9 Million Immigrants Eligible for U.S. Citizenship in 2025

Don’t Like Trump’s Immigration Policies?  Become an American Citizen and Vote!

Recent study reveals that approximately 9 million immigrants in the United States are currently eligible for naturalization.

For those green card holders who oppose Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, those that are eligible should consider applying for naturalization so that they can vote and influence future policy changes.

Introduction

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a major milestone for immigrants, offering benefits such as the right to vote, access to more job opportunities, and legal protections. As of 2022, over 24.5 million immigrants had become naturalized U.S. citizens, comprising 53% of the total immigrant population. This article explores historical trends, eligibility criteria, and demographic insights into the naturalization process in the United States.

The report identifies states with the highest number of eligible lawful permanent residents:

State	Eligible Immigrants (%)
California	26%
New York	14%
Texas	12%
Florida	8%

🔹 Nearly 60% of all eligible immigrants reside in these four states, making them key areas for voter outreach and naturalization assistance.

📌 Find a USCIS office near you

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Naturalization grants individuals:

• The right to vote in federal elections.
• Eligibility for certain government jobs.
• The ability to sponsor family members for U.S. residency.
• Protection from deportation.
• Access to public benefits available only to citizens.
• A U.S. passport for international travel.

Changes Over the Years

Over the past few decades, the number of naturalized citizens has fluctuated due to policy changes, administrative processing speeds, and global events.

• 2023: Approximately 878,500 individuals became U.S. citizens.
• 2022: Naturalizations peaked at 969,400, the highest in a decade.
• 2020: A sharp decline to 628,300 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase in recent years reflects efforts to reduce processing backlogs and streamline the naturalization process.

Median Processing Time

• 2021: 11.5 months
• 2024 (May): 5 months

USCIS has made efforts to expedite applications, though some applicants may still experience delays based on location and workload.

Cost of Naturalization

As of April 2024, the naturalization fee increased to $760 ($710 for online submissions). However, USCIS now offers a 50% discount for applicants with household incomes under 400% of the federal poverty line.

Top Countries of Origin (2023)

1. Mexico
2. India
3. The Philippines
4. Dominican Republic
5. Cuba

Together, these five countries accounted for 32% of all new U.S. citizens in 2023.

Half of all new citizens lived in just four states:

• California
• Texas
• Florida
• New York

Other major states include Illinois, Georgia, and Virginia.

• Median wait time: 7 years
• Longest waits: Immigrants from Mexico and Canada (10.4 years)
• Shortest waits: Immigrants from India (5.9 years) and the Philippines (6.7 years)

Eligibility Requirements for Naturalization

To become a U.S. citizen, an applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Pass English language and civics tests.
• Take the Oath of Allegiance.

Exemptions & Special Cases

• Immigrants over 50 years old who have lived in the U.S. for 20 years can be exempted from the English test.
• Members of the U.S. military can naturalize on an expedited basis and are exempt from some residency requirements.

While many eligible immigrants pursue naturalization, barriers exist:

• High application fees
• Language barriers
• Complex paperwork
• Lengthy processing times
• Concerns over dual citizenship

Denial of Applications

Applicants can be denied naturalization for reasons such as:

• Insufficient residency proof.
• Criminal history.
• Failing the English or civics test.
• Lack of allegiance to the U.S.

In 2023, about 100,300 applications were denied, a 10% decrease from 2022.

Military Naturalizations

Service in the U.S. military provides an expedited path to citizenship.

• FY 2023: 12,100 military members naturalized.
• FY 2022: 10,700 military members naturalized.
• Military members do not need to meet residence or physical presence requirements.

The U.S. government continues to explore:

• Reducing processing times.
• Improving access to application resources.
• Lowering financial barriers for low-income applicants.

Interactive Data Tools

• Annual Naturalization Statistics

Eligible to Naturalize Dashboard

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One of the most significant findings in the report is the decrease in processing times for naturalization applications:

• Average processing time: Less than five months as of May 2024.
• Improvement since 2022: Over a 50% reduction.
• Impact: Eligible green card holders who apply in July 2024 might be approved in time to register and vote.

Factors Contributing to Faster Processing

• Increased funding for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to clear backlogs.
• Policy adjustments to streamline case processing.
• Enhanced digital tools improving application efficiency.

📌 Check your eligibility for U.S. citizenship

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The federal agency responsible for processing naturalization applications, USCIS, has made strides in reducing its backlog:

• 2023 backlog: 416,034 pending applications.
• Compared to 2020: A 44% decrease from the peak of 942,669 applications.
• Lowest backlog since 2015, signaling an increasingly efficient system.

How This Affects Applicants

• Faster processing reduces waiting times for applicants eager to gain full civic rights.
• Shorter delays mean more immigrants can participate in elections, apply for federal jobs, and travel freely with a U.S. passport.

📌 Track your case status

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While the current administration has made citizenship more accessible, future elections could bring significant policy shifts. Key points to consider:

Biden Administration Policies

✔️ Streamlined naturalization processes.

✔️ Increased resources to reduce backlog.

✔️ Support for immigrant integration and voter registration initiatives.

 Changes Under Trump  Administration

❌ Proposed end to birthright citizenship (affecting children of non-citizen parents).

 ❌ Mass deportation plans for undocumented immigrants.

❌ Potential delays or restrictions on citizenship applications.

These factors emphasize the importance of timely naturalization and civic participation for eligible green card holders.

📌 Learn more about U.S. naturalization policy

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Gaining U.S. citizenship provides numerous benefits, including:

• Right to Vote: Influence policies that affect your community.
• Access to Federal Jobs: Many government positions require citizenship.
• Protection from Deportation: Naturalized citizens cannot be deported.
• U.S. Passport: Easier travel and access to consular services abroad.

Take Action Today

✔️ Check eligibility for U.S. citizenship.
✔️ Submit your application before key election deadlines.
✔️ Stay informed about policy changes that may affect your status.

📌 Start your citizenship application

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Naturalization is a crucial step in the integration of immigrants into the U.S. By becoming citizens, immigrants gain full participation in society, enhanced legal protections, and improved economic opportunities. Efforts to streamline and improve the process continue, ensuring that more eligible individuals can achieve their goal of U.S. citizenship.

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Related Resources

🔹 How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship
🔹 Understanding the U.S. Naturalization Test
🔹 Find Free Citizenship Preparation Classes

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• USCIS Immigration and Citizenship Data
• Naturalization Test Study Guide
• Fee Waiver Application Information