Despite a considerable backlog in citizenship applications, even more immigrants are seeking these legal protections since the Trump administration took office on January 20, 2017. Adverse actions on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have prompted caution on the part of legal permanent residents of the U.S. as well as undocumented immigrants in this country. This increase in applications has resulted in much longer wait times for those seeking to become U.S. citizens.
Steadily Increasing Backlogs
According to immigration advocates, wait times for citizenship tests and interviews typically ranged between four and six months under the Obama administration. Today, appointments for these tests may take as long as 22 months to schedule. The increased wait times are being blamed on a major increase in the number of applications being made by individuals with green cards who want to solidify their status as legal residents of the U.S.
Hundreds of Thousands of Pending Applications
According to figures released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are currently more than 750,000 pending citizenship applications currently in the system. This represents an increase of almost 20 percent during the time Trump has held office and is nearly double the number of applications pending in 2014. USCIS denies that there has been a slowdown in application processing and blames the extreme backlog of cases on the increased number of applicants for citizenship in the United States.
Increasing the Chances of Success
For those dealing with issues with ICE or attempting to navigate the citizenship applications process, working with a Miami immigration lawyer is often the most effective strategy for achieving a positive outcome. By retaining the services of an experienced Miami immigration lawyer to help with filing paperwork and addressing issues with visas, immigrants and their families can often streamline the process necessary to achieve lawful permanent residency status or citizenship in the U.S. This can help to promote greater peace of mind for families in Miami and the surrounding areas.
Assisting You With Your Citizenship Applications
At Pozo Goldstein, our team of Miami immigration lawyers can provide you with expert help in all aspects of the immigration process. We can assist you in completing your citizenship application and can help you to avoid any errors or oversights that could delay the process. This can ensure that you and your family have the best chance possible to remain in the U.S. legally. Call us today at 305-865-0400 to schedule an initial consultation with us. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
