Colleagues,
According to an article in today's Boston Globe, applications for U.S. citizenship are up across the country because of the contentious presidential election. Here are some highlights:
“USCIS has seen an increase in naturalization applications in the last few months compared to the same time last year,” "Nationwide, applications rose to 252,254 last quarter, a 34 percent increase from the prior quarter. Advocates say they hope the trend will create nearly 1 million potential new voters this year." and "last quarter, the applications were 34.6 percent higher than the same quarter in 2015."
Has this trend resulted in increased waiting lists for ESOL/ESL in your program or your state, and/or an increase in students being served. What does this phenomenon look like where you are? Are adult English language learners becoming citizens? Are they more motivated to do this because of the upcoming election and fears about its consequences for them and their families?
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
Comments
I have had four students get their citizenship so far this year, but none because of fears about the election; it was just time.