USCIS administrative and processing changes

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented several procedural and administrative shifts. The agency initiated a public consultation regarding Form I-90 to evaluate the necessity of data collection and potential technological simplifications for green card renewals.

Concurrently, data shows a significant decline in naturalization case resolutions, with a 73% decrease in cases resolved between April and June 2026 compared to the previous year. This decline has contributed to increased waiting times for citizenship applications, which rose from approximately seven months at the start of the year to over 12 months by August.

Legal experts have also raised concerns regarding interview speeds and biometric data collection. Some attorneys suggest that unusually rapid interviews may indicate officials are quickly rejecting applicants to facilitate removal processes. Additionally, applicants have reported receiving notices regarding FBI privacy requirements for biometric collection, which officials clarify are standard procedures for continuous background checks during pending cases.