The U.S. is approving citizenship applications at the fastest speed in years
U.S. citizenship applications are being approved at their fastest pace in years, prompting debate over whether this surge is a neutral effort to clear Trump-era and COVID backlogs or a politically timed push before the election. Commenters contrast America’s relatively average immigrant share (by population) with its heavy economic reliance on newcomers, citing Social Security sustainability, demographic advantage over aging rivals, and “brain drain” from poorer countries. Others focus on the practical strains and design of immigration systems—slow green cards, housing shortages, differing models in Australia and Europe—and share firsthand accounts of both bureaucratic frustration and surprisingly smooth, recently streamlined naturalizations.
Links and context
- Original article is from the LA Times; MSN version is used to avoid paywall, plus an archive link.
- Commenters note the current approval rate is roughly back to 2014 levels.
Reasons for faster citizenship approvals
- Article attributes the uptick to clearing a backlog that began under Trump and worsened during COVID.
- Some suggest this is partly to get cases done before a possible Trump return, when things might slow again.
- Others argue it’s not strictly partisan, pointing out the Biden administration’s general slowness on other priorities (e.g., net neutrality).
- One explanation cites increased USCIS funding, higher fees, and long-delayed digitization, plus removal of Trump-era “roadblocks.”
Comparative immigration and deportation policy
- Discussion of how Obama, Trump, and Biden compare on deportations, with emphasis on changing definitions (e.g., “encounter”) and strategic use of enforcement for negotiation leverage (e.g., “Gang of Eight,” DREAMers).
- Debate on whether the US is especially “welcoming”: it leads in absolute immigrant numbers but is around OECD average by percentage.
Economic, demographic, and housing impacts
- Several view immigration as a key US advantage and geopolitical tool versus China/Russia, helping offset low birth rates and support Social Security.
- Others stress tradeoffs: wage pressure, higher housing demand, and “brain drain” harming sending countries.
- Multiple comments tie housing crises in the US and Australia to underbuilding since 2008 and weak infrastructure investment.
Immigration systems in US vs other countries
- Contrast between points-based systems (e.g., Australia) and US family-based, lottery-heavy, more ambiguous processes.
- Some claim large-scale abuse of Australian student visas; others describe Australia’s strict and intrusive entry requirements for legitimate visitors.
Experiences with naturalization bureaucracy
- Several report very fast recent citizenship processing (on the order of months, same-day oath), with courteous officers and moving ceremonies.
- Others describe earlier experiences as slow and paperwork-heavy, especially green card stages.
Patriotism, legality, and voting power
- Mixed views on overt patriotism: some find it inspiring and inclusive; others see it as irrational or performative.
- Strong divide on expanding the electorate via immigration: one side sees voting as zero-sum and fears dilution; others argue the US historically integrates new groups, that politics can be positive-sum, and that demographic vitality requires more people.