India second top country of birth of new American citizens

12,928 Indians among 661,500 becoming new US citizens in FY 2022

As America celebrates its independence day with over 140 naturalization ceremonies to welcome 6,600 new citizens, India emerged as the second top country of birth of new US citizens in FY 2022.

In Fiscal Year 2021, US welcomed 855,000 new US citizens, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In Fiscal Year 2022, USCIS has welcomed 661,500 new US citizens as of June 15 and made significant progress in reducing its naturalization pending queues, the immigration agency said.

Read: Bill to reduce massive green card backlog introduced in Congress (April 11, 2022)

In the first quarter of FY 2022, 197,000 individuals were naturalized as American citizens, according to the latest Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data.

More than one third of them (34%) came from five top countries: Mexico (24,508); India (12,928); the Philippines (11,316); Cuba (10,689) and the Dominican Republic (7,046).

The naturalization ceremonies between July 1 and July 8 “demonstrate our commitment to welcoming immigrants and promoting the benefits of US citizenship for all who are eligible,” USCIS said.

Read: Light at the end of the tunnel for Green Card backlog community? (September 3, 2021)

“Throughout our nation’s history, the promise of both life and liberty, and the freedom to pursue happiness, is what has drawn millions from across the globe to call America their home,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.

“At USCIS, our belief in the promise of America is renewed daily as we work to welcome immigrants as our fellow citizens,” she said. “There is nothing more patriotic than making the choice to be an American.”

“This July 4, I’m proud to celebrate the more than 6,600 people who have invested their lives and hopes in our nation as new US citizens. Our country will be stronger and more diverse because of the choice they have made.”

The immigration agency also reaffirmed “its commitment to making the naturalization process accessible to all who are eligible.”

Read: India among top five countries of birth for naturalised US citizens (July 3, 2022)

Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, USCIS has taken a number of steps to support implementation of Executive Order 14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans, it said.

USCIS continues to promote and improve access to naturalization pursuant to EO 14012 and the Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization released on July 2, 2021, the agency said.