Tag Archives: peacetime naturalization

Check the Numbers on Naturalization!

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naturalization certificate

Did you know that in 2012, USCIS naturalized 757,434 LPRs in 2012?  According to 2012 DHS data, of the 40.8 million people who comprise the foreign-born U.S. population, 18.7 million immigrants are currently naturalized U.S. citizens.  This sounds like a lot, but accounts for only 6 percent of the total U.S. population!

So where did our newly naturalized citizens come from, you ask?  Immigrants from the following countries accounted for approximately 49 percent of all naturalizations that year:

  • 13 percent were born in Mexico (102,181)
  • 6 percent each in the Philippines (44,958) and India (42,928)
  • Dominican Republic (33,351)
  • China (31,868), Cuba (31,244)
  • Colombia (23,972)
  • Vietnam (23,490)
  • Haiti (19,114)
  • El Salvador (16,685)

USCIS estimates indicate that 13.3 million LPRs were residing in the United States as of January 1, 2012. This means that 8.8 million or more people may be eligible to naturalize currently!  Are you among them?

To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, LPRs must meet a number of criteria, including being at least 18 years of age, having resided in the United States with LPR status continuously for at least five years, and passing a basic English and civics exam.  For any questions about naturalizing, please feel free to contact Your Immigration Angel!

Did You Know that Your Military Service May Provide You with U.S. Citizenship by Naturalization?

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soldier and flag

You may be eligible for U.S. Citizenship by naturalization through one year of military service during peacetime.  If you served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization, or “peacetime naturalization.”    While some of the general naturalization requirements apply to qualifying members or veterans of the U.S. armed forces seeking to naturalize based on one year of service, other requirements may not apply or are reduced.

To be eligible, you must establish that you:

  • Are 18 years of age or older
  • must have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year
  • must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) at the time of examination on the naturalization application.
  • must meet certain residence and physical presence requirements.
  • must demonstrate an ability to understand English including an ability to read, write, and speak English.
  • must demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government.
  • must demonstrate good moral character for at least five years prior to filing the application until the time of his or her naturalization.
  • must have an attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and be well disposed to the good order and happiness of the U.S. during all relevant periods under the law.