USCIS Alert: DHS Reports 75% Decline in Naturalizations – EB-3 Applicants Must Know

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly highlighted a 75% decline in naturalizations, framing the dramatic drop as an achievement. This announcement, shared widely on Reddit's r/USCIS community, has sparked outrage among immigrants and advocates who view it as confirmation that processing slowdowns are a deliberate policy choice rather than an administrative backlog. For EB-3 applicants, the implications extend beyond naturalization. A systemic slowdown at USCIS affects all stages of the immigration pipeline — from I-140 petition approvals to adjustment of status interviews and final green card issuance. If the agency is intentionally deprioritizing immigration benefits, EB-3 priority date movement and processing times could remain suppressed for the foreseeable future. The Reddit post's framing — 'in case you were wondering if this wasn't intentional' — reflects a growing sentiment among the immigrant community that current USCIS delays are not the result of resource constraints but rather deliberate enforcement priorities under the current administration. This is consistent with broader DHS enforcement posture seen throughout 2025–2026. EB-3 applicants are advised to closely monitor the Visa Bulletin for October 2026, which already shows EB-3 retrogression, and to consult with an immigration attorney if their priority date is at risk. Staying informed and ensuring all pending filings are complete and accurate remains the best mitigation strategy in the current environment.