USCIS Citizenship Approvals Plummet, Backlogs Swell to Over...

What Happened

In the spring of 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) saw a dramatic decrease in approved citizenship applications. This reduction led to a substantial increase in the backlog of naturalization cases.

The agency approved only 57,697 naturalization applications between April and June 2026. This marks a significant decline compared to previous years, highlighting a growing administrative delay.

Where and When

The slowdown was most pronounced between April and June 2026. Data analyzed by Newsweek shows significant drops in approvals across various USCIS field offices.

For instance, San Jose, California, experienced a 96.5% decrease in approvals, falling from 9,041 to just 317. Seattle and Houston also reported substantial declines. Meanwhile, the total number of pending cases reached 742,138.

Why It Matters

These delays are critical for many permanent residents aspiring to become U.S. citizens. Citizenship grants the right to vote in federal elections, a right unavailable to non-citizens.

With upcoming legislative elections, the reduced number of approvals means more immigrants may be unable to participate, raising concerns among advocacy groups about access to civic engagement.

What Parties Say

Immigrant advocacy organizations, like the National Alliance for New Americans, expressed concern about the growing backlog. They question if processing priorities are hindering timely citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the administration of President Donald Trump is enhancing checks to ensure citizenship is granted only to eligible individuals. This includes reinstating stricter civic tests and English proficiency requirements, along with additional background reviews, such as social media posts.

What Comes Next

The administration defends these measures as efforts to strengthen applicant vetting. However, immigrant groups and experts are calling for greater transparency and oversight regarding the processing slowdown.

The increase in pending cases and decrease in approvals suggest a potential continued strain on the naturalization process. Future trends will likely depend on USCIS's operational adjustments and policy implementations.