Many green card holders apply for naturalization as it opens more opportunities.
The United States has naturalized almost 46,100 Indians in 2016, making them the second largest group after Mexicans obtaining the citizenship of the country.
During the fiscal year ranging from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016, the US government gave citizenship to 753,000 individuals and 6 percent individuals among them are Indians, Times of India reported quoting a recent data released by Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to the report, immigration from Mexico is clearly showing a negative growth along with the slight year-on-year decline in the number of total citizenship granted.
However, the number of applicants for naturalization saw a rise of 24 percent than the previous year with 972,000 applicants. The year 2015 witnessed 783,000 applications, which was just one percent higher than that of 2014.
“Indians… more than ever recognize the value of citizenship. A citizen has certain rights and protections – a fundamental right being that to vote… additional job opportunities,” Times of India quoted John C Yang, president of the non-profit body Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “Given the anti-immigrant rhetoric, immigrants are more aware of the need to be protected.”
Even though green card is a permit to reside and work in the United States, many green card holders apply for naturalization as it opens more opportunities.
“We have concerns that applications have been unnecessarily subjected to inappropriate requests for follow-up information or investigations. Often, these involve family relationships or prior associations with employers. Some of these questions have gone back further in time than what we have seen before,” Yang added.