Here’s how many immigrants have become U.S. citizens in recent years
Here’s how many immigrants have become U.S. citizens in recent years
A rising number of people are becoming U.S. citizens, following the waves of immigrants coming to America over the centuries.
Naturalization, the process by which immigrants take citizenship in the United States, extends to foreign nationals the same rights and responsibilities as those held by the native-born. The final step is being sworn in as a U.S. citizen during an oath-taking ceremony. This chart shows how many immigrants have naturalized annually since the early 20th century, via civilian or military pathway.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, 969,380 people were naturalized in 2023. The overall immigrant count is about 47.8 million, representing 14.3% of the U.S. population
In 1991, 1.82 million permits for permanent residency, aka green cards, were issued, the most ever. The second-most, 1.28 million, were issued in 1907. Green card holders are permitted to live and work in the country indefinitely, to join the armed forces and to apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (three if married to a U.S. citizen).
Includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain legal nonimmigrants (such as people on student or work visas), those admitted under refugee or asylum status, and people illegally residing in the United States.
Half of new citizens who naturalized in 2023 lived in California, Texas, Florida or New York.
State | Naturalized citizen count | Percentage of total
California | 154,900 | 18%
Texas | 99,900 | 11%
Florida | 94,100 | 11%
New York | 92,800 | 11%
New Jersey | 39,000 | 4%
Illinois | 33,300 | 4%
Washington | 26,100 | 3%
Pennsylvania | 25,100 | 3%
Massachusetts | 24,100 | 3%
Virginia | 24,100 | 3%
Those who naturalized in 2023 spent a median of seven years as green card holders. Canadians and Mexicans tend to wait longer.
You can read about 10 steps to become a U.S. citizen with this pdf from U.S. Customs here.
Sources: Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Migration Policy Institute, Center for Public Policy at Concordia University, U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Research Center
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