U.S. citizenship approvals fell 72% during the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to data reported by The Washington Post. The decline comes as the Trump administration increases scrutiny of naturalization applications and the backlog of pending cases continues to grow.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved approximately 173,000 applicants between January and August. Meanwhile, the number of pending naturalization cases climbed from roughly 500,000 at the start of the Trump administration’s second term to more than 800,000 by August.

The slowdown does not mean that more applicants are being denied citizenship. Denials also fell by 41% during the first eight months of 2026, indicating that the agency is processing substantially fewer cases overall.

The administration has introduced stricter screening measures, including a revised civics test, closer reviews of applicants’ English proficiency and character, and additional scrutiny of social media activity. USCIS has also resumed neighborhood investigations of some naturalization applicants and prioritized reviewing certain immigration cases approved under the Biden administration.

The Department of Homeland Security says the changes are intended to strengthen vetting and ensure citizenship is granted only to those who qualify. Critics argue that the delays and additional scrutiny are creating unnecessary obstacles for eligible immigrants.

Average naturalization processing times reached nearly 13 months by August, up from approximately six months a year earlier. The growing backlog has left many applicants uncertain about when they will complete the process.

The delays could also affect immigrants hoping to vote in the November 3 midterm elections. Legal permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections, and applicants must complete the naturalization process, including taking the Oath of Allegiance, before becoming U.S. citizens.

The sharp decline in approvals has intensified debate over the administration’s immigration enforcement and citizenship policies, as thousands of applicants face extended waits for decisions on their cases.