The Biden administration is fast-tracking citizenship applications at a pace not seen in over a decade, aggressively working through the backlog that accumulated during the Trump administration and the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, this expedited process is not just an administrative decision—it’s a move with significant political implications.
Every week, across the United States, thousands of immigrants are taking the oath of allegiance, becoming U.S. citizens, and earning the right to vote. While it’s still unclear how many of these new voters reside in critical swing states, the potential impact on the upcoming election cannot be ignored. States like Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, which are expected to be key battlegrounds in the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, are home to large and growing numbers of naturalized citizens.
Take Savannah, Georgia, for example. Recently, a federal courthouse there welcomed people from 19 different countries as they took the final step toward becoming American citizens. Among them was Gladis Brown, who emigrated from Honduras in 2018 and is married to an American citizen. “My case was done in less than six months,” Brown noted, expressing her gratitude for the expedited process. Her motivation to become a citizen was clear: she wanted the right to vote in the upcoming election.
This surge in naturalizations is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to reshape the American electorate. Under the guise of reducing backlogs, the administration has deployed new technology, hired additional staff, and streamlined the naturalization process, all while raising fees and simplifying applications. These actions follow an executive order signed by President Biden in 2021, which aimed to reverse the previous administration’s “hard-line” immigration policies and “restore faith” in the legal immigration system.
But this rush to naturalize new voters ahead of a pivotal election raises concerns. The connection between these new citizens and their potential impact on the political landscape is not lost on anyone paying attention. Xiao Wang, CEO of Boundless, a company that analyzes immigration trends, pointed out, “Every citizenship application could be a vote that decides Senate seats or even the presidency.” With over 3.3 million immigrants having become citizens during Biden’s tenure, the stakes are high, especially with less than two months remaining in the 2024 fiscal year.
The rapid pace of naturalization under Biden contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s approach. Under President Trump, the process became more rigorous, with longer reviews and increased scrutiny. Processing times doubled, and as a result, some 300,000 would-be voters were unable to naturalize in time for the 2020 election. The Biden administration’s reversal of these policies has sparked concern among conservatives who see this as a blatant attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party.
While it’s true that lawful permanent residents—commonly known as green-card holders—have the right to apply for citizenship after holding that status for a certain period, the fact remains that not all of these new citizens will automatically register to vote or even show up at the polls. Historically, naturalized citizens have had lower voter registration rates compared to native-born Americans. But with organizations like the League of Women Voters actively registering new citizens at swearing-in ceremonies, the push to get these individuals to the polls is unmistakable.
The demographic shift in the electorate is undeniable. Naturalized citizens, particularly Latinos, Asians, and Africans, tend to lean Democratic. As such, their increasing numbers could alter the balance of power in key states. However, it’s important to recognize that citizenship is more than just a path to voting; it offers legal protections and benefits that are invaluable to these individuals and their families.
The fast-tracking of citizenship applications is not just a bureaucratic move—it’s a calculated strategy with far-reaching implications. The administration’s efforts to naturalize as many immigrants as possible before the 2024 election could significantly influence the outcome, particularly in swing states. As the country prepares for what promises to be a contentious election, the rush to citizenship is yet another example of how immigration policy continues to be a highly politicized issue in America.
