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Indians second-largest group to gain US citizenship in FY2024
Among the top five countries contributing to US naturalizations, Mexico led with 13.1 percent, followed by India (6.1 percent), the Philippines (5.0 percent), the Dominican Republic (4.9 percent), and Vietnam (4.1 percent).
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).. / USCIS
Over 50,000 Indians became US citizens in the Fiscal Year 2024, making India the second largest contributor to naturalizations. The statistics were released by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a lawful permanent resident after meeting the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
India's representation in the naturalization statistics reflects its strong diaspora presence in the US. Over 50,000 Indians joined the ranks of U.S. citizens this year owing to the "unifying principles that bind Americans," as USCIS emphasized. Among the top five countries contributing to U.S. naturalizations, Mexico led with 13.1 percent, followed by India (6.1 percent), the Philippines (5.0 percent), the Dominican Republic (4.9 percent), and Vietnam (4.1 percent).
The median time spent as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) before naturalizing varied by country. Applicants from India, known for their skilled workforce, often achieve permanent residency through employment-based preference categories, making them a key demographic in US naturalization trends.
Top Naturalization Hubs
Several U.S. states and cities emerged as hubs for naturalizations in FY 2024. California, Texas, and New York topped the list of states, while cities like Houston, Miami, and Los Angeles hosted large naturalization ceremonies. These areas also have significant Indian American populations, further highlighting the community's role in shaping America's immigrant narrative.
Women constituted 55 percent of all naturalized citizens in FY 2024, and over 37 percent of new citizens were between the ages of 30 and 44. The median age of naturalized citizens was 42, with 17 percent under 30.
Naturalization requires applicants to fulfill stringent requirements, including residency, English proficiency, and civics knowledge. USCIS highlighted the commitment shown by immigrants in passing these tests, with a cumulative pass rate of 94.4 percent in FY 2024. “Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is an important milestone in an immigrant’s life,” USCIS noted, adding that new citizens "enjoy the rights and privileges fundamental to U.S. citizenship."
Recognizing economic challenges faced by some applicants, USCIS granted fee waivers to 14.3 percent of naturalized citizens this year. Older adults, including many Indian seniors seeking family reunification, benefitted significantly from this provision.
Overall, the USCIS accepted 818,500 new citizens from worldover during FY 2024. While this represents a 7 percent decrease compared to the previous year, it remains 12 percent higher than the pre-pandemic annual average of 730,100.
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