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A Nation of Immigrants

Citizenship has long been one of the most important privileges the United States can bestow. Each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants
complete the naturalization application process and take part in swearing-in ceremonies – also known as naturalization ceremonies — across the country. Naturalization ceremonies are held in virtually every county and city in the United States. These ceremonies may involve a handful of people at a local courthouse or several thousands at a sports arena. Regardless of a ceremony’s size or venue, those taking part share a common experience as they repeat the oath of citizenship, declaring their allegiance to the United States Constitution and loyalty to their adopted country.

According to a recent report authored by Jeffrey Passel, and issued by the Pew Hispanic Center, and titled Growing Share of Immigrants Choosing Naturalization, the proportion of all legal foreign-born residents who have become naturalized U.S. citizens rose to 52% in 2005, the highest level in a quarter of a century and a 14 percentage point increase since 1990.

Furthermore, the population of naturalized citizens reached 12.8 million in 2005, a historic high that reflects both a rise in the number of legal migrants and an increased likelihood that those who are eligible apply for citizenship. As a result of these combined trends, the average number of naturalizations annually has increased from fewer than 150,000 in the 1970s to more than 650,000 since the mid-1990s.

By 2005 (the last year for which figures are available), naturalized citizens accounted for slightly more than one in two legal foreign-born residents. Among all 36 million foreign-born residents in 2005, naturalized citizens made up a slim plurality (35%) over legal non-citizens (33%) and unauthorized migrants (31%).

Legal immigrants are not only becoming citizens at a higher rate than in the recent past, but they are also naturalizing more quickly. Whatever the reasons for this, it is clear that today’s legal immigrants are signing on to a closer relationship with the United States than was the case a decade or two ago.

According to the Pew report the makeup of the naturalized population has also changed. Immigrants from Europe and Canada no longer are the largest group. Over the past decade, they have become outnumbered by naturalized U.S. citizens from both Latin America and Asia. There are nearly 4.4 million naturalized citizens from Latin America, 4 million from Asia, 2.8 million from Europe and Canada, and 444,000 from Africa and other regions. The naturalized citizen population from the Middle East is a relatively small 26,000. But its numbers grew 156% from 1995 to 2005.

It is for this reason that the League of Women Voters of the United States urges local and state Leagues to attend the naturalization ceremonies to register to vote those new voters – 650,000 each year. Many local and state Leagues already participate in registering new voters on a regular basis at naturalizations ceremonies. In some areas of the country, other nonprofit, non-partisan organizations or local registrars’ office provide this service. Yet, there are parts of the country where naturalization ceremonies occur without providing those new citizens participants with the opportunity to register to vote. LWVUS hopes to expand the number of local Leagues that perform this function at naturalization ceremonies. This publication is intended to assist Leagues in doing so.

What is Naturalization?

Naturalization is the process that confers United States citizenship upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended throughout the years. One requirement is that a naturalization applicant must pass a test on U.S. history and government, and another test on reading, writing and speaking English. Many schools and community organizations help naturalization applicants prepare for their citizenship tests.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), now located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and for establishing immigration services policies and priorities. The USCIS website provides a lot of information including interactive self-tests and study guides to prepare for the U.S. government and history exams.

Types of Naturalization Ceremonies

There are three types of naturalization ceremonies. The USCIS handles two categories: administrative and special ceremonies. Local USCIS staff conducts administrative ceremonies, which represent the largest category of ceremonies. Non-partisan groups interested in offering voter registration assistance at these ceremonies must contact local USCIS offices to find out if and how they can provide this service. Special ceremonies are harder for non partisan organizations to anticipate and participate in. They are typically organized around special dates and have specific agendas.

While some administrative ceremonies may already include the presence of the local voter registrar’s office or other non profits to provide voter registration services, we encourage your League to reach out to the local USCIS office to find out if you can provide this service or partner with other non-profits to do so.

The third type of ceremonies are called judicial ceremonies because judges organize and preside over them. USCIS staff cannot assist with attempts to participate in these ceremonies. These ceremonies are usually administered by immigration judges who are authorized to administer oaths of citizenship to candidates for naturalization.

P.O. Box 10573 · Rochester, NY · 14610
585.262.3730 · info@lwv-rma.org