A brand new report by Boundless Immigration discovered that roughly 9 million immigrants are eligible to turn out to be U.S. residents. With the present common naturalization processing time dropping to below 5 months, some might probably achieve citizenship in time to vote within the November presidential elections.
The Biden administration has made important progress in streamlining the naturalization course of. By the tip of Might 2024, the common processing time for citizenship functions had decreased to 5 months (or much less relying on the town), a 15% discount from the earlier yr and a greater than 50% decline from 2022. This enchancment signifies that eligible inexperienced card holders who apply for citizenship in July 2024 might conceivably be authorised in time to take part within the presidential election, relying on the place they dwell.
States with highest numbers of authorized immigrants
In keeping with the report, California, New York, Texas, and Florida are the states with the biggest inhabitants of lawful everlasting residents eligible to turn out to be U.S. residents. These states account for practically 60% of all eligible residents, These states account for practically 60% of all eligible residents, highlighting the place voter registration efforts might be most impactful.
USCIS, the federal company answerable for processing citizenship functions, has made notable progress in lowering its backlog. In 2023, the backlog of citizenship functions fell to 416,034, a 44% lower from the excessive of 942,669 in 2020. That is the bottom backlog since 2015, signaling a extra environment friendly processing system.
The report additionally highlights the potential influence of the upcoming election on immigration insurance policies. Whereas the Biden administration has made naturalization extra accessible, a shift in administration might reverse these positive aspects. Former President Donald Trump has already said his intention to finish birthright citizenship and deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants if re-elected.
