The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. Deciding to become a U. Candidates for citizenship must show they are committed to the unifying principles that bind us as Americans. For that commitment, in return, they will enjoy the rights and privileges fundamental to U.
USCIS welcomed , new citizens in fiscal year during naturalization ceremonies held across the United States and around the world. The Houston 3. Among the top five countries of birth for people naturalizing in FY , Mexico was the lead country, with Applicants who submit a Form N, Application for Naturalization, list their current address on the form.
Using this information, USCIS can determine the state of residence at the time a person applied for naturalization. The top five cities including boroughs where people who naturalized resided were in descending order : Miami, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Houston, and Los Angeles. The median age of those naturalizing in FY was 42 years. To be eligible for naturalization, an applicant must fulfill certain eligibility requirements set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act INA.
The requirements generally include being a lawful permanent resident LPR for at least five years. In general, an alien must spend at least 5 years as a lawful permanent resident to be eligible for naturalization while a spouse of a U. The countries with the largest number of new citizens in FY and their median years spent as an LPR are shown below. Out of these top countries, applicants from Mexico spent the longest time, with Most people who naturalized came to the United States as immediate relatives of U.
Section of the INA requires that naturalization applicants demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language and have a knowledge and understanding of U.
