Q. Are you stuck with a long-pending citizenship application? 

A. Many people have contacted Rian recently to inquire about long-pending applications for naturalization (US citizenship), and who have not yet been called for interviews. They wonder, understandably, whether they have reason to be concerned. If you are one of them, know that many people are in the same situation due to unprecedented agency backlogs. 

Of course, in addition to the stress of having an unresolved naturalization application, applicants whose cases are stuck in long-term processing are prevented from engaging in activities reserved for citizens, like voting. 

Several factors have contributed to this agency backlog. In Sept. 2025, the current presidential administration changed the naturalization requirements to make the civics/American history test more challenging, applying the new format to applications received on or after Oct. 20, 2025. As a result, many people filed prior to that date, creating a major surge in submissions. Additionally, the tense immigration climate has prompted many long-time permanent residents to seek naturalization for the first time, and more intensive vetting procedures have slowed processing further. 

As of June 2026, USCIS data showed 17,310 naturalization applications pending at the Boston Field Office and 13,973 pending at the Lawrence Field Office. Because naturalization requires an in-person interview, these high numbers directly cause long waiting times. 

So, if you are still awaiting a naturalization interview, what can you do? Some people submit online or written inquiries to the local office, but this may not produce movement. In fact, if your case is within normal processing times, USCIS does not even allow online inquiries. For example, as of Oct. 26, 2026, an N-400 application pending since Oct. 20, 2025, is still considered within normal processing times, more than a year later. 

For cases pending outside normal processing times where online inquiries produce no result, contacting the constituent services official at your senator’s or district congressperson’s office can help, as these representatives are sometimes able to push long-pending cases forward. 

If you have an urgent need for naturalization—such as losing a job opportunity reserved for US citizens or needing to petition for a family member experiencing severe medical hardship—you can submit a documented expedite request via your online USCIS account. However, keep in mind that even well documented expedite requests are frequently denied. 

Finally, you might consider consulting with an attorney about filing a writ of mandamus, a federal lawsuit to compel USCIS to schedule your interview and continue application processing. The risk with mandamus lawsuits, however, is that a federal judge cannot order USCIS to approve your application; forcing the agency to act could still result in a denial. You should fully explore the pros and cons with an attorney based on your specific circumstances before pursuing this route. 

In conclusion, if your application is stuck in pre-interview limbo, it does not necessarily mean you have reason to be concerned, and there are many people in your same situation. Consult with an attorney about your specific situation and what remedies, if any, may exist for pushing your case along. 

Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform the general public, not to advise in individual cases. All law, including immigration law, is always subject to change. If you seek legal advice, you can contact Rian’s immigration legal staff at 617-984-6542.