, President Biden issued an executive order aimed at reducing barriers to naturalization and fostering better integration of new Americans. As a result, the number of denied naturalization petitions dropped by 10% in FY 2023 compared to FY 2022. Additionally, the naturalization process has been simplified, with a shorter application and multiple discounts available, though the overall application fee was raised.

Meeting the Eligibility Criteria

While naturalization has become faster and more efficient, applicants must still meet the established eligibility criteria. These include:

• Being at least 18 years old.
• Having continuous residence in the U.S.
• Meeting physical presence requirements.
• Living in the USCIS jurisdiction for a specified period.
• Demonstrating knowledge of U.S. history, civics, and English.
• Showing good moral character.

These requirements ensure that new citizens are well-prepared for the responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship.

Conclusion

As USCIS continues to refine its processes, the quicker path to citizenship is a welcome change for many aspiring Americans. For those eligible, now is an excellent time to begin the naturalization process—especially for those hoping to participate in the democratic process come November.

At Saluja Law, we are closely monitoring these developments and are here to help you navigate your naturalization journey. Contact us for assistance with your application or to learn more about the latest updates to U.S. immigration policies.