UPDATE: Major Improvements to Naturalization, Including Faster N400 Processing

The Biden Administration’s Bold Steps to Improve the Naturalization Process

President Biden’s executive order is marvelous news for those seeking naturalization because it outlines massive improvements to the naturalization process in order to make it faster and easier for permanent residents looking to become citizens.  In fact, the executive order itself expressly states that it is the policy of the United States to promote naturalization.  

Moreover, the Biden administration will develop a plan in the next two months to make the policy of promoting naturalization a reality for immigrants in this country.  The plan should have action items that the government will take to:

(i) eliminate barriers in and otherwise improve the existing naturalization process, including by conducting a comprehensive review of that process with particular emphasis on the N-400 application, fingerprinting, background and security checks, interviews, civics and English language tests, and the oath of allegiance;

(ii)   substantially reduce processing times with the current naturalization process;

(iii)  make the naturalization process more accessible to all eligible individuals, including through a potential reduction of the naturalization fee and restoration of the fee waiver process;

(iv)   facilitate naturalization for eligible candidates born abroad and members of the military, in consultation with the Department of Defense; and

(v) review policies and practices regarding denaturalization and passport revocation to ensure that these authorities are not used excessively or inappropriately.

As you can see, the Biden Administration has specific goals that will significantly help those seeking to become citizens, like speeding up the process and reducing fees.  In addition, the executive order calls for implementation of the improvements to take effect within six months.

In short, President Biden’s plan to vastly improve the naturalization process for immigrants in the United States is ambitious and will be implemented quickly.  That is great news indeed.

What About the Civics Exam Changes?

As you read this article, you are likely asking yourself:  Will the previous administration’s changes to the civics exam be reversed by the Biden Administration?  The answer to that question is, at this point, unclear.  President Biden’s executive order clearly seeks to eliminate barriers to the naturalization process, which should include applicant-friendly improvements and changes to the civics exam.  Yet, the executive order did not specify whether it will undo the previous administration’s civics exam changes. 

Conclusion

All evidence indicates that the Biden Administration has made a clear commitment to improving immigration services for the 40 million foreign-born people in the United States, and for those who seek to come to our shores.  

My name is Michael Ashoori and I'm a U.S. immigration lawyer and the founder of Ashoori Law. As an immigration lawyer, I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.  If you have any questions, feel free to request a free consultation by clicking this link.