A bureaucratic ‘wall’ delays immigrant citizenship
On Behalf of Coughlon Law Firm, PLLC. | Sep 14, 2018 | US Immigration Law
Making the adjustment to the American way of life can be difficult for some lawful permanent resident immigrants as they take the necessary steps to become U.S. citizens. One aspect of which many immigrants are experiencing first-hand is the often cumbersome American bureaucracy. Although there has a backlog for years, since the Trump administration has assumed the reins of power, the time required to become a citizen has doubled or tripled in Arizona and most areas of the country. In sections where there are large immigrant communities, the wait could be four to six times as long.
Critics of the administration suggest a nefarious scheme is at hand while supporters point out there are good reasons for the delays. Administration officials suggest part of the responsibility for the delay is due to Obama-era changes in lengthening the application and point out the numbers of new citizens has remained consistent over the years.
Others contend that due to a greater influx of applicants, more citizens should be sworn in currently than in previous years. They claim the interview process has been purposefully tightened and delves into meaningless minutia and suggest the bureaucratic wall is designed to impact new voter numbers, who they assume will take an anti-administration stance.
The path to U.S. citizenship can be an arduous process. Even for those who experience no problems with the visa application and receive a green card, the journey has just begun. An individual experiencing difficulty at any stage of the process may want to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer.