Sign in Subscribe
Emigration and immigration

Naturalization in the United States: A Comprehensive Guide

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Immigration policy analyst Holly Straut-Eppsteiner from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) issued a report detailing the process of naturalization in the United States. According to the report, approximately 26 million naturalized U.S. citizens reside in the United States, representing about 51% of the total foreign-born population. U.S. citizenship offers various benefits and rights, including eligibility for a U.S. passport and the right to vote and run for elected office.

Key Takeaways:

  • In 2024, approximately 26 million naturalized U.S. citizens resided in the United States, representing about 51% of the total foreign-born population.
  • U.S. citizenship affords certain rights, benefits, and eligibility, including eligibility for a U.S. passport, the right to vote and run for elected office, and protection from deportation.
  • Naturalization applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being an LPR, meeting U.S. residence and physical presence requirements, demonstrating English language ability and knowledge of U.S. history and civics, having good moral character, and showing attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.
  • USCIS adjudicates naturalization applications, and eligibility requires being an LPR for at least 5 years of continuous U.S. residence, with 30 months of physical presence in the United States.
  • LPRs who have been married to a U.S. citizen for at least 3 years may naturalize after 3 years of U.S. residence and 18 months of physical presence.
  • Individuals who apply while in service or within 6 months of discharge in the U.S. Armed Forces are exempt from residence and physical presence requirements.
  • Good moral character is determined on a case-by-case basis by USCIS, considering factors such as community involvement, employment history, and absence or presence of criminal history.
  • The INA contains special provisions for the naturalization of noncitizen members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • USCIS announced a policy memorandum in August 2025, directing USCIS officers to place a greater emphasis on positive attributes or contributions when determining GMC.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 26 million naturalized U.S. citizens resided in the United States in 2024, representing about 51% of the total foreign-born population.
  • In FY2024, approximately 818,500 persons naturalized.
  • The largest proportion of individuals who naturalized from FY2014-FY2023 were from Asia and North America (including Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America), each representing more than one-third of those naturalized.
  • As of March 31, 2025, approximately 536,000 naturalization applications were pending with USCIS.
  • DHS's Office of Homeland Security Statistics estimates that as of January 2023, 9 million LPRs were eligible to naturalize, representing approximately 71% of the 12.7 million LPRs residing in the United States.

Sources:

  • Congressional Research Service (CRS) white paper No. IF12322, "Naturalization: The Process of Becoming a U.S. Citizen"
  • CRS infographic IG10028, "Naturalization: The Process of Becoming a U.S. Citizen"
  • CRS Report R43366, "U.S. Naturalization Policy"
  • https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF12322/IF12322.2.pdf

Read more