The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. During the last decade, USCIS welcomed more than 7.7 million naturalized citizens into the fabric of our nation.
Deciding to become a U.S. citizen is an important milestone in an immigrant’s life. 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.S. citizenship.
Fiscal Year 2023 Naturalization Statistics1
USCIS welcomed 878,500 new citizens in fiscal year 2023 during naturalization ceremonies held across the United States and around the world. Naturalizations in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 made up nearly a quarter (24%) of all naturalizations over the past decade.
Monthly Naturalizations in FY 2023
USCIS was able to return to normal year production levels for naturalization applications in FY 2021 despite limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and in FY 2023, USCIS production levels for naturalization applications continue to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
The Dallas (4.1% of all naturalizations), Houston (4.1%), Chicago (3.7%), Newark (3.4%), and San Francisco (2.9%) field offices naturalized the largest number of new citizens in FY 2023.
Countries of Birth
Among the top five countries of birth for people naturalizing in FY 2023, Mexico was the lead country, with 12.7% of all naturalizations, followed by India (6.7%), the Philippines (5.1%), the Dominican Republic (4.0%), and Cuba (3.8%). The top five countries of birth comprised 32% of the naturalized citizens in FY 2023.
The top five Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) where people who naturalized resided were (in descending order): New York-Newark-Jersey City (13.5%), Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (6.4%), Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (5.8%), Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land (3.9%), and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (3.7%).
Age and Gender2
More than 39% of citizens naturalized in FY 2023 were 30 to 44 years old. The median age of those naturalizing in FY 2023 was 41 years. About 18% were younger than 30 years old, and 37 new citizens were centenarians (age 100 and older)!
Women made up nearly 55% of those naturalized in FY 2023, and they were the majority in every age group. Twenty three of the 37 centenarians were women as well.
