Political Rhetoric Fueling 鈥楽urge鈥 in Citizenship Applications
Author(s)
Jon Stone
Media Relations Manager
An increase in naturalization applications is consistent with past election years
Time is running out for permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship. That鈥檚 what some groups would like you to believe with only four months until the presidential election. They鈥檙e peddling the fear that, if elected, Donald Trump, the Republican Party鈥檚 presumptive nominee, will change laws and shut down the nation鈥檚 borders, preventing immigrants from moving to the U.S.
A Washington Post听听in May added fuel to the fire. In the story, Democrats suggested that Trump鈥檚 proposed policies on immigration would create a 鈥渟urge鈥 of new citizens that would lead to Hillary Clinton getting elected.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there is actually a demonstrable historical surge,鈥 says听, a professor of political philosophy at 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Divisions of听. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 interesting is the rhetoric that is coming from both sides on this issue.鈥
Nail鈥檚 assessment aligns with the latest figures from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the U.S. Thus far in 2016, nearly 450,000 applications for citizenship have been received. In 2012, leading up to the last presidential election, 412,000 applications were submitted.
鈥淲ith respect to elections and the rhetoric, at some point it doesn鈥檛 even matter what is the case, it comes down to what people will believe,鈥 Nail says. He argues that a big part of the rhetoric comes in the use of the word 鈥渟urge.鈥
鈥淭his word is not a neutral word, and it carries connotations when you use it to describe human beings; it means they鈥檙e a negative flow.鈥 Now both parties are using the 鈥渟urge鈥 in citizenship applications to their advantage.
For Republicans and Trump, Nail says, the suggestion of a surge testifies to his true power. 鈥淭hey are saying, 鈥榣ook at how powerful Trump is that he can actually mobilize these people against him.鈥欌
That same perception of power is being used by the Democrats and their nominee, Hillary Clinton. 鈥淭hey are saying 鈥榮he is bringing new people to the polls. This is more evidence that Clinton is going to win because she is getting new voters.鈥欌
One of the largest recent spikes in citizenship applications happened in 2007. While it was right before an election year, the surge had nothing to do with the candidates. Rather, the spike happened because application fees were about to increase from $300 to $595.
The current increase in citizenship applications, and even voter registration, should be expected in the months before an election. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 totally normal that there would be an increase in these years; that just makes sense,鈥 Nail says. 鈥淚 just don鈥檛 think anything historically dramatic is happening right now.鈥