The Trump administration's slowdown in granting US citizenship may have left almost 380,000 immigrants unable to vote in next week's midterm elections, according to an analysis by Stateline, republished by the Alaska Beacon.
Figures from US Citizenship and Immigration Services show about 55,000 citizenship applications were approved between April and June, against more than 230,000 in the same period a year earlier. The agency said it had introduced a longer process, including social media checks for 'anti-American activities' and tougher English and civics requirements.
It is unclear how the would-be citizens would have voted. Naturalised citizens favoured Democrats in 2020, but almost half backed Donald Trump in 2024, according to Pew Research Center. Civil rights groups this week accused the administration of targeting naturalised voters.
Source: Alaska Beacon
