LOS ANGELES, CA -- Lengthy naturalization application processing delays may jeopardize the opportunity for newcomers to become full participants in our nation’s electoral process during the 2008 election season, according to an analysis released today by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund [click here].  The analysis indicates that between federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 and FY 2007, there was an 85% increase in the number of U.S. citizenship cases pending completion at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  The analysis also shows that in some parts of the country, the USCIS has not started the initial stage of processing until four months after receiving applications.

According to Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director, “The USCIS is estimating that it may take 16-18 months to complete the processing of U.S. citizenship applications filed after June 1.  The USCIS simply must do a better job.  More than 1.1 million legal permanent residents filed for naturalization in FY 2007, the highest number this decade, and a near record in our nation’s history.  These newcomers are eager to become full Americans, and make their voices heard at the ballot box in 2008 – lengthy bureaucratic
delays should not put their dreams in jeopardy.”

The NALEO Educational Fund analysis also examines the growing application “frontlog,” the time between when applications are first received by the USCIS’ Regional Service Centers, and when the agency enters those applications in its case management system.  As a result of the “frontlog,” naturalization applicants served by the Vermont and Texas Service Centers are respectively waiting about three and four months before they receive receipts showing their applications have been filed. 

Mr. Vargas continued, “We call on the USCIS to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that all qualified naturalization applicants who applied in FY 2007 are sworn-in as new Americans by July 4, 2008.  This plan must include measurable milestones and outcomes, and the agency must keep the public informed about its progress on a regular basis.  The USCIS should also work with Congress to secure appropriated funding so that it has the resources necessary to implement its plan.  The USCIS imposed a 69% increase in naturalization application fees this year, and it promised to reduce waiting times and make major business and infrastructure enhancements to modernize its operations.  However, many of the newcomers who will be affected by the agency’s delays are the very applicants who paid the higher fees.  The USCIS’ plan must address how its business and technology improvements will help it eliminate the backlog.”  

The ya es hora ¡Ciudadanía! (It’s time, citizenship!) campaign played a key role in the
dramatic surge of naturalization applicants this year. Launched in January 2007, ya es hora is a year-long campaign to educate legal permanent residents throughout the nation about the opportunities of U.S. citizenship, and to mobilize them to apply for U.S. citizenship. 
The campaign involves a collaborative partnership between Spanish-language media companies Univision Communications, Entravision Communications, and impreMedia, and hundreds of local organizations coordinated nationally by the NALEO Educational Fund, National Council of La Raza, the Service Employee International Union, and the We Are America Alliance.

Mr. Vargas concluded, “As the USCIS proceeds with its efforts to address processing delays, it must work closely with both national and local organizations who are familiar with the needs of and experiences of naturalization applicants.  Newcomers who apply for U.S. citizenship are demonstrating a fundamental commitment to this country, and their participation in the electoral process makes our democracy more vital.  We urge the USCIS to make the same commitment to strengthening our democracy by taking swift and effective action to eliminate the naturalization backlog.”