In the last decade, more than 7.9 million people from around the world have become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process. The top five countries of birth for these new citizens were Mexico, India, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
More than half of those who naturalized lived in California, Florida, New York and Texas. The median age of these individuals for the most recent year was 42; women made up 55% of those who naturalized and were the majority in every age group. (See the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service website(goes to new website) for additional statistics.)
The most common naturalization process requires the applicant to have held lawful permanent residence (green card) for 5 years (or 3 years, if married to a U.S. citizen). To qualify, the applicant must have been physically present in the United States for the required time; live in the current state of residence for at least 90 days; and have “good moral character” for the statutory period. Once the application is filed with USCIS, background checks are conducted, and after processing, the individual is scheduled for an in-person interview. At that interview, applicants must correctly answer civics questions and confirm their ability to read, write and speak English. If USCIS approves the application, the individual is invited to a naturalization ceremony, where the Oath of Citizenship is administered and U.S. citizenship conferred. The United States does not require a person to give up citizenship in another country to be eligible to naturalize; but the country of origin may require the individual to do so should he/she become a U.S. citizen.
There are many benefits to U.S. citizenship, including traveling with a U.S. passport, voting in U.S. elections, serving as a juror, and holding positions in government. It also allows individuals to receive public benefits and financial aid for education, and to petition for family members to come to the United States.
Approximately 24.5 million naturalized citizens live in the United States – about 7% of the U.S. population. As a nation of immigrants, the United States continues to benefit from those who make this country home, regardless of where they were born.
