USCIS Releases Report on U.S. Naturalizations in 2011

USCIS has released a report on the number and characteristics of naturalization applications for 2011.     The report focuses on the applicants who were 18 and over and who became U.S. citizens during 2011.    According to the data, in 2011, the total number of persons naturalizing was 694,193.   The leading countries of birth of new citizens were Mexico (94,783), India (45,985), the Philippines (42,520), the People’s Republic of China (32,864), and Colombia (22,693).  The largest number of persons naturalizing lived in California (151,183), Florida (87,309), and New York (76,603).

Historical Trend in the Number of Naturalizations

The number of persons naturalizing in the United States increased to 694,193 in 2011 from 619,913 in 2010 following a decrease from 743,715 in 2009 and 1,046,539 in 2008. The record number of naturalizations in 2008 followed a surge in applications in 2007 in advance of an application fee increase and efforts to encourage eligible immigrants to naturalize. The annual number of applications for naturalization decreased from 2007 to 2008 and increased again after 2008 to 760,000 in 2011.

Region and Country of Birth of Naturalized Applicants

Thirty-six percent of persons naturalizing in 2011 were born in Asia, followed by 31 percent from North America, and 12 percent from Europe. Mexico was the leading country of birth of persons naturalizing in 2011 (14 percent). The next leading countries of origin of new citizens in 2011 were India (6.6 percent), the Philippines (6.1 percent), the People’s Republic of China (4.7 percent), and Colombia (3.3 percent). The 10 countries with the largest number of naturalizations accounted for 48 percent of all new citizens in 2011.

Leading States and Metropolitan Areas of Residence

Seventy-three percent of all persons naturalizing in 2011 resided in 10 states. California was home to the largest percentage of persons naturalizing (22 percent), followed by Florida (13 percent) and New York (11 percent). Fifty-one percent of all new citizens in 2011 lived in 10 metropolitan areas.   The leading metropolitan areas of residence were New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA (14 percent), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA (9 percent), and Miami-Fort Lauderdale- Pompano Beach, FL (8 percent).

Years in Immigrant Status

Persons naturalizing in 2011 spent a median of six years in legal permanent resident status before becoming citizens. Immigrants born in Africa spent the least time in legal immigrant status (5 years), followed by immigrants from Asia, Europe, and South America (6 years), Oceania (7 years), and North America (10 years). The median years spent in LPR status was unchanged overall in comparison to 2010, but increased by one year for persons born in Asia and South America (meaning that folks waited longer before they applied for citizenship).