On December 19, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy alert rescinding prior guidance that allowed expedited processing of naturalization applications for certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. This change is effective immediately and applies to both pending and newly filed applications.
What Changed?
USCIS has formally removed sections of the USCIS Policy Manual that previously permitted expedited processing of Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) for certain SSI beneficiaries.
As a result:
- USCIS will no longer automatically expedite naturalization applications based solely on an applicant’s SSI status.
- SSI-related benefit expiration will no longer serve as a standalone basis for expedited naturalization processing.
- All requests for expedited processing will now be evaluated only under USCIS’s general expedite criteria.
Background: Why This Policy Existed
The expedited processing policy originated from a class action lawsuit, Kaplan v. Chertoff, filed in 2006. The lawsuit involved certain humanitarian immigrants who were at risk of losing SSI benefits due to delays in their immigration and naturalization applications.
Under a 2008 settlement agreement:
- USCIS agreed to expedite adjustment of status and naturalization applications for certain SSI beneficiaries.
- Cases could be expedited even without a formal request if SSI benefits were at risk.
This settlement expired in 2011. Additionally, temporary statutory extensions that expanded SSI eligibility for certain refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian immigrants have also ended. USCIS has now formally rescinded the related policy guidance.
Who Is Affected?
This policy change may impact:
- Refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants receiving SSI
- Naturalization applicants who previously relied on SSI eligibility as a basis for expedited processing
- Applicants with pending Form N-400 applications expecting expedited handling due to SSI status
What Has Not Changed
Importantly, this update does not eliminate expedited processing altogether.
- Applicants may still request expedited processing under USCIS’s general expedite criteria, such as severe financial loss, urgent humanitarian reasons, or compelling government interests.
- All statutory eligibility requirements for naturalization remain unchanged.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
If you or a family member receive SSI and are planning to apply for naturalization:
- File your application as early as you are eligible to reduce the risk of delays
- Plan carefully if continued SSI eligibility is a concern
- Consult with an experienced immigration attorney to assess timing, eligibility, and whether a general expedite request may still be appropriate
If you have questions about how this USCIS policy update may affect your case, speaking with qualified immigration counsel can help you navigate your options and avoid unintended consequences.
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JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
