Why there were fewer naturalizations in the United States during the Trump administration
Key Takeaways
- Naturalizations fell during the Trump years; experts point to longer processing times, stricter vetting and a chilling political climate as principal drivers.
- USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) operational changes, staffing and backlog issues, and the COVID-19 disruptions in 2020 amplified delays.
- It has been reported that fee concerns, reduced outreach and more denials or Requests for Evidence (RFEs) discouraged some eligible permanent residents from applying.
- The decline affected real people: delayed voting rights, job eligibility and family petition advantages for many lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
Background
Naturalization—the process by which lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens using Form N‑400—fell compared with earlier years. USCIS is the agency that adjudicates N‑400 applications, conducts interviews, administers the Oath of Allegiance and checks applicants’ eligibility through criminal and national security vetting. Becoming a citizen confers voting rights, certain federal job eligibility, and faster petitioning for relatives; when naturalizations slow, those benefits are delayed for many families.
Why numbers dropped
Multiple factors converged. Processing times lengthened at many USCIS field offices, and it has been reported that expanded and more intensive background checks increased the number of RFEs and denials, or simply extended adjudication timelines. Staffing constraints, internal policy changes that emphasized more stringent adjudication standards, and cuts to outreach that used to help eligible residents navigate the N‑400 process all appear to have contributed. It has also been reported that fee concerns and a perceived hostile rhetoric toward immigrants discouraged some eligible people from applying.
The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 delivered an acute shock: USCIS offices closed or limited in‑person services for months, hearings and oath ceremonies were postponed, and backlogs rose sharply. Those operational disruptions amplified existing delays and meant many applicants waited far longer than the statutory or expected timelines.
What it means for applicants now
For someone considering applying for citizenship today, the practical takeaway is to prepare for potentially long processing times and rigorous documentation requests. Keep records of continuous residence and good moral character evidence, respond promptly to RFEs, and consider legal counsel if facing a denial—there are administrative appeals (Form N‑336) and federal options available. Policy shifts can change timelines, so monitor USCIS processing times and local field office notices. Above all, delays are not just bureaucratic: they postpone voting, federal job eligibility and family immigration benefits for individuals and households.
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