Immigrants Facing Epic Citizenship Delays

Rush to beat fee hike has wait at 18 months

By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 25, 2008 5:40 PM CST

(Newser) – Over one million immigrants will have to wait up to 18 months before become US citizens due to a massive bureaucratic backlog nationwide. Applications surged last summer ahead of a fee increase of nearly 75%, the Boston Globe reports, helping create the paper jam. Before the increase, the average immigrant waited six months to be processed.

The delays have prompted fierce criticism, in particular because longer waits could mean hundreds of thousands of unrealized potential votes in this year's election. In Florida alone, roughly 200,000 immigrant are hoping to cast ballots in November, CNN reports, enough to swing the state significantly in either direction; pending Immigration Bureau backup hirings are unlikely to speed things up substantially.

Sony Bellony, 31, of Haiti raises his right hand as he is sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Four ceremonies are taking place Wednesday... (Associated Press)

Emilio Gonzalez, director of the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on "Naturalization... (Associated Press)

Ana Henriquez Diaz, 41, of the Dominican Republic, left, is hugged by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, right, after being sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla. Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

Gerald Saint Louis, of Haiti, waits to be sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Four ceremonies are taking place Wednesday and Thursday... (Associated Press)

Jose Feliz, 64, of Cuba, holds an American flag in his mouth after being sworn in as a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Miami Beach, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Four ceremonies are... (Associated Press)

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Immigrants Facing Epic Citizenship Delays

Rush to beat fee hike has wait at 18 months

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Rush to beat fee hike has wait at 18 months

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

immigration • immigration reform • citizenship • Citizenship and Immigration Services • bureaucracy • Election 2008

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Problems Plague Immigration Agency

Critics call for overhaul of inefficient, backlogged operations

Illegal Population to Boom if We Kill 14th Amendment

5M US-born illegal residents by 2050

Thousands Rally for Immigrant Rights

Activists call for end to deportations, better access to health care

Citizenship Delays Will Impact Election

Hundreds of thousands will miss chance to vote due to backlog

McCain Switches Gears on Immigration

Supports crackdown without guest workers, path to citizenship

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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