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Citizens-in-waiting: strategic naturalization delays in the USA and UAE

ABSTRACT This article contributes to the study of conditional inclusion by examining the strategic postponement of naturalization cases in the UAE and USA. In both cases, the naturalization cases of specific minority immigrant groups are delayed (potentially indefinitely) by one branch of the federal government in the name of national security. Drawing upon ostensibly opposite cases, I identify delays as an important but largely overlooked strategy of boundary-policing found across regime-types. The pattern of delays reveals whose attempts to become one of “us” is met with greater obstacles. The prolonged questioning of the moral character of certain minorities makes their access to rights contingent upon their behaviour, rather than a statutorily enacted and secure right. Instead of being fully included or excluded, the targets of these deferrals are conditionally included in the host state – suspended in limbo without indication of whether they will receive citizenship or how long they must wait.