The term for consideration of applications for US citizenship has increased significantly

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On average, the processing of applications for United States citizenship lasted from five to seven months — this is a verified and approved time for immigrants awaiting citizenship. But the growth in the number of applications before and after the 2016 presidential election of the year made the waiting time double.

This sharp increase in the number of applications to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also led to a queue in 708 638 applications throughout the country, new federal data show. In Los Angeles County, for example, the surge has changed the processing time for applications from five to ten months.

The process itself has also become more labor intensive. After the implementation of the policy of the Obama era, verification of applications has intensified. The application for naturalization on 10 pages turned into 20 pages, and, therefore, it took additional time and labor in USCIS for processing and selection.

However, the number of applications for citizenship is growing.

During the past year, 1 028 647 legal permanent residents applied to become US citizens, which is 11% more than during the same period last year. This is unique in that the volume of applications for naturalization usually increases during the election season, and then falls a year later. The largest number of these new applications comes from the cities and states with the largest number of Mexican residents, such as Texas, California and Arizona.

Despite a significant backlog and an increase in processing time, these immigrants voluntarily apply to become US citizens, protect their families and ensure their right to vote. In addition, obtaining citizenship allows them to bring family members to the country and protect them from possible deportation.

Delays in processing applications for citizenship can cause great uncertainty, forcing immigrants to regroup aspects of their lives.

During the naturalization (citizenship) process, one of the basic requirements is to pass an English proficiency test and the fundamentals of civil law. ForumDaily offers familiarize yourself with free materials that will help prepare for the interview.

And did you know that residents of the state of New York now have the opportunity to issue the necessary documents for free - thanks to a special program launched by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo? How does this program work and who can claim free naturalization, understood Our author is Julia Dyadyura.

In addition, you can learn about the experience of naturalization of immigrants in our article “How I became a citizen of America: the process of naturalization from A to Z«.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Advantages and disadvantages of US citizenship

Immigrant received US citizenship after 20 years in prison

"I want to kiss America": the story of a woman who fled from the Nazis and the USSR

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