More citizenship applications are being lodged in the U.S. than at any time in recent history, with the process streamlined under the Biden administration. It could dramatically impact the 2024 election, particularly in the battleground states where newly naturalized citizens will become voters.
A Record-Breaking Pace for Citizenship Applications
The federal government has quickened the pace for U.S. citizenship applications, reducing the typical wait time to less than five months. This marks significant improvements from delays in the Trump era and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of new Americans are being ushered into the electorate as an expedited process cuts away at a yearslong backlog.
The Political Implications
Fast-rising numbers of citizenship applications are more than merely a story about bureaucratic success; they are a development with serious political overtones. It is not limited to the new citizens being sworn all over the country in the states pivotal to the 2024 presidential battlefields—Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania. Because this right comes as a spiky spur, most of these new Americans seem eager to take up their role in the democratic process.
“Every citizenship application could be a vote that decides Senate seats or even the presidency,” said Xiao Wang, CEO of Boundless, a company that analyzes immigration trends.
A Diverse and Growing Electorate
They come from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The voting patterns of naturalized U.S. citizens have traditionally favored the Democratic Party, particularly among Latino, Asian, and African immigrants. If more green-card holders become citizens, that could tip the political scales in states with large immigrant populations.
While the right to vote principally draws many, voter turnout among the naturalized has generally been lower than that of native-born Americans. Organizations like the NALEO Educational Fund work to bridge this gap by providing information and resources to encourage new citizens to register and vote.
Impact on the 2024 Election
The effect of this wave of new citizens cannot be underestimated as the 2024 election draws closer. With millions of green-card holders eligible to apply for citizenship, there is a high potential for reshaping the electorate. In fact, the 2024 election impact may very well depend on the participation of newly naturalized citizens bringing with them fresh perspectives and a wanting sentiment to be part of the democratic process.
Conclusion
This surge in applications for U.S. citizenship under the Biden administration is now expected to be central in the 2024 election. More immigrants, taking the oath of allegiance to join the ranks of those with a vote at their disposal, could prove pivotal in topping off razor-thin margins in some races.
