Citizenship Ceremonies Diminish as Naturalization Processes Slow
Advocates in Cleveland report a significant decrease in citizenship ceremonies, signaling a broader slowdown in naturalization processes nationwide. This trend appears linked to policy changes and increased scrutiny by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The number of applicants reaching the final oath stage has dropped, leading to fewer ceremonies being scheduled.
National Naturalization Trends Show Decline
National data reflects a decrease in monthly naturalization adjudications. Figures show a drop from 78,379 adjudications in September 2025 to 37,832 by January 2026. Processing times have also seen a reduction, with 83,317 in May 2024 falling to 20,795 by May 2026. This slowdown is occurring while the backlog of pending cases older than six months has more than doubled, reaching 441,362 by May 2026.
Changes to Testing and Review Processes
USCIS has updated the civics test for applications filed on or after October 20, 2025. New applicants must now correctly answer 12 out of up to 20 questions from an expanded pool of 128 questions. Additionally, the agency has reintroduced “neighborhood investigations” as part of the naturalization adjudication process. This added review can introduce more scrutiny before an applicant proceeds to an interview or oath ceremony.
Proposed Fee Increases and Waiver Elimination
A proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security, published in June 2026, suggests raising naturalization fees. The proposed fee for an online Form N-400 filing could increase from $710 to $1,280, and for a paper filing, from $760 to $1,330. The proposal also includes significantly higher fees for Form N-336, used for requesting a hearing on a naturalization decision. Notably, the proposal would eliminate fee waivers and reduced fees for low-income applicants.
Impact on Applicant Wait Times and Decisions
The combination of a more challenging civics test, increased investigation, and potential fee hikes can lead to longer waits for interviews and oath ceremonies. Lawful permanent residents considering naturalization may need to carefully weigh the timing, costs, and potential delays involved in the current system. The process appears to be more expensive and slower compared to previous years, according to available reports. While specific numbers for Cleveland’s ceremony decline are not detailed, the local observations align with these broader national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are citizenship ceremonies decreasing?
Citizenship ceremonies are decreasing because the naturalization process is slowing down due to policy changes and increased scrutiny by USCIS.
How have national naturalization numbers changed?
National data shows a significant drop in monthly naturalization adjudications and processing times, while the backlog of pending cases has more than doubled.
What changes have been made to the testing and review process?
The civics test now requires more correct answers from a larger pool of questions, and USCIS has reintroduced ‘neighborhood investigations’ for added scrutiny.
What are the proposed changes to naturalization fees?
A proposed rule suggests raising fees for naturalization applications and related forms, and would eliminate fee waivers for low-income applicants.
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