Backlog of citizenship applications a hurdle to would-be immigrant voters


By RICK MONTGOMERY
The Kansas City Star

Mired somewhere in the backlog of U.S. citizenship applications are the forms that Martin Okpareke filed more than four years ago.

Since then, the Kansas Citian from Nigeria has seen his wife and friends apply and be sworn in. Two sons, both U.S. citizens, have gone from crawling to toddling to sprinting through the house.

For Okpareke, 41, a crucial hour is closing in.

“I want to vote. I need to vote. That is my angst,â€