In Boston, on December 4th, immigrants approved for naturalization were unexpectedly pulled from line at the oath ceremony by USCIS officials. This action was taken due to the immigrants’ countries of origin, stemming from the Trump administration’s designation of 19 high-risk countries. Two days prior, USCIS had instructed employees to halt all immigration applications from these specific nations, impacting both green card and citizenship applicants. These actions have been met with criticism, with many immigrants expressing feelings of devastation and fear.
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The Japanese government is considering stricter citizenship requirements. The proposed changes would likely extend the minimum residency period required before an individual can apply for citizenship, currently set at five years. This potential shift reflects ongoing efforts to regulate immigration and citizenship policies. Further details on the specific length of extended residency are currently unknown but are expected to be announced in the near future.
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Germany has granted a record number of citizenships in 2024, a surge fueled largely by a significant increase in the number of Russians receiving German nationality. The overall number of naturalizations reached a new high, exceeding all previous years since record-keeping began in 2000. This represents a substantial jump of nearly half, or 46%, compared to 2023’s figures. While Syrians constituted the largest single group of new citizens, the remarkable sixfold increase in Russian naturalizations stands out, highlighting a major shift in immigration patterns.
This dramatic rise in Russian citizenships, from a mere 1,995 in 2023 to 12,980 in 2024, accounts for 4% of all naturalizations last year.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood