Record number of new U.S. Citizens in 2022!
Kyle Huffman • January 5, 2023
USCIS has released its Fiscal Year 2022 Progress Report, which has shown some interesting trends in the world of immigration. Most notably, USCIS was able to process over 1.1 million naturalization cases and welcome over 1 million new U.S. citizens to the United States in 2022.
This represents the highest number of naturalizations for USCIS in nearly 15 years. At the same time, these statistics show that USCIS has made great progress in reducing the backlog of applications for citizenship that had not been processed during the pandemic. While 2020 and 2021 saw the highest backlog of immigration benefit requests on record, the 2022 statistics show significant efforts to reduce those backlogs.
Along with record numbers of new citizens, the report details how USCIS’ efforts, fueled by new budgetary appropriations authorized by congress specifically to address this backlog, has resulted in significantly reducing the wait time for employment authorization applications.
USCIS also discusses its plans for the coming year 2023. Among these plans are USCIS’ commitment to improving the asylum filing process and creating greater efficiency for refugees. Increasing these processes and efficiencies would be a great improvement, particularly for this vulnerable segment of the population. Hopefully, the Biden Administration will be successful in its current efforts to end Title 42, which allows for the swift removal of some asylum seekers without proper procedure in the courts as a measure to protect public health. While the Biden Administration has been attempting to end Title 42, many Republican lawmakers are urging the courts to delay the removal of this process.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
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Kyle Huffman
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To be eligible for U.S. naturalization based on being a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, you must: Prove you have been a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. for at least five years; Demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years immediately before applying for naturalization; Show you have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the five years immediately before applying for naturalization; and Pass the naturalization test. The naturalization test consists of the English and civics test. The applicant must show his/her ability to read, write, and speak basic English. The interviewing USCIS officer will ask the applicant to read a sentence in English and to write a sentence in English. If the applicant demonstrates his/her ability to read, write, and speak English, the applicant passes this portion of the test. The civics test is an oral test, and the applicant is asked questions about the American government and history. The USCIS officer will ask the applicant up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. To pass this portion of the test, the applicant must answer at least 6 questions correctly. If the applicant satisfies all of the eligibility requirements and passes the naturalization test, the last step before naturalizing is to attend the oath ceremony to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. If you have any questions and would like more information about your eligibility for naturalization, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with our experienced immigration attorneys.
Choosing the right recommenders is one of the most critical steps in building a successful O-1 visa petition. The standard for this visa is a high one, you must not only be an accomplished professional within your field but among the very top cadre of your peers. Reference letters serve as the connective tissue of an O-1 petition, transforming a dry list of accolades into a compelling narrative of extraordinary achievement. While awards and press clippings prove that you did something, reference letters provide the expert testimony necessary to explain why it mattered. In the eyes of USCIS, these letters function as evidence that contextualize your work within the broader industry, offering a level of nuance and credibility beyond the objective facts of your career journey. Without them, an adjudicating officer is left to interpret complex professional milestones in a vacuum; with them, you have a panel of qualified experts certifying that you are not just competent, but extraordinary and indispensable to your field. In short, they are the "voice" of your petition, validating your status as an individual of extraordinary ability. If you are beginning the process of identifying your recommenders, here are four essential qualities you should look for in a contact. 1. High Public Visibility In the eyes of USCIS, the status of the recommender often reflects the status of the applicant. USCIS officers will scrutinize every aspect of your petition, and this includes researching your references. If a recommender is someone who is easily recognizable due to an extensive public profile, especially due to their accomplishments, it makes it easier to verify that their opinion of you as a candidate should be given more weight and taken seriously. Look for individuals who have a "public profile." This could mean: They are frequently quoted in major media outlets. They have a significant social media following or industry-wide recognition. They have won major awards (Oscars, Grammys, Pulitzers, etc.) or hold prestigious titles. Their name is synonymous with success in your specific niche. When an officer sees a letterhead from a globally recognized entity or a signature from a famous figure, it immediately sets the tone that you are a candidate worth evaluating, and the words they have written on your behalf will weigh strongly on the officer’s decision. 2. Significant Accomplishment in the Field Your recommender should be an "expert" in their own right, whatever that means for your particular field. USCIS needs to know that the person praising you is actually qualified to evaluate your talent and knows the difference between someone who is merely accomplished in the field versus someone who has reached the pinnacle of their profession. Ideally, your contact should be more senior or more accomplished than you are. They should have a track record of success that is beyond reproach. However, they don't necessarily have to be in your exact job title. They can be in a related field, provided they are in a position to judge your work. For example, if you are a VFX Artist, a famous Film Director or a Senior Producer would be highly qualified to evaluate your contributions to a production. 3. A Deep Professional or Personal Connection One of the most common mistakes O-1 applicants make is chasing "big names" who don't actually know them. A generic letter from a celebrity who has never met you will likely be dismissed as "boilerplate." The strongest letters come from people who can speak to your work with specificity because they have worked directly with you in a professional context. You should look for contacts who know you through: An extensive personal history: Someone who has mentored you or followed your career trajectory for years, who can thus attest to your professional growth and elite trajectory over time. Direct collaboration: Someone who has worked alongside you in a professional context, and has witnessed your impact as a professional first hand because they were also directly invested in whatever project or goal you were working towards. This can also include peers you competed against, if you are an athlete. Your reference letters should describe specific instances where your skills and accomplishments shined through, or where you and your reference worked together towards meeting some goal. This level of detail comes naturally when your reference truly knows you as a professional because of a deep familiarity with your work or direct experience with you as a professional. 4. A Willingness to Advocate Zealously This is perhaps the most underrated quality in a recommender. You do not want a contact who is only willing to "confirm the facts." A letter that simply affirms facts and offers a standard affirmation of your skills and accomplishments will not convey to the officer that you are truly extraordinary. You should seek recommenders who are willing to be effusive. They should be prepared to use strong language—words like indispensable, unparalleled, world-class, and pioneer. This is a visa for exceptionally accomplished professionals, and for your references to be effective their words must convey to the officer that you are truly extraordinary. If a contact is hesitant to provide a glowing, high-energy recommendation, they may not be the right choice for this specific legal process. Final Thoughts The O-1 visa is a high bar, and your reference letters are the pillars that hold up your petition. By seeking the right qualities in your references, you can ensure that you will receive strong and impactful letters that will in turn help to maximize your chances of receiving an O-1 visa. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, we pride ourselves on assisting our talented clients in every aspect of the O-1 visa process. If you are an exceptionally talented individual considering applying for an O-1 visa, please contact us today and we will be happy to guide you towards a successful outcome.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has concluded the annual H-1B cap lottery for Fiscal Year 2027, with employers and legal representatives now able to check selection outcomes through their registration portals.
In 1948, the world came together to declare that certain rights are inherent to every human being, regardless of nationality. Chief among these is the right to safety.
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