Debate Erupts Over Rapid Citizenship Changes Before 2024 Election

As the 2024 election looms, the Biden-Harris administration’s expedited citizenship process is sparking heated debates.

At a Glance

The U.S. is approving citizenship applications at the fastest speed in a decade.
Critics argue the speed-up may aim to sway the 2024 election.
The Department of Homeland Security denies election-related motives.
Nearly 4 million immigrants have gained U.S. citizenship since 2020.

Citizenship Approvals at Record Speeds

Citizenship applications in the U.S. are being approved faster than at any time in the last decade, raising questions about its potential impact on the upcoming 2024 presidential election. President Biden’s administration attributes this unprecedented speed to efforts aimed at reducing a backlog that grew during the last administration and the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported a backlog reduction from 943,000 applications at the end of 2020 to 408,000 by September 2023. The changes include prioritizing applications, accepting online submissions, and increasing personnel to handle the surge.

The Debate Over Motives

While the administration insists that the expedited process is purely logistical, critics argue that it may have political motivations. Those opposing the surge in applications suggest that granting citizenship to millions of immigrants—who generally lean Democratic—could be an attempt to influence the election outcome.

The Department of Homeland Security assures that no actions have been taken with electoral politics in mind. “The Department of Homeland Security ‘does not take actions based on electoral politics or upcoming elections. Period,’” stated spokesperson Naree Ketudat.

Potential Election Impact

Since the 2020 election, almost 4 million immigrants have become U.S. citizens, with another 9 million eligible to naturalize. Naturalized citizens tend to vote in higher numbers in close races. Many of these new citizens live in key swing states like Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

Comparing the Candidates

The political stakes are high given the contrasting positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on key issues such as taxes, abortion, immigration, global alliances, and climate change. Harris supports the Green New Deal and opposes offshore drilling, while Trump promotes increased oil drilling and opposes Biden’s climate regulations.

The upcoming 2024 presidential race will provide a stark choice for voters, with implications that extend far beyond immigration policy. Both candidates offer significant and divergent paths for the future of the United States.