Immigration
Almost 1 million migrants became U.S. citizens in Fiscal Year 2022
The top five countries with the most U.S. naturalizations this year were Mexico, India, the Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic
December 8, 2022 10:14pm
Updated: December 13, 2022 3:36pm
Almost one million migrants became U.S. citizens during the fiscal year 2022, becoming the highest number in a decade and the third-highest annual record in U.S. history, according to a new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) report published on Wednesday.
During the previous fiscal period, which ended on September 30,967,400 immigrant adults were naturalized as American citizens across the nation, according to the report.
This year’s figure of adult immigrants who became U.S. citizens was the third highest recorded in U.S. history, surpassed only by 1996 and 2008, when 1,040,991 and 1,046,539 migrants were naturalized respectively, according to government statistics.
The number of total naturalizations during the fiscal year reached a total of 1,023,200 when taking into account the cases of children who obtained citizenship through their American parents.
Most migrants are granted U.S. citizenship after living in the country as permanent residents for three to five years, depending on their residency status. Applicants are required to read and write English, as well as pass an exam covering U.S. history and political structure.
Once migrants are naturalized, they can vote in federal elections, obtain an American passport, and sponsor other family members to come to the U.S.
The top five countries with the most U.S. naturalizations this year were Mexico, India, the Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, according to USCIS.
“It is good for the nation for people to fully become part of this nation, join it in the fullest way that they can," USCIS Director Ur Jaddou said in an interview with CBS News. "That has been a priority since the beginning of this administration and we're going to continue the focus on ensuring that people who wish to become Americans, can be."
USCIS is currently overseeing more than 8.7 million immigration cases, including citizenship cases, asylum requests, work permits, and green card applications, according to government data.
