Did you know that in 2012, USCIS naturalized 757,434 LPRs in 2012? According to 2012 DHS data, of the 40.8 million people who comprise the foreign-born U.S. population, 18.7 million immigrants are currently naturalized U.S. citizens. This sounds like a lot, but accounts for only 6 percent of the total U.S. population!
So where did our newly naturalized citizens come from, you ask? Immigrants from the following countries accounted for approximately 49 percent of all naturalizations that year:
- 13 percent were born in Mexico (102,181)
- 6 percent each in the Philippines (44,958) and India (42,928)
- Dominican Republic (33,351)
- China (31,868), Cuba (31,244)
- Colombia (23,972)
- Vietnam (23,490)
- Haiti (19,114)
- El Salvador (16,685)
USCIS estimates indicate that 13.3 million LPRs were residing in the United States as of January 1, 2012. This means that 8.8 million or more people may be eligible to naturalize currently! Are you among them?
To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, LPRs must meet a number of criteria, including being at least 18 years of age, having resided in the United States with LPR status continuously for at least five years, and passing a basic English and civics exam. For any questions about naturalizing, please feel free to contact Your Immigration Angel!