Naturalization is the process of conferring U.S. citizenship upon a foreign citizen or national after that individual fulfills the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Mexican immigration statistics show that in 2005 that country was the leading country by birth for naturalization, with 77,089 new U.S. citizens out of a total 604,280.

U.S. immigration statistics show the Philippines were next with 36,671, followed by India with 35,962, Vietnam with 32,926, and China, with 31,708. The largest numbers of people becoming naturalized citizens lived in California, New York and Florida.

Requirements for Naturalization Documented

Requirements for naturalization are documented in the Immigration and Nationality Act and include age, lawful admission, and residence in the U.S. To qualify for naturalization a foreign national must be at least 18 years of age, have lawful permanent residence, and must have been a continuous U.S. resident for at least five years. Applicants must also be able to speak, read and write in English, be of good moral character and possess knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Some applicants may be exempt from certain provisions, with spouses and children of U.S. citizens and military classes constituting the main classes of special naturalization. Most of those naturalizing as spouses of U.S. citizens can do so in three years instead of five. Foreign-born children under the age of 18, including adopted children, receive U.S. citizenship automatically if they meet certain requirements.

The requirements include being lawful permanent residents with at least one U.S. citizen parent. Under certain conditions children of a U.S. citizen residing abroad may be naturalized.

Applicants Must Be Interviewed

Every applicant who is 18 or older has to file an N-400 application for naturalization. Those filing this application who meet the preliminary documentary requirements must be interviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers to determine their eligibility to naturalize. This is to verify the applicant's understanding and knowledge of English, U.S. history and government. Applicants found to be qualified are sworn in as U.S. citizens before a judge or officer delegated by the Director of USCIS.

At the end of 2005 there were 552,000 applications for naturalization awaiting decisions. The number of people naturalizing in the U.S. grew 12 per cent from 2004 to 2005.

Continue to : Historical Immigration Statistics in the United States

The Green Card: Ticket to Permanent U.S. Residence
Win a U.S. Visa: The Diversity Lottery Program
The Basics of the U.S. Naturalization Process
Investigate Job Opportunities in U.S. Immigration

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Requirements for Naturalization Documented

Applicants Must Be Interviewed

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