August 18, 2008

USCIS Updates Projected Naturalization Processing Times

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reduced the backlog for naturalization applications after the surge in filings in 2007. The projected processing times for naturalization applications has decreased from an average of 16-18 months to an average of 10-12 months. According to Jonathan Scharfen, acting USCIS director, the Service’s goal is to process “all naturalization applications within five months by this time next year.” USCIS plans to implement an aggressive hiring plan and expand work hours in order to further reduce the backlog.